(by 7 people)
Educational? On What Level Is a Webkinz Toy Educational?
I'm tired of seeing articles promoting this phenomenon as the next greatest educational toy. With Webkinz, your kids will learn a lot - but it won't be what you want them to learn!
They'll learn, at a far too young age, what it means to never have enough. They'll learn, thanks to savvy marketing geniuses in the back pocket of Webkinz, Inc., that in order to be the best, you have to spend the most.
There's a big backlash building against this Webkinz trend and other "gotta have it" marketing campaigns they produce year after year that make kids feel unloved if they don't get what they want and make parents frustrated when they can't afford - or can't find - the toy their kid's been begging them for 24/7!
Note to Visitors: I created this lens because some parents need to have the downsize hammered into them just so they will be vigilent. If they act responsibly, like I do, and limit the number of Webkinz dolls and time spent online, then there's absolutely no problem with owning a Webkinz. My son owns a Chihuahua and my daughter a pink pony. They love playing offline with their imaginations more than online, but when online, I monitor their time and ensure they're not becoming "gotta have it" kids.
Webkinz Worst Offenders
Webkinz Collectible Plush Stuffed Animals Cheeky Monkey
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $8.34 (as of 10/12/2008)
List Price: $12.00
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Webkinz Golden Retriever
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $10.43 (as of 10/12/2008)
List Price:
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Horse by Webkinz
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $27.48 (as of 10/12/2008)
List Price:
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
WEBKINZ - Chihuahua
Release Date: 11/21/2007
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $9.50 (as of 10/12/2008)
List Price: $14.99
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
WEBKINZ - Polar Bear
Release Date: 11/21/2007
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 10/12/2008)
List Price: $14.99
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
If You Give Your Kid a Webkinz...
Make Sure You Give Her This, Too!
The Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmies
(First Time Books
(R))
While you're reading it with your child (key to success!) talk about the Webkinz site and how they sometimes feel pressured to want more, more, more!
It's up to you to instill good values in your kids. Webkinz aren't evil, but it can be a problem when parents don't provide the guidance their child needs to learn the right kind of lessons on the site.
Do You Really Want to Let Your Kid Loose on the Webkinz Playground?
Talk about bullying! Webkinz
promoters are the worst when it comes to peer pressure and bully tactics. They have your child spending hours upon hours each day on the Webkinz World virtual playground to satisfy their pet's needs and outdo their peers.Spending is second nature on this site - kids don't learn how to save and spend on what's important - they're encouraged to play, play more, and then some MORE to be able to afford whatever it is they want.
How do you think that's going to affect you when you're out shopping and they want something and you say no? They won't understand - "Why not just get more money, Mommy?"
The lesson they learn on Webkinz World isn't that you don't have to have everything, but it's very possible to have whatever you want - if you just play on their site a little longer.
Oh, and if you don't get that cute little cheerleader outfit for your Black Lab Webkinz
? Well then, it won't be as much fun, will it? Thank Goodness Webkinz Are Being Retired!
The only place you can now find some of these Webkinz are on online auction sites like eBay. Good riddance, brain wasters!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Is Your Child Victim of a Mad, Mad Toy Craze?
Give Him This, Instead of a New Webkinz!
The Berenstain Bears' Mad, Mad, Mad Toy Craze
(Berenstain Bears)
Webkinz cleverly developed a system where your kids learn to want more on their virtual playground. What do they want more of?
Well let's just say virtual goods aren't going to satisfy their hunger for long - they're going to want...more Webkinz!
Surpirse, surprise!
Why Are Webkinz the Hottest Toy of the Year?
It's because manufacturers made a special recipe out of selling to this demographic. They combined a little bit of plush toy with a cup of interactive video gaming and a dash of social networking on the 'net.This powerful combination helped make Webkinz
a hit before it even got started!There are already retired Webkinz dolls that are selling for hundreds of dollars on eBay - so they make you feel like the $12 toy is a wise investment strategy for your child's future.
