Whyville is a virtual world and networking site for kids aged 6-16. Over 5 million people inhabit the Whyville virtual world, making it one of the most popular virtual worlds on the internet. Through a series of games, discussions, sponsorships and community efforts, Whyville seeks to educate kids about topics ranging from science to art.

As one of the very first virtual worlds on the internet, Whyville has enjoyed an exceptional longetivity. In a field where user attrition is high, Whyville has managed to hold on to its user base over more than a decade. Key to the success of Whyville has been its exceptional focus on user experience, learning, and building a sense of community ownership.

Design

Whyville feels decidedly ancient when compared to the snazzier designs of modern day social networks and virtual worlds like Maple Story or Facebook. The colors and artwork look dated and can be a bit harsh to the eyes. Users accustomed to the Spartan design of Google, or the clean lines of Twitter might feel bit of a shock at the abundant use of color on Whyville. In terms of design, thus, Whyville is a letdown.

Features

Whyville describes itself as “A free website dedicated to learning through exploration and communication”. True to these words, Whyville offers a host of games and roleplay opportunities to learn about a particular topic. As one of the very first simulation based virtual worlds dedicated to learning, Whyville was key to understanding and improving upon the concept of online learning, and has played a major role in molding ideas about how the internet can impact education.

A main feature of Whyville is its “virtual economy”. Whyville was among the first websites/virtual worlds to incorporate an internal virtual currency. This currency is called “clam” and a thriving trade has built around it in Whyville.

Users can earn ‘clams’ by participating in various activities – playing games, answering questions, helping other members, etc. Once a user has enough clams saved up, he can start his own store to sell self-created “face parts” or graphics for others’ virtual avatars, homes, and cars.

Clams can be spent on a wide variety of things – from decals for cars, furniture, homes, to clothing and face parts for virtual avatars. This buying and selling of clams has helped create a thriving, vibrant virtual economy.

The primary focus of Whyville is education and learning. Through a wide variety of games and role playing actions, users can learn about topics ranging from art and history to geography and physics. The use of personalized avatars and a host of attractive characters has lent a mass appeal to Whyville’s online learning and education component.

Other features include elections to select ‘senators’ that teach members about the electoral process, concerts by popular acts like Jonas Brothers and the Cheetah Girls, and a weekly newspaper populated with user submitted stories.

Sponsorships

Sponsorships have been a prevalent feature of Whyville since its inception. A host of private and public companies have sponsored certain games or activities in Whyville. These range from private sponsors like Toyota Scion (after which all cars in the Whyville world are named), Disney, and EMI, to public sponsors like NASA, Univ. of Texas System, and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These sponsorships have helped inculcate strong values in Whyville’s audience of pre-teens through various games and community features.

Website Performance

Whyville is rarely ever offline. Despite its popularity and the large traffic it attracts, Whyville boots up fairly quickly and performs well on even older systems.

Conclusion

Whyville might look and feel a bit dated compared to its snazzier competition, but few can match its online education component. Parents might have to be a bit vary of the amount of safety the site offers to their kids, but with sponsors as respected as NASA onboard, your kids will only pick up some good values through Whyville.

The Summary 

Target Demography:
Whyville doesn’t really have an opinion of which demography they are trying to target, but we think Whyville is probably most suitable for tweens with some adjustments.

Graphics: D
Dated. static and boring.

Educational Value: B
If the chat feature was eliminated, Whyville would get full marks.

Entertainment Value: C
Static graphics make the website frustrating and games difficult to play.

Price:
There are no membership costs.

Visit Whyville at www.Whyville.net.

The above Whyville review was written by a responsible parent and media professional who believes that child safety on the internet must be observed as a top priority. Contact us if you would like your virtual world reviewed too.

Bin Weevils is a fun website for kids that was launched in 2010 by Bin Weevils Inc., based out of the United Kingdom. Bin Weevils began as a short series of cartoons that played on Nickelodeon and Nicktoons. Shortly thereafter, a series of puzzle books were published. The children’s social networking site soon followed. The site is aimed at children from age 7 to 13. This game exists in a virtual world where the members’ insect characters explore, meet new friends and play games.

