Webkinz

Manufacturer: Ganz
Ages: 4 and up
Suggested Retail Price: $11.99 and up
Available: online and at major toy retailers

Date of Review: June 2007

What It Is

You may have thought you survived the Beanie Baby craze, but watch out. Webkinz are poised to be just as popular and elusive.

They are small plush animals—about the size of Beanie Babies—that are collectible. First launched in 2005, they became a bona fide fad late in 2006. The company reports that more than 2 million units have been sold, which is huge for a small toy company.

Aside from being cute, cuddly and hard to find, they all come with a special code that allows kids access to a secure Web site where they can interact with other Webkinz owners and play all kinds of games.

The thing about the Web site that’s so good is that it’s appropriate for younger kids. The games are age appropriate, and while kids can interact with other kids online, they are limited in what they can say, for example.

Once online, kids play in a virtual world, furnishing their rooms, buying things with Kinzcash and nurturing their pets. They can check the health, happiness and hunger instantly. Kids earn the Kinzcash by playing games and other interactions on the site.

Why It’s Fun

Well, first and foremost, it’s a fad right now. So, for kids it’s fun to feel like they’re part of something that’s big in their world.

But it’s also fun for them to explore the online world. This really is classic play—the interpretation of an adult experience like online interaction and playing on the Internet that’s interpreted for kids.

Who’s Going To Love It

While both boys and girls enjoy this, Webkinz appeals primarily to girls who are the ones most excited about collecting the animals and interacting online. There are many other options for boys to do this.

This is definitely for girls who love nurturing play and simple games. It’s a colorful world that’s easily understood and negotiated.

What To Be Aware Of

The purchase of a Webkinz provides a year of access to the Web site when the code is entered. At the end of the year, in order to keep playing , you must purchase an additional toy. Still, most kids will lose interest in the product and outgrow the Web site in that time.

These are very unlikely to appreciate in value over the years. Don’t get sucked into the Beanie baby collectible frenzy!