Collectibles Rants and Packrat Dreams

If you are parent of a preschooler you might already have encountered the cute plush toys called Webkinz.

When I explored the toy bestseller list on Amazon.com I found several spots including 2nd and 3rd taken by this cuddly looking plush animals. After doing some research I found out why ‘Web’ is part of the Webkinz name.

Webkinz combine the addictiveness of Tamagotchis with the lovable properties of a plush animal. Kids get a secret code with the plush toy that lets them adopt a virtual pet online.
Kids can communicate with their virtual alter ego of the plush toy and decorate a room for it. Recently the service also added a chat room for kids.

Apparently the Webkinz is so addictive that parents struggle keeping the kids away from the Internet.

The popular children’s Web site Webkinz.com went down for more than 36 hours to the dismay of thousands children across the country.

Webkinz are wildly popular stuffed animals originally released by the Ganz gift company in 2005. The toys are similar to many other small soft toys, but they come with a special code on their labels that allows access to the Webkinz World Web site to adopt a virtual version of the pet for virtual interaction.

“Webkinz World is temporarily unavailable,” said a message on the Webkinz Web site while it was down. “We’re working on making our website even better than before!” Read the rest of this entry »

The American Medical Association just decreed that virtual gaming is so addictive it should be a certified medical condition.

That makes Snow Drop a gateway drug. She is furry marijuana.

She is a Webkinz.

It’s all about the accessories, paid for with Webkinz cash, earned by playing games, answering quizzes and spinning the Wheel of Wow, which looks disturbingly like a gateway to gambling.

(Orlando Sentinal)