The name bin weevil is a play on the name of the actual insect known as a boll weevil. This insect is responsible for devastating the southern United States’ cotton industry in the early 20^th century. Much of the appeal of Bin Weevils is due to the online games that members play. The online games use basic knowledge of math and sound judgment. Memberships begin at $5.95 per month; $39.95 for six months; and $49.95 for a year. There is a free membership for children; however, their movement within the virtual world is limited.

Features

New members of Bin Weevils create and customize a cartoon insect similar to a boll weevil to use as their virtual personality. Once the avatar is created, it enters the virtual world known as the ‘bin’ and begins to have adventures by playing online games, solving puzzles and meeting other weevils. Once a weevil successfully completes a game, they are able to advance to the next level. Levels are increasingly difficult, but the more levels a weevil successfully completes, the greater amount of ‘mulch’ (the website’s online currency) they can accumulate to upgrade their membership. Members must keep their weevil in excellent condition or it will be slow to move. Keeping it fit, fed and happy by exercising it, feeding it and buying it accessories allows the weevil to move faster.

A membership on Bin Weevils allows players to become a Bin Tycoon – access to all the premium features such as owning a pet, upgrading their ‘nest’ (home), buying funky hats, access toTycoonIslandandTycoonPlaza(shopping), owning a nightclub and creating their own online magazine. ‘Mulch’ allows a member to purchase virtual merchandise from the online store. Members can get ‘mulch’ by purchasing it with real cash or get it for free by playing games and solving puzzles. Members are able to safely chat with other members using pre-selected words and phrases. Members should be aware that moderators are watching and every member’s behavior is profiled. A ban system that eventually leads to expulsion is in place.

What’s Good

Bin Weevils is a games, puzzles and social interaction website that has a wide appeal. Children from 6 to 13 will find Bin Weevils entertaining and fun to play. The main reason behind this wide appeal is the design of the website. Although the website initially appears to be a site only for children under 10, it quickly can grow on anybody – including parents. The weevils are all goofy, humorous, cartoonish, cute and easy to like. The personalities of the weevils really shine through. It is this easy-going atmosphere that will make children of all ages comfortable with the game. There are no adult themes in the games or on the website.

Children have to have a fair amount of logic to solve puzzles. The games are not violent, do not use trickery or talk down to kids. Even the chat feature (which is a major problem in most children’s virtual worlds) works in a relatively positive environment. It is strictly moderated; language is not only pre-selected, but pre-screened; and bad behavior is disciplined. This keeps away tweens and teenagers who seem to think that being obnoxious online is cool – it isn’t.

What’s Bad

The only problem that could be construed from Bin Weevils is the reliance on buying things to make people happy. As well, there will always be members in children’s virtual worlds who don’t want to play by the rules. Parents should be vigilant about their child’s online virtual friends.

Online Safety

Since online chat is limited to pre-selected phrases and filtered language, the worst part of online safety that worries most parents has been scaled back significantly. Bin Weevil’s safety message is displayed prominently, concisely worded and strongly enforced. All communications are filtered and moderators are watching the site twenty-four hours a day. Most importantly, a member’s behavior is profiled and those that get out of line are disciplined.

The Summary

Target Demography:
A rare time when a wide demographic suits the content and appearance.

Graphics: A
Exceptionally well-done and well-designed.

Educational Value: A-
Children learn problem solving and early social interaction.

Entertainment Value: A+
Enjoyed by a wide range of children and adults.

Price:
$5.95 for one month; $39.95 for six months; and $49.95 for 12 months. Free membership with limited access to advanced features.

Visit Bin Weevils at www.BinWeevils.com.

The above Bin Weevils review was written by a responsible parent and media professional who believes that child safety on the internet must be observed as a top priority. Contact us if you would like your virtual world reviewed too.

