Sweet Be's Candy & Gifts

Sweet Be's Candy and Gifts your
source for New Webkinz Information and Events

August 2006

Webkinz - at first they might seem like your average stuffed animals. But make no mistake. A secret code that comes with these plush pets invites owners to a whole new world.

This place is called Webkinz World, a place where work is fun, playing games can win you money and talking with your pets is possible.

Visitors are increasing weekly, according to the Webkinz Web site, as more and more people log on.

So, how do you get an invitation? By buying a Webkinz stuffed animal. A secret code to this Web world comes with each one.

These toys, which range from barnyard animals and household pets to exotic and mythical creatures like elephants and unicorns, have been popular in Florida and are making their way west.

With the secret code, owners can log onto the Webkinz Web site, adopt and name their new pets, customize an online home for the animals to live, then play games and read stories, which earn KinzCash used to buy food and furniture for their virtual playgrounds.

"It's great for kids," said Susan Larg, "Buying healthier food and playing the educational games makes you more money."

Larg also appreciates the safe chat rooms, where visitors can choose from a variety of comments already written.

"That's what I like as a parent," she said. "Kids can't type anything in these chat rooms. It's all secure. Everything is already written for you."

While the pets were designed for children 5 years old to teen-age, Larg's 16- and 27-year-old daughters love them.

Oldest daughter Heather McDowell owns Holly Hippo and a dog she named Letti while sister Ashley looks after a pig named Hensley.

"I can't keep my 27-year-old off it," Larg said of Heather, who has been visiting Webkinz World while recovering from a car accident.

"My mom said, 'Take this home and try it before we order them,'" explained Heather. "I'm addicted."

Heather compares Webkinz World to the Sims, a strategic life simulation computer game extremely popular with young adults in which a player carries out every-day activities, but Heather said Webkinz are appropriate for all ages.

Pet owners must remember to feed and play with their pets online as well as take them to doctor's appointments and put them to bed.

"The Sims is what, $39 or $45, and (Webkinz World) comes with the stuffed animal," Heather said. "(Webkinz World) is G-rated all the way."

The price is also nicer for children, said Larg. At her shop, small animals go for $9.50; large pets are $14.50. The price buys access to the online game world for one year.

"The price is great," she said. "You look at the cost of a video game; this gives you one year's access to video games."

Larg said sales are slowly increasing in Folsom.

"If one person gets one then all their friends get one," she explained. "We had one parent buy one for her daughter. Well after that one girl got one, two of her girlfriends got one. Then they came in for two additional animals. Once one person plays with them they get the word out."

Periwinkle currently has about 30 Webkinz for sale with more on order, but Larg expects them to go fast.

"Once it hits in certain areas it's big," she said. "You can't even get them in Florida. In Folsom it's still new."

For more information, visit http://www.webkinz.com/

back to Webkinz In-the-News - August 2006