Everywhere I look it seems that Webkinz are topping the lists for most popular toy in 2008.
What Are Webkinz?
Webkinz are stuffed animals that were originally released by the Ganz company on April 29, 2005. The toys are similar to many other small plush toys. However, each Webkinz toy has an attached tag with a unique "Secret Code" printed on it that allows access to the "Webkinz World" website. On Webkinz World, the Secret Code allows the user to own a virtual version of the pet for virtual interaction.
There are also smaller, less expensive versions of the toys called Lil' Kinz. In June 2008, Webkinz opened its own eStore, where users can buy virtual items such as furniture and virtual pets.
Gameplay
Each Webkinz stuffed animal and Webkinz accessory comes with an 8-character code. By registering this code on the Webkinz website, you "adopt" this pet in the virtual Webkinz World. Without the Secret Code, the user may not get access to the Webkinz world. Toy animals that are missing tags are not supposed to be sold by retailers, and removal of the tags without purchasing the animal is considered shoplifting. If a user forgets a login name and password, they can always go back to the Secret Code to gain access. Without the Secret Code, a user cannot recover a lost account. Currently, accounts expire within one year, unless another Webkinz animal is purchased, and that animal added to the user account.
The Webkins World is an online play area with its own economy. The user receives money (called KinzCash) by adopting new pets, playing online games, answering general knowledge questions, and through daily activities like clicking "I love my Webkinz!", spinning the Wheel of WOW, playing Wishing Well 2, or completing jobs (minigames) available once every 8 hours. Each day, there is a Game of the Day which can be played for bonus KinzCash, and other bonuses are available each hour, full days on weekends and afternoons only on weekdays. With each Webkinz toy purchased, more money, rooms, and items are added to the user's account.
Users can spend their KinzCash at what is called the W Shop, where they can purchase food and clothing for their pet, items for their pet's room or to build additional rooms onto their house, or outdoors areas etc. Users can decorate a room for their pet with pre-made themes, or mix and match their own furniture.
The online world also contains many rare or exclusive items. Some of these items require developing a friendship with the Curio Shop owner to purchase, while others you get for registering other Webkinz accessories you purchase in the real world. Each type of pet gets a special food available exclusively for them. Also, a Pet of the Month is announced at the beginning of each month. If a person registers the announced pet in that month, they will receive other exclusive items.
Many of the tasks in Webkinz World involve collecting items. For example, recipes are released for the players through cookbooks you can purchase or one of the TV Shows called The Secret Chef. Gems can be mined once a day at the Curio Shop, with a full set of gems being turned into the Webkinz Crown of Wonder and buy exclusive items. A similar feature, called Alyssa's Star Hunt, involves users clicking on colored stars to find valuable stars. You can also go to Dr. Quack for a check up on your Webkinz' health.
Some other features of Webkinz include:
The ability for players to create their own shows with the Webkinz Studio, and enter to be chosen to appear on the Webkinz television.
Buying a swimming pool, where you can have your Webkinz swim around. This increases their health.
Sending gifts or letters to friends on a peer-to-peer network.
Invite a friend over to your house, where you can chat and interact with some board games and items.
Participate in the hourly events, which can earn you prizes, KinzCash, and coupons, among other things.
Play Wacky Bingoz, a form of Bingo where you get one, two, and three ball games every day.
Brushing your pets teeth, hair, washing paws/feathers/feet etc, bathing.
Parental concerns
Concerns have been raised about children's use and overuse of the toys. Some worry that children will become addicted to the game. Other parents say that it will only help the kids learn. Some parents have voiced concerns about the website's online chat system. The KinzChat chat system has various safety precautions, with restrictions on who can send messages. Additionally, users cannot type, but can choose phrases to say from a list. Concerns have also been raised about the toys being a distraction in schools, causing the toys to be banned in some schools. Concerns were also raised when the once advertisement-free site started displaying advertisements, previously only for their own additional game related products, but now also for movies, such as ''Alvin and the Chipmunks and The Bee Movie Some of the advertisements promote responsibility or healthy living. There is an option that parents can use to block ads that promote sites not sponsored by or affiliated with Webkinz or Ganz. However, if enabled, this option can not be changed until 30 days have passed.