Math Blaster is an educational game for kids that was launched in 2011 by Knowledge Adventure. This mathematics-based game is rated for players from age 6 to 12. The company also has another online game called Jump Start that is aimed at pre-school children. Parents who sign their children up for membership at Math Blaster get the Jump Start program for free. As with many other online games, children can play Math Blaster for free; however, universal access to all features requires a monthly $5 subscription. Players download the game’s application from the Math Blaster website and then access the game on secure servers. The game is available in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Although the Math Blaster MMOG was launched in 2011, the game is under a large corporate umbrella known as the Blaster Learning System. The Davidson Company created the Math Blaster educational software in 1989. Knowledge Adventure took over the line of software in 1999 and expanded the Math Blaster brand into a network cartoon series and now as an online game.

Features
In Math Blaster, players initially board a space ship and are given a role as a Blaster Cadet. Players are able to customize their cadet using a Molecular Modulator that allows them to choose the avatar’s looks and species. Players advance in the game by tackling math questions – this allows them to earn merits and achievements. These merits allow players to climb the ranks of the Intergalactic Space Patrol. The game uses the foundation of good versus evil as its main theme. The players are the good guys who defend the universe from threats in space. Players make friends with other players and can chat with them using pre-selected and filtered language. Players can also design their home ‘pods’ and can have pets called ‘mutts’ who live in ‘mutt pods’. Players in Math Blaster are not limited to just one game – there are a multitude of math portals and exercises that players can choose from to advance in the virtual world.

What’s Good
Math Blaster is a low-key action-oriented game that will appeal mainly to boys from age 7 to 12. The game will also appeal to those who need help with basic and advanced mathematics. The company is to be commended for not just appealing to boys. Many of the avatars that players choose from are female or have feminine characteristics. The graphics and design of the game are above average. There are no adult themes in the game. The appearance of the avatars is kept non-threatening and neutral with funky hair colors and space uniforms. There is no drinking, smoking, drug use, sex or offensive language.

Taking mathematics and integrating it with themes that will attract children is no easy task, but Knowledge Adventure has done a great job in making mathematics fun. This MMOG is one of the few that encourages children to learn practical skills. Math is a difficult subject for many people. By providing a tool to make learning it more enjoyable, Math Blaster is a step ahead of other MMOGs.

What’s Bad
Although there is no blood or gore, parents should know that players use laser guns to ‘blast’ their opposition. However, all of the opponents that players encounter are non-living entities like asteroids, targets, UFOs and pictures of aliens. Younger players at the bottom end of the age range may be a bit disturbed at all of the blasting. The avatars the players have to choose from could be a bit more unique. They look a lot like most other avatars on the internet.

Since the history of Math Blaster lies in educational software, the company markets their previously produced products on the website. Parents may be put under an undue amount of pressure to purchase these items if their children become attached to the brand.

Online Safety
With the high educational component involved with Math Blaster, there will be less of an opportunity for inappropriate language and behavior from players. However, parents should be aware of the different levels of social chatting. In safe chat, players choose only pre-selected phrases, emoticons and pictures. In social chat, players enter filtered language, but some inappropriate words may get through. Math Blaster’s online safety message needs to be more prominently displayed. Currently, parents need to click on the Privacy Policy listed in the fine print at the bottom of the web page. No personal information is ever displayed and children do not have to enter their birth date.

The Summary

Target Demography:
Younger and older players advance in the game according to their math skills.

Graphics: B+
Avatars could be more unique but are satisfactory.

Educational Value: A+
High and unique educational component.

Entertainment Value: A-
Boredom is not a factor with the plethora of games.

Price:
$4.99/month. Discounts at the 6 and 12 month level.

Visit Math Blaster at www.mathblaster.com.

The above Math Blaster review was written by a responsible parent and media professional who believes that child safety on the internet must be observed as a top priority. Contact us if you would like your virtual world reviewed too.

The Travels of Wiglington and Wenks Virtual World is an exciting online virtual world for kids aged 7 to 14.

Adapted from a popular children story book series written by John Bittleston and developed by Aldric Chang and Chee Yong – current founders of iPhone app developer Swag Soft, The Travels of Wiglington and Wenks contains loads of fun and exciting games and adventures that promote the spirit of traveling and getting to know the world.

