1. Barbie Girls
Barbie Girls is a spot for girls to connect with each other online. Girls can style their own avatar, decorate their virtual room and earn "B Bucks" for playing various games. Barbie Girls also allows you to walk around and meet other members. The site can be a bit slow to load, but the different areas are colorful and imaginative. The games are standard fare. This site will most appeal to your girly-girls who enjoy talk of makeovers and boys.
Recommended Ages: 8-15
Cost: Free for basic membership, $5.99/month for VIP (multi-month discounts available)
Other: Girls who own Barbie Girls devices can unlock special features like clothes and a "Best Friend" chat.
2. Disney's Pixie Hollow
Disney's Pixie Hollow is a magical place where girls can design their own fairy avatars and flit about through the forest collecting berries and nuts or earning special badges. There are unique games and plenty of special events and activities to take part in as well. Girls can decorate their own rooms and invite friends to chat.
Recommended Ages: 5-12
Cost: Free to use, $5.95/month for a membership (multi-month discounts available)
Other: Expect pressure from your little fairy for a membership; girls who aren't paying members are blocked from buying their own clothes and furniture. You may also receive pressure to purchase Pixie Hollow Clickables toys that unlock special items online (although they do not come with membership privileges).
3. Ty Girlz
Ty Girlz is a glitz and glam virtual world geared at tween and teen fashionistas. Purchase a Ty Girlz doll to unlock access to a world of fab apartments, makeovers and clothes. Chat with friends, play games to earn cash and then head to the mall to shop. The games are standard fare for online communities.
Recommended Ages: 10-15
Cost: Free with purchase of a Ty Girlz doll.
Other: Ty Girlz have been known to wear very short and/or belly-baring clothing, body piercings, prominent makeup and colored hair. Some moms may have problems with the customization options.
4. Bella Sara
Bella Sara isn't the same type of virtual world as others on this list and it isn't only designed for girls. But, since it has a definite girl appeal and a virtual world appeal, I'm including it here as another option. To unlock Bella Sara, you purchase collector cards (similar to other card collecting games) that allow you to adopt your own horses and purchase other fun virtual items. Girls can groom, feed, and train their horses, and play cool games. Bella Sara is a nice alternative to girls who are less interested in fashion and makeup.
Recommended Ages: 5-12
Cost: Unlock horses with collector cards that cost a couple of dollars per pack.
Other: Bella Sara has a whole line of products including books, video games and craft kits.