Shop the complete line of webkinz
products online
What Are Webkinz?
Webkinz are stuffed animals that were originally released by the Ganz company on April 29, 2005. The toys are similar to many other small plush toys. However, each Webkinz toy has an attached tag with a unique "Secret Code" printed on it that allows access to the "Webkinz World" website. On Webkinz World, the Secret Code allows the user to own a virtual version of the pet for virtual interaction.
There are also smaller, less expensive versions of the toys called Lil' Kinz. In June 2008, Webkinz opened its own eStore, where users can buy virtual items such as furniture and virtual pets.
Gameplay
Each Webkinz stuffed animal and Webkinz accessory comes with an 8-character code. By registering this code on the Webkinz website, you "adopt" this pet in the virtual Webkinz World. Without the Secret Code, the user may not get access to the Webkinz world. Toy animals that are missing tags are not supposed to be sold by retailers, and removal of the tags without purchasing the animal is considered shoplifting. If a user forgets a login name and password, they can always go back to the Secret Code to gain access. Without the Secret Code, a user cannot recover a lost account. Currently, accounts expire within one year, unless another Webkinz animal is purchased, and that animal added to the user account.
The Webkins World is an online play area with its own economy. The user receives money (called KinzCash) by adopting new pets, playing online games, answering general knowledge questions, and through daily activities like clicking "I love my Webkinz!", spinning the Wheel of WOW, playing Wishing Well 2, or completing jobs (minigames) available once every 8 hours. Each day, there is a Game of the Day which can be played for bonus KinzCash, and other bonuses are available each hour, full days on weekends and afternoons only on weekdays. With each Webkinz toy purchased, more money, rooms, and items are added to the user's account.
Users can spend their KinzCash at what is called the W Shop, where they can purchase food and clothing for their pet, items for their pet's room or to build additional rooms onto their house, or outdoors areas etc. Users can decorate a room for their pet with pre-made themes, or mix and match their own furniture.
The online world also contains many rare or exclusive items. Some of these items require developing a friendship with the Curio Shop owner to purchase, while others you get for registering other Webkinz accessories you purchase in the real world. Each type of pet gets a special food available exclusively for them. Also, a Pet of the Month is announced at the beginning of each month. If a person registers the announced pet in that month, they will receive other exclusive items.
Many of the tasks in Webkinz World involve collecting items. For example, recipes are released for the players through cookbooks you can purchase or one of the TV Shows called The Secret Chef. Gems can be mined once a day at the Curio Shop, with a full set of gems being turned into the Webkinz Crown of Wonder and buy exclusive items. A similar feature, called Alyssa's Star Hunt, involves users clicking on colored stars to find valuable stars. You can also go to Dr. Quack for a check up on your Webkinz' health.
Some other features of Webkinz include:
The ability for players to create their own shows with the Webkinz Studio, and enter to be chosen to appear on the Webkinz television.
Buying a swimming pool, where you can have your Webkinz swim around. This increases their health.
Sending gifts or letters to friends on a peer-to-peer network.
Invite a friend over to your house, where you can chat and interact with some board games and items.
Participate in the hourly events, which can earn you prizes, KinzCash, and coupons, among other things.
Play Wacky Bingoz, a form of Bingo where you get one, two, and three ball games every day.
Brushing your pets teeth, hair, washing paws/feathers/feet etc, bathing.
Parental concerns
Concerns have been raised about children's use and overuse of the toys. Some worry that children will become addicted to the game. Other parents say that it will only help the kids learn. Some parents have voiced concerns about the website's online chat system. The KinzChat chat system has various safety precautions, with restrictions on who can send messages. Additionally, users cannot type, but can choose phrases to say from a list. Concerns have also been raised about the toys being a distraction in schools, causing the toys to be banned in some schools. Concerns were also raised when the once advertisement-free site started displaying advertisements, previously only for their own additional game related products, but now also for movies, such as ''Alvin and the Chipmunks and The Bee Movie Some of the advertisements promote responsibility or healthy living. There is an option that parents can use to block ads that promote sites not sponsored by or affiliated with Webkinz or Ganz. However, if enabled, this option can not be changed until 30 days have passed.
Shop the complete line of webkinz
products online 
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