About the Virtual World

In the developers’ own words, “The Travels of Wiglington and Wenks promises an experience in which players would be able to travel to factual and mysterious places around the world, travel through time and space, meet famous people from the past, play dozens of enriching and fun games, make new friends and party with them, buy exotic islands, build culture-inspired houses, wear clothes from different countries, explore secret locations, solve mysteries and puzzles and become a legendary traveler!”

The virtual world is structured in such a way where kids must help famous people from the past regain their memories by hunting for items related to them and bringing them back to the characters. Through this, the kids learn not only about famous historical people, but also great inventions and the world.

Parents can look forward to an educational and safe site for their children where they would be learning about history, geography, landmarks, famous people, inventions, animals and more. And for the children, they can expect hours and hours of discovery and exploration fun.

What’s Good

Some of the features players can experience in the game are the ability to build culture inspired houses, getting to own islands, throw parties, perform a range of cool actions, own various pets, wear clothes from different countries, meet famous people from the past and present and visit famous landmarks around the world.

The selling points of Wiglington and Wenks is the excellent artwork, level of interactivity, strong knowledge coverage, original background storyline and the promotion of history, geography, famous people, famous landmarks, inventions, culture, general knowledge, wildlife preservation and environmental issues. The virtual world features famous historical characters like Beethoven, Einstein, Edison, Wright Brothers, Abraham Lincoln, Emperor Qin, Gandhi, Darwin just to name a few. The players are given the task of looking for items related to these famous historica characters so that they can recover their memories.

Wiglington and Wenks showcases real world countries like USA, China, Australia, Singapore, UK, Romania, Brazil, Africa, Bermuda Triangle and also imaginary locations like Mars, a Pirates’ Den, Mars, a Jurrasic Jungle, a Samurai Palace and more.

Wiglington and Wenks also features locations like Madgascar, Amazon Forest and the Great Barrier Reef to educate kids on environmental issues and wildlife conservation.

Players will be going about the world searching for items, in the process learning about the world and different items found in the world. This also trains their ability to be observant – much like iSpy games. As a reviewer on Common Sense Media said – “Kids cannot help but absorb historical, geographic, environmental, or cultural facts as they travel the world to help these misplaced historical figures.”

The games within the virtual world are educational and fun. Reviews given by kids usually say that Wiglington and Wenks teaches them a lot about history without them feeling bored.

Disney FamilyFun Top 10 Fun Websites	Mom’s Choice Awards Gold Winner	Nappa Awards Gold Winner	Parents’ Choice Award Winner

What’s Bad

Due to the extensive graphics, loading and gameplay can be a bit slow at times.

As with all other virtual worlds for kids, Wiglington and Wenks has its fair share of rude players. Fortunately, it is possible to shut them out with a mute button or get a moderator to boot them if they become too rowdy.

Target Demography: 7-14 year olds
Many parents and grandparents were found playing in the virtual world with their children and grandchildren.

Graphics: A+
Beautifully illustrated 2D representations of world locations.

Educational Value: A-
Kids get to learn about the world, historical characters, great inventions, the environment and more. Disney called the virtual world ‘the perfect blend between education and entertainment’

Entertainment Value: A
Kids have loads of fun hunting for hidden objects around the virtual world and interacting with friends they make online.

Price: 
During the time it was in operation, Wiglington and Wenks charged US$5.99 monthly for a premium membership which allowed assess to more locations, features and virtual items.

Note - Unfortunately, as of 1 December 2011, The Travels of Wiglington and Wenks Virtual World has shut down indefinitely due to heavy server costs and insufficient income. The owners are currently looking for investors or partners to revive the virtual world. At its peak, it was considered one of the best virtual worlds built for kids by many kid players and parents due to its well-balanced fun and educational factors.

The appeal of the website is its vast array of online games that children can play and the social interaction between the members. Memberships begin at $5.95 per month with discounts at the 6 and 12 month levels. As with most online games, a reward system pays players for winning games and completing tasks, and allows them to upgrade their membership and their virtual world. Children can play for free; however, their movement within the world is limited. The website is the base for the game. There is no need to download a separate program to operate the game.

