Webkinz Toys and Extravaganza

by Lauri Griffin | More from this Blogger

25 Apr 2008 11:01 AM

This weekend is the Webkinz Extravaganza celebrating the third anniversary of the Webkinz toys. If you aren't familiar with these stuffed animal toys that come with a code for online playing, you can read my earlier review here. For the celebration, many retailers are offering a free Webkinz with any $10 purchase. A lot of the stores are offering free parties with Webkinz themed games and prizes. Our stores here are hosting games like the Wheel of Wow, the Wishing Well, a live Gem Hunt, a Coupon Machine, coloring contests, a Jellybean Challenge, and a fashion "Stylekinz" contest.

I do still think the toy is a fun way to play with long distance relatives and friends. And my children love it. But I do have a few concerns and hesitations about the game. The Curio Shop offers special items for limited times only. And when they say limited, they mean it. A special medieval themed piece of furniture may only be available for purchase on say Tuesday from 10:00 to 12:00. Since my boys are generally in school during that time, there's been more than one occasion where they've asked to me to go online during the day and purchase the special item. The game does a lot of special limited time gifts, games, and items. To me it seems a way of pushing the kids to play more.

I've also been less than thrilled with their customer service. Last winter, one of my boys was in the hospital. To keep him occupied, I let him use my laptop to play Webkinz. He is used to a mouse, not a touchpad. So when the special ribbon of the day floated by, he didn't catch it. He'd put up with blood tests, IV's, X-rays, and nasty medicine, but missing that special ribbon upset him. I assured him that I'd write a letter to the company and they would understand. I wrote two letters and only got a automatic response saying they hoped my problem had been resolved. We've had a few other issues with accounts too, and I never feel like I get a response from an actual person who read my email.

Some of the games are logic based and educational. These make me happy. Some are basically slot machines, like the Wishing Well Two. These make me irritated. They've also added ads to their sidebar. Some of the ads are for drinking milk or eating vegetables, but at least half are for Ganz and Webkinz products.

My biggest concern with the Webkinz toys are that after a year the game expires. To keep your online pet going you have to buy another Webkinz or the account "expires". They also keep coming out with more and more products to buy, clothing for your stuffed animals, mouse pads, trading cards, and even lip gloss. All the products come with codes for bonus online extras.

Still, the stuffed animals are cute, and at $15 a years worth of playing is a bargain. I just advise a little direction as your children play.

Also See:

Webkinz - Long Distance Relatives

Webkinz As a Homeschooling Tool?

Playing Computer and Video Games Together

Learn more about Lauri Griffin

Lauri lives in Colorado with her husband and three sons. Amidst all the laundry and packing of lunches, she tries to keep parenting fun.

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