Webkinz - The New "It" Toy

Webkinz. Have you heard of them?

If you have a child around the age of 7, chances are pretty good that you have. If not, let me enlighten you. Webkinz are cute little stuffed animals that you can buy in a store. They have a code on them for a website that you can go to sign you kids new pet up. Once signed up, it is the kids responsiblity to take care of their pet. They can earn "money" to buy things for their pet, can go into rooms where other pets are (I'm not sure if they can chat or not though), can play games and can add "friends". A few observations:

1. It's a good way to teach kids about earning vs. spending and spending wisely.

2. It can become addictive with the games and such. My 5 year old wants to be on Webkinz all the time. This isn't necessarily a good thing and it usually turns into a struggle to get them to turn off the computer.

3. When a kid gets an invitation from another pet owner to be a friend, they accept it because "the kid wants to be their friend." When they get an invitation from a friend, I see it like some sicko is trying to mess with them. And then I have the conversation with them about accepting only friends that they know. It's the same "don't open the door to a stranger" conversation that I've had with them a million times. Half the time, they open the door. groan.

4. It's a great money maker for the company because their webkinz expires after a certain period of time.

5. There is no reason that my niece should have 15 webkinzs. But she does because she keeps getting them for presents. And she wants more. My kids want more than the one that they have but I'm a mean mommy.

6. Um...this is the beginning of the end, isn't it? Next thing, they'll want a Facebook page and will be chatting online with their friends.

Oops. Gotta go. Owen just came in here asking if he can make his Christmas list of new Webkinz that he wants. :)