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 Golden Retriever
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $4.89 (as of 12/31/2009) 
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Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Horse by Webkinz
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Amazon Price: $19.48 (as of 12/31/2009)
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Usually ships in 24 hours
WEBKINZ - Chihuahua
Release Date: 11/21/2007
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $19.62 (as of 12/31/2009)
List Price: $14.99
Usually ships in 24 hours
WEBKINZ - Polar Bear
Release Date: 11/21/2007
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $18.90 (as of 12/31/2009)
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: $18.95 (as of 12/31/2009)
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Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Webkinz Trading Card Game TCG Booster Box (36 Packs)
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Amazon Price: $34.99 (as of 12/31/2009)
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Usually ships in 24 hours
Webkinz Collectible Plush Accessory Pink Purse
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Amazon Price: $10.45 (as of 12/31/2009)
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Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Webkinz Collectible Plush Blue Knapsack
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Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 12/31/2009)
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Usually ships in 24 hours
Unicorn Lil Kinz
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Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 12/31/2009)
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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?
Webkinz are toy 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 online play for a limited time. To maintain long-term access to an account, the user must continue to purchase additional stuffed toys.Renewal Information
There are also smaller, less expensive versions of the toys called Lil' Kinz as well as larger, slightly more expensive versions in the Signature collection launched in early 2009. In June 2008, Ganz opened the Webkinz eStore, where users can buy virtual items such as furniture, clothing, charms, and online-only pets. eStore items can only be used in conjunction with an active Webkinz or Webkinz, Jr. account.
Sales of plush Webkinz and Lil'kinz are limited to the United States and Canada, however virtual pets can be purchased from the eStore by international residents. Secret Codes issued in conjunction with virtual pets can be used the same way as Secret Codes attached to plush 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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- Dawn_Mathisen_aka_Candle_Dawn Dawn_Mathisen_aka_Candle_Dawn Jan 17, 2009 @ 11:16 am
- Good look at some of the flipside to Webkinz. I don't agree totally but I see your points. As with anything being marketed to our children who always want MORE, it's parental responsibility and the teachings we instill in our children that make them grateful for what they have or spoiled always wanting more. My son loves his Webkinz but it's like all the video games of our modern age...the key is moderation.
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- writertiff writertiff Oct 28, 2007 @ 8:39 am
- 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.
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- wowreviews wowreviews Oct 26, 2007 @ 8:14 pm
- 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?
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- The Webkinz Helper Staff The Webkinz Helper Staff Oct 24, 2007 @ 6:29 pm
- 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
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- dnuttall dnuttall Oct 23, 2007 @ 2:28 pm
- Check out my articles on Webkinz you may be surpised! Webkinz
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- Internet-Marketing-Alliance Internet-Marketing-Alliance Oct 22, 2007 @ 2:27 pm
- 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.
Anyway love the site, I also love the negative approach to it. Awesome idea!
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- Christopher_Scott Christopher_Scott Oct 16, 2007 @ 12:51 am
- Thanks for informing us of this and thanks for posting it in the squidu forum!
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- sonia_simone sonia_simone Oct 14, 2007 @ 10:08 pm
- I live in blissful oblivion to Webkinz!
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- clouda9 clouda9 Oct 13, 2007 @ 12:31 am
- Never even knew about this Webkinz thingy until I read it here! Interesting.
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- Tolovus Tolovus Oct 12, 2007 @ 7:45 pm
- Great Lens! I never have understood the whole "gotta have it" attitude people (children
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- rms rms Oct 12, 2007 @ 1:49 pm
- Great idea to point out the negatives although I believe they are harmless, I also know that too much of anything is not good.
by writertiff
If I can't convince you not to buy, then go ahead - make your parenting mistakes and learn from them - get your kid a Webkinz doll! Tsk Tsk
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