Features

New members create an avatar from the available designs to use as their virtual personality. Players are able to customize themselves by changing their appearance, color, design or accessories. Players need to earn money or ‘shills’ to purchase goods and services in the virtual world. ‘Shills’ are commonly awarded to players when they successfully complete games on the website. Players have plenty of different opportunities to earn their ‘shills’ as there are many different games within each game category. Many of the games are educational in nature where players work with historical figures to solve puzzles; answer scientific questions; solve mathematic problems; and use their creativity with art and writing. Two creative outlets called ‘The Crooked Pencil’ and ‘Build It!’ allow players to post creative writing and suggestions for the Secret Builders website, respectively. Like many other MMOG websites, Secret Builders allow chatting and interacting with other players. Making friends, sending messages and chatting in a social chat room are major elements of the online experience.

What’s Good

Secret Builders is a social website that will appeal mainly to tween boys and girls who are interested in making friends online. There are no adult themes in the games or on the website. There is no violence, drinking, smoking, drug use, sex or offensive language. The membership fee is a good value for the variety and amount of games that are available. The graphics are clear, clean and crisp.

The best component that Secret Builders has to offer to children is the educational element of the virtual world. Children learn about history, science and language arts in a non-confrontational and no-pressure environment. There are very few virtual worlds that enable children to use their creativity as much as Secret Builders. ‘The Crooked Pencil’ and ‘Build It!’ components are innovative and much needed in an online environment filled with frivolous, commercialized websites aimed at children.

What’s Bad

Some of the female avatars are overly sexualized with exaggerated curves, adult-style haircuts and dressed in provocative clothing similar to cocktail dresses. Portraying an avatar as an innocent, child-like character is not bad – what is bad is dressing it up to look like an adult. Parents need to be aware of the potential messages these themes send to their children. These disconcerting adult themes clash with the educational side of the website. Secret Builders needs to decide what is more important: the positive education of children or sending children into adulthood before their time.

The most confusing thing about Secret Builders is that it appears to be two different websites. There is the educational side of the website where children learn by answering problems and gaining monetary rewards; and there is the social chatting side which has nothing to do with the education component. It’s as if the education element exists only to draw children into the social chat element. It certainly doesn’t seem like it’s the other way around.

Online Safety

Although the website has done an average job of promoting online safety, several users and parents have voiced concerns over inappropriate language and content that have made their way through into open chat areas. Secret Builders offers a safe chat mode where children can only use predetermined phrases, images and emoticons. In open chat, filters are in place, but may not catch unwanted comments. Parents need to be vigilant about their child’s online activity and report any inappropriate messages to the website moderator.

The Summary 

Target Demography:
The age range is a little too wide, especially for social chat.

Graphics: B-
Although the design is good, some avatars may be construed as inappropriate.

Educational Value: A+
Learning about practical skills is more important than the social chat element.

Entertainment Value: B+
Both the education element and social element will keep players busy.

Price:
$5.95/month. Discounts for a 6 or 12 month membership. Free membership with limited access to advanced features.

Visit Secret Builders at www.secretbuilders.com.

The above Secret Builders review was written by a responsible parent and media professional who believes that child safety on the internet must be observed as a top priority. Contact us if you would like your virtual world reviewed too.

Poptropica is an educational game for kids that was launched in September 2011 by the Family Education Network. Poptropica is aimed at children from age 6 to 15 and exists in an educational format where children play games, travel and communicate with each other only at a safe level. Though the game’s format remains the same, there is a new game (called an island) that changes every so often. Players are given advanced notice when an island will end and a new one is created.

Before 2010, membership fees did not exist. Memberships begin at $3.95 US per month for one month; $10.95 US for six months; and $19.95 US for an annual membership. Prices vary according to what country a player is from – simply click on the corresponding country and the price for that country will automatically be displayed. Paid members get free access to items in the Poptropica store (but do not own them). They also get early access to new islands. There is a free membership for children; however, their movement within the virtual world is limited. Players can also gain access to special costumes for their avatar and gain exclusive abilities by purchasing Poptropica credits. These credits can also be obtained by completing online games. Poptropica requires a broadband internet connection, at least 512MB of RAM and the installation of Adobe Flash Player. The game is played through Poptropica’s website.

