I know Trina is up on this topic, and I believe others have kids who have these things. I don't know anything about them, but the prices on Amazon were pretty high I think!! What do you DO with them? Do you have to be near a computer for it to do anything? Best place to buy? Any info you have would be great as I'm totally clueless!! OH, and what age group??

By Marcia on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - 10:57 am:

They are just little stuffed animals, sort of like beanie babies. The animals themselves don't do anything. They each have a code on the tag, which allows the kids to get onto the website to play games. My girls love them, but they aren't as excited about them as they were when they first came out.

By Kate on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - 11:22 am:

The animals don't do anything?? They don't move or talk or anything? And they're as small as Beanies? I don't understand the appeal then...why the need for a stuffed version of an online animal?

By Trina~moderator on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - 11:54 am:

Ditto Marcia. Webkinz are regular stuffed animals, but they have a code that you enter into the Webkinz web site, where there is a virtual version of the animal. Lilkinz are smaller versions of the Webkinz. The kids get to pick the gender and name them. Then they play games and earn cash to buy food and furniture, etc. for their virtual pets. They're bigger than Beanie babies. My DD and her friends love to play with the stuffed animals and do the web site stuff. For example, DD and the little girl next door have playdates and bring their Webkinz to each other's houses and play school and house with them. LOL! It has been a positive experience, or I wouldn't allow it. DD has bought most of them with her own money that she has saved from her allowance. They are getting very hard to find because they are in popular demand. I refuse to go nuts looking for them as some people do.

By Trina~moderator on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - 11:58 am:

You can take a tour and learn more here:

Webkinz.com

I'd say the age range is 5-12 and older?? DS (10) has two, but he doesn't advertise that. LOL!

By Conni on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 06:36 pm:

Blake has a Webkinz. He has the best time playing games online and earning things to *care* for his animal. He also carries his animal around, sleeps with it, etc...his older brother(13)often helps him play the games. lol

By Mommyof5 on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 09:55 pm:

The prices on Amazon are about double what they are in the stores. The problem though it that the stores in my area can't seem to keep them in stock and are having a hard time with the company being able to supply them. You can find them here at Hallmark Stores and Four Star Drug Stores. My dd bought two of the larger ones (not the Lil' kinz) for 10.98 each.

By Kate on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 10:49 pm:

Thanks guys. I think I'll pass on them. I thought the animals themselves interacted somehow. Oh well!