Sure they sell for this much - if they're still in an unopened package. So you try hoarding a bunch of Webkinz dolls in your closet when little Janie's downstairs bawling her eyes out because she saw you buy a Cheeky Brown Monkey
and now you won't let her have it! (Even though her bedroom is flooded with 48 other Webkinz toys.You see, manufacturers have outsmarted the average parent. They know you want to please your kid. They've seen the trend in increased 'tween and teen spending power. They get it that you're not going to let your kid be the only one on the block without a Webkinz in her toybox.
So now they've got you, don't they? You buy a Webkinz, get the one year of access to Webkinz World, and then a year later (yeah, right - more like 2 weeks), you have to log onto Amazon to get another so you can feed the frenzy again and again!
Webkinz Promotes Monster Spending Habits
dolls. How long till you think we see Webkinz cereal on the aisles in grocery stores?
Webkinz Monkey Charm
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 10/12/2008)
List Price:
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Webkinz Trading Card Game TCG Booster Box (36 Packs)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $71.99 (as of 10/12/2008)
List Price:
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Webkinz Collectible Plush Accessory Pink Purse
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 10/12/2008)
List Price:
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Webkinz Collectible Plush Blue Knapsack
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 10/12/2008)
List Price:
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Unicorn Lil Kinz
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $6.65 (as of 10/12/2008)
List Price:
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
As a Parent, What Are Your Thoughts About Webkinz Toys?
Ah, From the Mouths of Babes
- including the insatiable appetite for Webkinz that he two little sisters have. Do you really want to hear, "Mommy! I want that!" every time a new Webkinz doll is released?
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! colspan="2" style="font-size:110%; text-align: center;{}" class="summary" | Webkinz
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colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" {}Current Webkinz logo
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Webkinz are stuffed animals that were originally released by the Ganz company on April 29, 2005. The toys are similar to many other small plush toys. However, each Webkinz toy has an attached tag with a unique "Secret Code" printed on it that allows access to the "Webkinz World" website. On Webkinz World, the Secret Code allows the user to own a virtual version of the pet for virtual interaction.
There are also smaller, less expensive versions of the toys called Lil' Kinz. In June 2008, Webkinz opened its own eStore, where users can buy virtual items such as furniture and virtual pets. Webkinz eStore
Are You Convinced Yet?
Are you going to listen to the advice of many experts against the so-called "Wonderful" world of Webkinz
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writertiff
Jennconn, I'm not against a parent buying a Webkinz for their child. My goal is to emphasize the risks and make parents understand their responsibilities when they do. My own kids each have a Webkinz. But they won't have 50. Posted October 28, 2007 |
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wowreviews
Well, this is sort of shamefully cynical. Advising people not to get involved while also making sure you have plenty of affiliate product links as well. Reverse psychology? Posted October 26, 2007 |
Hi there! Do you like Webkinz? We do! Visit piczo.com/thewebkinzhelper and you will find webkinz recipes, tips, secrets, chat and much,much more! Visit today!
~The Webkinz Helper Staff
Posted October 24, 2007
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Internet-Marketing-Alliance
What are you a bit Tapped in the head these things are the best thing since sliced bread with butter on it, Or spray on butter if your watching your weight. Posted October 22, 2007 |
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Christopher_Scott
Thanks for informing us of this and thanks for posting it in the squidu forum! Posted October 16, 2007 |
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sonia_simone
I live in blissful oblivion to Webkinz! Posted October 14, 2007 |
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clouda9
Never even knew about this Webkinz thingy until I read it here! Interesting. Posted October 13, 2007 |
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Tolovus
Great Lens! I never have understood the whole "gotta have it" attitude people (children Posted October 12, 2007 |
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rms
Great idea to point out the negatives although I believe they are harmless, I also know that too much of anything is not good. Posted October 12, 2007 |
