Prairie~Phlox Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 Just curious.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soph the vet Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 My dd9 has informed me about Webkinz but for now we are not going to get any. I get concerned about the whole virtual reality stuff for our kids. I know some will read this and roll their eyes, I'm ok with that:001_smile:. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Closeacademy Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 It is a serious addiction once they get started. We got one for a birthday, then they got a second from us to even everyone out and the next thing we knew they were addicted. Both girls have more than 19 (24 each but 2 of those are only virtual pets since my dd got them out of a pack of cards). We even get the Beckett's Plushie Pals magazine. Their friends are addicted too. I really think that this video says it all: :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 I voted 8-9, but we might have 10. That's between 4 kids. The baby absolutely adores his, and I use "his" account to send notes to the other kids' accounts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 It does seem like most of the kids' friends have them, but I'm glad we've avoided the addiction so far. I don't allow a lot of screen time, and when I do, there are other things I'd rather they spend that time on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plaid Dad Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 Dd doesn't use the computer, so that makes Webkinz overpriced stuffed animals. She does want one/some because her friends have them, but we've told her that's what her allowance is for. So far she hasn't bothered to save for them, so.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klmama Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 We have one. It was a gift. When my dd received it, I explained how it worked to her and she wasn't interested in doing anything online with it. Why do that when she could make up her own stories for her new friend? She removed the tag with the code number and promptly lost it. She sleeps with the toy, though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samba Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 We don't have any. My dd8 just discovered what they were recently from some of her friends and she really doesn't understand what all the fuss is about. She just isn't interested in them. She does like stuffed animals, though, but only realistic looking ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beansprouts Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 They are fun and harmless. My dd has had them for about two years, and my ds has a few also. I think our family has between 7 and 8, and they usually get new ones for Christmas, so I voted 8 - 9. We are too busy with school and activities for it to become an addiction, but once in a while it is nice for them to play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinag Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 My ds8 and ds4 get them from my sisters and my mom. They buy them for every occasion. My boys are animal lovers and love playing with them. They don't play online very much though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepy Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 We don't have any. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3lilreds in NC Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 Well, I'll come out of the closet - the girls and I *each* have more than 19. Dh only has 4 or 5 of his own. :D We really like them. I don't allow a lot of screen time either, and now that school's back in session, they don't even get on every day. They play a lot with their stuffed ones, though, and I don't have a problem with them. They mostly get them as gifts because that's what they ask for, and they are allowed to spend their own money on them (when they have some, LOL). It's been a lot of fun for dh and me to have something in common with the girls. We did go through a rather obsessive phase, but we're back to reality now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer3141 Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 Oh boy. We have over 100. :001_huh: We all love them. I lvoe the games. The kids love playing with the plushies. It's our "weird" thing. Well, one of them. We do not have the original cheeky dog though. Although I do look every once in awhile. Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenNC Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 My daughter, 8, has 5, 3 from grandparents (one Christmas, one just because, one for birthday), another from a friend for a birthday and one Lil Kinz she bought with her allowance. She plays periodically, but it's far from an addiction (plays maybe a couple times a week for a bit). There are other things she'd rather do with her screen time. Overall, in our house it's a fun, occasional game and does seem to be a bit of a "safety valve" for the shopping desire <G>. She enjoys earning the "money" and "buying" things for her pets to decorate their rooms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Binalina Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 We have more than 19 YIKES! That is between 4 kids. I have only bought 4 for the kid's swap we did at christmas with cousins. We all bought webkinz to swap. Other than that they have all been from friends and family at birthdays or christmas, or bought with their own allowance. My kids did get addicted to them for a while but we only allow 20 min of computer time a day and they barely use that at all now. When I say addicted I mean every day for months they would all use their 20 to play webkinz. My kids also do love to play with the real stuffed animal as well. They use them to set up "webkinz school" and other such imaginary play. They love to build webkinz homes out of cardboard boxes. Overall I'd say webkinz have been fun in our house except for my mild irritation with the volume and I've put a freeze on any more coming in. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 Each of my two girls, 12 and 14 now, have about 6 - 7 of the little critters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diannab Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 I believe the girls have 5 each, so that puts us at ten. :) The girls received the majority as gifts from relatives. :) They do get play time, about an hour every three days or so, but it is not an addiction. I would never let it come to that. We have too much life to get tied to the pooter........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer3141 Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 I haven't logged us on in days. Darnit, my gardens must be dead again! Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C_l_e_0..Q_c Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 There's a problem with the poll... You can vote 16-18, and then more than 19. But you can't vote 19! We have 19 webkinz in the house, and I can't vote. What should I do? Throw a webkinz away with its unused tag? Or go buy a new one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaniceO Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 We have 13 between 4 kids. My 8 yo DS has 1 more than everyone else because he got one for his birthday last year. My kids love them. They play online once in awhile, but mostly they like to just get them all together and have parties. As a matter of fact, that's what my 3 yo and 8 yo are doing upstairs right now, having a Webkinz party. All of my kids carry them around all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elisabeth in IL Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 My 2 older dss have 2 each, my youngest ds has one, and my dh has one (so he could play with the kids). They used to play a lot when they first bought them but now they are just stuffed animals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 There's a problem with the poll...You can vote 16-18, and then more than 19. But you can't vote 19! We have 19 webkinz in the house, and I can't vote. What should I do? Throw a webkinz away with its unused tag? Or go buy a new one? Go buy a new one! Unless you want to give an extra to me, then you could vote. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaMere Academy Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 With all four kids (girls are the only ones who keep getting them now) we have over 60. Seriously Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 Between my son and I, we have 11. Or 12. He may have one I'm forgetting. I love Webkinz and I play it daily. Thomas plays once in awhile. I can often be found playing Smoothie Moves at the end of the day--it's a nice way for me to relax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clane Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 Each of the big kids have four and I have one. My mom also has one, so she can send them gifts. DD5's account is the one I use to play games and earn her money to feed her poor beasties. SHe like spending her cash on mailing gifts to her brother and friends. My poor neglected 'kinz is probably shriveled up in the corner of it's room, neglected. We just sucked my nephew into the webkinz world for his birthday. Hopefully SIL keeps speaking to me LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 Between the 3 kids we have 35! DD has 15 just for herself so far. They don't get online much for them, but they love collecting them none-the-less Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdie Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 There's a problem with the poll...You can vote 16-18, and then more than 19. But you can't vote 19! We have 19 webkinz in the house, and I can't vote. What should I do? Throw a webkinz away with its unused tag? Or go buy a new one? You need to go buy one more so you can join our family in the over 19 club. LOL! I don't even want to know how many we own, ($$). All three of my kids have been collecting them for years so we have a lot. They play with their Webkinz for hours. They orchestrate eleborate Webkinz parties, make jewerly out of pipe cleaners and beddings out of boxes. It is almost like these little stuffed animals have a life of their own. There was even a time they went into storage and took out some white twinkle lights to stage a Webkinz wedding. We still have that event on video. So cute! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen500 Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 I confess that I don't really know what a Webkinz is. I've heard the name though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StaceyinLA Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 because I'd be embarrassed, but, suffice it to say, it is WAY more than 19. 2 of my sisters and I are fairly addicted. I have an adult niece (31) who is addicted. My sisters have grandkids that love them. And hey, we even got my mom (80) started on them last summer and she has learned to use a computer so she could do webkinz - she has about 60 now (and that's not even close to my sister's and my number yet). We all get on speakerphone at night and talk and decorate rooms, go back and forth to one another's rooms, and just have a good time. We LOVE collecting all of the rare furniture and doing extravagant rooms. It's just really relaxing after a stressful day. My son had about 40, but, at 13 has given them up for the most part. I keep up with his account as well as mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenneinCA Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 My dd9 has two webkinz, both cats. My ds7 has one, also a cat. And ds4 has one, still another cat. They have made a house for the cats with cardboard boxes and play cats at least once a week. I can't tell when the last time anyone was on the computer playing webkinz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutmeg Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 Just 9 here. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PameliaSue Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 I confess that I don't really know what a Webkinz is. I've heard the name though. ME TOO!! Except I have *not* heard of them until now.... Do I live under a rock???? My kids have no online time and I really don't want that to change just yet. So I will not be running out to buy 1 or 19.. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crissy Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 We have a grand total of one. My son fell in love with a cute, fluffy bunny when we were shopping for a gift for my niece. It was on display and the saleswoman made a big deal about finding the proper tag for him. He said he didn't need it, and I thought the woman was going to faint. "But you NEED the tag if you're going to play with it properly!" :001_huh: We ended up waiting for her to find the tag because we felt silly for not understanding its importance. Even though the tag was lost between the store an our house, he's been able to play with his bunny just fine. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GailV Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 Dd doesn't use the computer, so that makes Webkinz overpriced stuffed animals. That's pretty much the story here. My kids use the computer some, but they'd play with their real pets and toys in the real world. They have gobs of little stuffed animals and dolls that they dress up and play with. No need to add a different brand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karenciavo Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 Zero here, I'm not even sure what they are. Is it a girl thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenNC Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 Zero here, I'm not even sure what they are. Is it a girl thing? Mostly, yes, I would say so. They are stuffed animals that come with a code that allows one year access to a very extensive website where kids can decorate rooms for their virtual animal, feed it and care for it, play games, earn virtual money to buy things for the animal (by playing games, doing quizzes, etc). They can also do a controlled chat with friends or others who have Webkinz (the content is highly controlled). Most of the kids I know who are into Webkinz are girls, the boys that I have seen are ones with sisters, not sure if that makes a big difference or not. Actually, they were not something I had ever planned to get for my daughter, but her grandfather got her one for Christmas last year and it has proved a fun, harmless diversion for her. She still plays with her toys, cares for her real life pets, plays with her friends, goes outside, reads books, etc :001_smile:. Frequently she and her friends will bring their stuffed Webkinz to the park to play together (you can also buy clothes, etc for the real stuffed animal). Since we only have one computer with web access (mine), she is pretty limited in her access to the website and if she wants another, or something for it, she can save up her allowance. Not the be-all and end-all toy, certainly, but basically a fairly harmless fad as far as I can see. I'd much rather she play with these than Bratz dolls or the toys that make all the electronic noises. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosy Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 DD7 has 6 and is getting 2 more for her b-day, and DS6 and DD5 each have 1. So 10 total. My kids use the computer some, but they'd play with their real pets and toys in the real world. My kids spend plenty of time in the real world, playing with real friends and toys (no pets because of allergies), but they still enjoy Webkinz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kris Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 Well, I'm a zero. What are Webkinz? I know, I know -- Google is your friend. :D Without peeking, I'm thinking these are for younger kids? If they don't blow things up, my son probably wouldn't be interested. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erica in OR Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 A friend gave one to dd last year for her birthday, which brought it to my attention. That resulted in other dd wanting one for Christmas, etc. etc. I was logging into their accounts and using them to play some of the video games, and so got one of my own. Yes, I am somewhat addicted, although I seem to have switched my screen time from reading this board to Webkinz instead. It's a wash. I do enjoy sending virtual "gifts" to the kids and mail for them to read. Erica in OR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer3141 Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 I love that there are other Webkinz mom addicts here. It cracks me up. Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 Boy, I feel so judgemental. I have to apologize. Dd has one, somewhere--she cares far more for her other stuffed animals. I haven't done internet sites with her, yet. I'm finding I have an aversion to popular culture lately--I apologize for thinking Webkinz is somehow icky--I understand how fun it is to be online, and I do feel it's basically harmless, but I don't want to contribute to the consumer mentality thing, even in a virtual way. So, I'm laying down my judgement and just saying what is good for my family and my life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camibami Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 I had to ask DD how many we have now- 26!! They save up for the ones they really want, get them for birthdays, etc. its our "go to" birthday gift, for boys or girls. The neighbor boys all have them, so I am not sure its really a girl thing, at least not here. I don't play, though. They would still rather torture..er..play with the kitten or dog,if they can catch them. SInce they can't, they play with Webkinz. I know the alive pets around here are grateful! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyWImom Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 We have one. It was a gift. When my dd received it, I explained how it worked to her and she wasn't interested in doing anything online with it. Why do that when she could make up her own stories for her new friend? She removed the tag with the code number and promptly lost it. She sleeps with the toy, though! Almost the same situation here! My dd does like the computer, but we only use it for learning games, and those are more fast paced. She loves to use her imagination with her animals, also, so that's more fun for her. So my answer is: 1 with no more coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy in Ky Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 We have one, and we have had it for a long time. But my children are banned from it. They played for a few weeks after we got it, and that was it. I do not like the computer aspect of it, and neither does dh. We do not permit them to play on the computer with the Webkinz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StaceyinLA Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 at those who let their kids use the computer for educational stuff, but won't allow them to play on Webkinz. There is a good bit of educational stuff on that site. There is an entire trivia question section that has math, science, social studies, english, and more. Many of the games require math, spelling or typing skills. There is a word-building game. I mean yeah, a lot of it is fluff, but no more fluff than any other game and there IS some quality stuff on there. The ads show up encouraging kids to get out and exercise, eat healthy, etc. I don't think they expect kids to sit on there all day. It could also teach responsibility with the health aspect of the webkinz. If you feed them junky food, their health goes down; healthy stuff it goes up. If you exercise them their health goes up. It's really just not bad and I can't see why anyone would totally BAN their kids from doing something this harmless. I mean really, is it never okay for a child to just do something they ENJOY that is FUN?? How many of us spend hours each day on this forum when we could be doing other constructive things? What is that teaching our kids about computer use? (And we can't say we are never talking fluff) ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmac Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 Nada single one. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy in Ky Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 I mean really, is it never okay for a child to just do something they ENJOY that is FUN?? Why would you suppose that parents who don't let their children play Webkins on the computer think it is never okay for a child to do something they enjoy that is fun? My children do lots of fun things. But as their parents, my husband and I have said, "You may not do *this* fun thing." We have solid reasons that go along with our family values and the kind of children we are trying to raise. Warmly, Tracy in Ky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 I don't even know what a Webkinz is, but I'm sure we don't own one :confused: Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRAAB Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 I had to ask my dd what a Webkinz is. Obviously we don't have one. I'm still not exactly sure what one is. Good thing: dd didn't seem overly interested in them. Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRAAB Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 I don't even know what a Webkinz is, but I'm sure we don't own one :confused: Bill Always feel better when I'm not alone in my ignorance. Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.