| A few years ago, there was a Beanie Baby craze | | | | However, with the rising popularity a rise in price is sure |
| that swept the nation. People would display massive | | | | to follow. The attractive feature of a webkinz is the |
| collections of these little bears that could be valued at | | | | code provided at purchase that allows for an identical |
| the price of a small car. Collectors scoured websites in | | | | online pet to be created. |
| hopes of finding that elusive beanie baby to add to a | | | | Upon activation of the online code,the user is provided |
| collection. Kids would receive beanie babies as | | | | with $2,000 virtual dollars in which to spend on the pet. |
| presents only to watch them be placed high on a shelf | | | | This includes purchasing pet beds, toys, food and |
| never to be touched. Some thought the beanie baby | | | | cleaning supplies. Additional money can be earned |
| crazy would never end. | | | | through obtaining a virtual job, playing online games or |
| Along came the Tamagotchis or virtual pets. These | | | | taking surveys. The webkinz site insists this is not |
| things became the latest kids crazy. Parents across | | | | online gambling as no cash money ever changes |
| the county could be seen with their child's tamagotchis | | | | hands. As with real pets, these virtual pets get hungry |
| sitting on the corner of a desk or copy machine at | | | | and get sick at times. If left to go hungry or be sick for |
| work. Schools quickly banned these virtual pets from | | | | too long, the pet simply passes away. |
| coming onto school grounds. Therefore, kids recruited | | | | There have been arguments over whether or not the |
| the parents in helping to keep these tiny virtual pets | | | | webkinz are an educational toy or just the latest kid |
| alive. | | | | fad. When parents take an active role in the online pet |
| Fast forward to today and the latest kid craze the | | | | care with a child, the educational benefits are endless. |
| webkinz. This is a stuffed animal creature that is a | | | | Here a child will learn about all that goes into caring for |
| cross between the beanie baby and the tamagotchis. | | | | a pet in the real world. |
| The average cost for a webkinz is $10 to $15. | | | | |