Club Penguin
Club Penguin is a Disney-owned virtual world where users waddle around as penguins. They can play games, chat, and decorate their igloos. Anyone can use Club Penguin for free, but many of the features are available only to paying members.
Club Penguin is recommended for ages 7-14.
Webkinz World
One of the best known virtual worlds for kids, Webkinz World is a website for owners of the Ganz stuffed animals, Webkinz. Players can feed and dress their pets, as well as decorate their virtual world. Games vary from simple arcade activities to more educational trivia quizzes. Webkinz can take on jobs, go to school, or just hang out with friends. A purchase is required to access the website (one Webkinz animal provides a one-year subscription to the site).
Recommended for ages 6 and up.
Toon Town USA
Toon Town USA is a website for kids from the Walt Disney Company. Filled with friendly and familiar "Toons," such as Mickey Mouse and Goofy, it's a happy place to be. Your main goal on the site is to protect Toon Town from the evil "Cogs," but there are plenty of games and activities to do along the way. You can play for free, but there are additional activities open to subscription holders.
Recommended for ages 7 and up.
BarbieGirls.com
Designed for girls, this Mattel site is all about the popular fashion doll. Users can dress up their BarbieGirl and take her to the movies or to a cafe to chat with friends. A handful of games allow her to dress up Ken, do her nails and create a song. The site is free, but there are additional features available to girls who own Barbie Girls devices.The Barbie Girls site is recommended for girls 7-12.
Build-a-Bearville
Build-a-Bearville is from the folks at Build-a-Bear Workshop, the stores where you can make your own stuffed animal and dress them up in cute little outfits. This site has some unique games and challenges that make it a bit different from other sites. The site is free, although certain features require a purchase. If you purchase a Build-a-Bear in real life, you can "claim" your friend online, which unlocks certain options. If you purchased a Build-a-Bear prior to October, 2007, you can get an access code at a Build-a-Bear Workshop store.
This site is most appropriate for ages 7 and up.
Secret Builders
Secret Builders is a quirky virtual world, with an emphasis on culture and learning. Imagine conversing with William Shakespeare or Sherlock Holmes as you build your virtual home. There are games to play and mysterious quests to undertake. It's certainly unique in the realm of kids' virtual worlds so far. Secret Builders is currently free to play.
Secret Builders is recommended for kids ages 6-14.
