Virtual Play

The kids have recently been introduced to [safe] virtual play on the Internet. We gave Annah a Webkinz stuffed pet for her birthday, she received another for Christmas, and Sylvia got a BellaSara puzzle for Christmas. They all included access to a special website where they can care for and play with their pets and do a gajillion other virtual things like games, trivia, chat, etcetera.

I actually really like them for the kids! For one, they are not real, stinky pets that are living in our home that I end up taking care of! Ha! But, the kids can "care" for their pets...Annah loves to take her pets (IceCake the white persian cat, and ChocolateCake the brown philly horse) to the vet, feed them, give them baths, and tuck them in bed online. Sylvia can feed and water her horses (Peter and Bella), change their hay, pick their hooves clean, etcetera. So, they can sort of see a bit of what those animals would require to care for in real life, and be glad they don't have the responsibility of actually doing it multiple times each day if they don't feel like it!

And, the sites have taken great care to set up their websites with fantastic safety precautions.

Also, our kids have to earn their online time with their pets. Annah does a minute-for-minute trade of violin practice time for Webkinz time. Works well!

www.webkinz.com
www.bellasara.com