The Wonderful World of Webkinz

July 22, 2008 by admin

Image by WoofBC via Flickr

In 2005, the Ganz company released a series of stuffed animals called the Webkinz. Today, they are among the most popular toys for children. What makes Webkinz unique from their other plush counterparts is the fact that they have secret 8-character codes on their labels that allow their owners to enter the "Webkinz World" website which is a virtual world that the toys inhabit. The smaller, more affordable sidekicks to the Webkinz are micro versions called "Lil' Kinz".

Like in the virtual world of Second Life, the Webkinz, too, have an online environment with its own economy that is funded by the purchase of additional Webkinz toys, trading cards and accessories with which they can communicate and visit with friends, shop online, pay Wacky Bingoz, buy swimming pools and any number of entertaining and sometimes downright bizarre activities.

Following in the tradition of Ty's Beanie Babies, the Webkinz come in the many species of the animal kingdom including a Webkinz panda, a Webkinz polar bear, Webkins poodles, lions, ducks, monkies and more.