Webkinz
Virtual plush toy world
Founded	2005; 16 years ago
Founder(s)	Ganz
URL	webkinz.com
Commercial	Yes
Registration	Required

Webkinz are stuffed animals that have a playable online counterpart, 'Webkinz World'. Webkinz were originally released by the Canadian toy company Ganz 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 its owner to play with their pet in the 'Webkinz World' website. On Webkinz World, the Secret Code allows the user to own a virtual version of the pet for online play. There are many types of Webkinz such as Lil' Kinz (smaller, less expensive versions of Webkinz), the Signature collection (larger, higher-quality, and slightly more expensive Webkinz), and Webkinz Jr.; which are aimed at children ages 3-6. Sales of plush Webkinz toys are limited to the United States and Canada, but international users can buy virtual pets from the online eStore.^[1] In 2006, Webkinz had one million online accounts, and according to one estimate published in Wired they made $100 million in 2006.^[2] In 2011, Webkinz made its first commercial on TV. Webkinz was updated in 2015 to Webkinz X, making it more kid-friendly. In October 2020, Webkinz unveiled a new logo, introduced babies and began to transition to a 3D version with more social features.^[3]

Types of Webkinz[edit]

Deluxe Membership on Webkinz! Posted on June 13, 2010 Leave a comment. So I finally convinced my mother to pay Ganz for a webkinz deluxe membership for me! Deluxe Membership is a subscription service that gives players additional benefits for a fee. When signing up for Deluxe Membership, you will receive: Deluxe Membership Hat on first time sign-up. Access to Deluxe exclusive areas, items, pets, and daily activities. Discounts on eStore items. Monthlygift boxes. Free monthly ePoints. Customizable KinzChat phone, speech bubbles, and unique.

There are many types of Webkinz: regular pets, wild animals, mythical creatures, and made-up ones. They all come with codes that can be entered on the computer at the company website. Along with the regular Webkinz toys, there are also smaller, less expensive versions called Lil' Kinz, younger versions called Webkinz Jr. aimed at children ages 3-6, as well as larger, slightly more expensive versions in the Signature collection launched in April 2009. The Signature collection later ended in December 2013. In May 2009, Birthstone Pets were released. One new Birthstone Pet was released for every month. In April 2010, Ganz replaced the Birthstone Pets with the Zodiac Pets. Again, one Zodiac Pet will be released every month. In 2011, CandyKinz were released. In June 2012, Rockerz Pets were released. In 2019, Ganz announced that no new plush pets would be released as of now, but purely virtual pets can still be purchased, accounts can be made, and the website still operates.^[4] In November 2020, two new Webkinz pets were released, starting a new 'generation' of pets. These new plus included two codes, one for Webkinz Classic, and Webkinz, and are only available to purchase online.^[5]

Gameplay[edit]

Webkinz logo used from April 29, 2005 until October 24, 2020. It is still used in Webkinz Classic.

Each Webkinz stuffed animal and Webkinz accessory comes with an 8-character code. By registering this code at www.webkinz.com, the customer 'adopts' this pet in the virtualWebkinz World. Without the code, the user will not get access to the full Webkinz World, but they can create a free account. On January 19, 2011, Ganz announced that Webkinz World accounts would no longer expire, meaning users would not have to buy a new pet each year to renew their account. However, some games, furniture, and other features are limited with a free account. Young adults who had active accounts on the website, have even revisited their pets to catch up on their health as an online trend.^[6]

The Webkinz World is an online play area with its own economy completely controlled by Ganz. The user receives money (called KinzCash) by adopting new pets, playing online games, answering general knowledge questions, and through daily activities like clicking 'I love my Webkinz!', spinning the Wheel of WOW, playing Wishing Well 2, or completing jobs (minigames) available once every 8 hours. Each day, there is a Game of the Day which can be played for bonus KinzCash, and other bonuses are available each hour, full days on weekends and afternoons only on weekdays. With each Webkinz toy purchased, more KinzCash, rooms, and items are added to the user's account.

The online world also contains many rare or exclusive items. Some of these items require developing a friendship with the Curio Shop owner to purchase, while others are obtained by registering other Webkinz accessories purchased in the real world. Each type of pet gets a special item and food available exclusively for them. Also, a Pet of the Month is announced at the beginning of each month. If a person registers the announced pet in that month, they will receive other exclusive items.

Many of the tasks in Webkinz World involve collecting items. For example, recipes are released for the players through cookbooks or one of the TV shows called The Secret Chef. 'Gems' can be mined once a day at the Curio Shop, with a full set of gems being turned into the Webkinz Crown of Wonder and buy exclusive items. A similar feature called Alyssa's Star Challenge, involves users clicking on colored stars to find valuable stars.

Other features of Webkinz include:

The ability to create shows with the Webkinz Studio, and enter to be chosen to appear on the Webkinz TV.
Buying a swimming pool, a trampoline, and a treadmill where Webkinz can improve their health.
Sending gifts or letters to friends on a peer-to-peer network.
Inviting a friend over to one's house, where users can chat and interact with each other and play games.
Participating in the hourly events, which can earn the user prizes, KinzCash, and coupons, among other things.
Brushing, washing, and bathing one's pet.
Cooking and baking, in which users must combine random foods to crack secret formulas and recipes released by the site.
Setting up a party, inviting guests, playing games and giving out loot bags. (a Party Pack costs 750 to 1000 KinzCash)
Playing a variety of games such as gem mining.
Trading items with other players.
Reading virtual books exclusive to the Webkinz World.
Enrolling one's virtual pet in school, or 'The Kinzville Academy' where they can learn and develop skills to help them compete in tournaments.
Decorating pets' home. Furniture can be purchased via the W-shop in the Webkinz World.
Interacting with other players via the Webkinz Clubhouse, where players can play games such as 'Link'd' (Connect four), Checkers, and much more.
Shopping for clothes with one's pet.

Webkinz Studio[edit]

The Webkinz Studio is an item used to produce shows.
The Webkinz Studio generally costs 1000 KinzCash in the W Shop.
There are currently 18 characters and 9 sets. One can buy more from the W Shop.
In 2008, a very strict dictionary was added to secure the words used in the studio.
In March 2010, Webkinz announced that the Studio had been 'enhanced' with more features, including 'slide transitions', the 'who speaks first' option, and character entrances and exits.
Also, the Studio can be found in the Curio Shop on a rare basis for less than 1000 KinzCash.

Membership[edit]

When a pet is registered at www.webkinz.com (or 'adopted'), it gives o

Webkinz Deluxe Membership