Features

To begin play, new members create and customize an avatar to use as their virtual personality. The characteristics can be changed as the game is played. Avatar names can also be chosen but they are limited to filtered choices to keep them clean. Players begin to interact with one another through pre-scripted chat in multi-player rooms. Chat is safe-mode, meaning players cannot input their own chat – it must be chosen from words already created. Players acquire items for their avatar by visiting the Poptropica store. Most of these items are visual (costumes) but others are special powers (allowing the avatar to become smaller). Once an avatar successfully completes a game, they are awarded a special medal that can be used in the Poptropica store.

The main focus of Poptropica is the avatar’s travels through the islands that are released throughout the year. These are mini-adventures which follow a plot that usually involves players solving puzzles, riddles or clues from past historical events that are educational in some manner. Some of the plots may be too complex for younger players, but since there have been a myriad of islands created, there is no shortage of content from which to choose from. In July 2011, Poptropica made all older islands available to players to play again. There are now over 20 islands to choose from.

What’s Good

Poptropica is an educational website that will appeal mainly to children from age 7 to 15. The wide range of appeal is mainly due to two factors: the absence of graphic violence and non-safe chat; and the educational component and above-average plots of each island. Creating an educational MMORPG that is a success is a challenge because it must be able to hold the attention of older players who are more than used to adult-themed games. For Poptropica to be a success, the educational component must use humor, light-heartedness and a sophisticated but understandable plot. Poptropica has succeeded in these key areas.

The best part of Poptropica is that there is no online chat. When a virtual world says it moderates chat, they are never able to catch all the inappropriate behavior. Poptropica eliminates this sketchy area by only providing safe chat. The graphics and design of the website and the islands are excellent. The easy-going personalities of the avatars will be comfortable with all players. There are no adult themes in the games or on the website. There is no drinking, smoking, drug use, sex or offensive language. Violence is minimal to none and the scariest thing a child will encounter is a spider.

What’s Bad

Acquiring merchandise for their avatars and toys outside the game may be an issue, but the positives far outweigh this minor negative.

Online Safety

The part of all virtual worlds that get negative marks is online chat. The owners of Poptropica have wisely decided not to go down this path. The only chat available is safe, pre-scripted chat. No personal information about children is ever collected and since there is no chat, it is never shared. A parent is in control when paying and renewing a membership. The safety policy is prominently displayed and written plainly.

The Summary 

Target Demography:
Poptropica has a wide age range.

Graphics: A
Age-appropriate and well-designed.

Educational Value: A+
Children learn cooperation and problem solving.

Entertainment Value: A
Excellent variety of games will keep players entertained.

Price:
$3.95 for one month; $10.95 for six months; and $19.95 for 12 months. Free membership with limited access to advanced features.

Visit Poptropica at www.poptropica.com.

The above Poptropica review was written by a responsible parent and media professional who believes that child safety on the internet must be observed as a top priority. Contact us if you would like your virtual world reviewed too.

If making music and making new friends summarizes your child’s interests, Frank Town Rocks is an online virtual world for kids where he can do both.  To address the parent’s main concern, Frank Town Rocks is a safe place where your youngster can interact with other children and have loads of fun.

Frank Town Rocks does not require any installations, and is completely free.  The site also has a very strict anti-bullying policy, so your child will know that he is in a good place where the focus is on having a good time and meeting new friends.  There are chat and mail features for your child to interact with other Frank Town Rocks members.

While your youngster is likely to be more focused on how much fun Frank Town Rocks is, it is also an educational experience.  One of the main purposes of Frank Town Rocks is help children to see how much they can gain from learning about music and playing musical instruments.  Whether your child has music education in his school or not, this virtual world for kids will enhance his experience in the most enjoyable way possible.

The Frank Town Rocks site is very easy to navigate.  In addition to making music, your child can find beautiful wallpapers, buddy icons, and other safe downloadables.  There is also a variety of games for him to play.  The Frank Town Rocks Site Map is the easiest way for a new member to gain information and find whatever he is looking for on the site.

Although anyone can play on Frank Town Rocks, there are a number of features which require membership.  There are monthly, yearly, and other options for membership.  It is up to the parent to decide whether you want your youngster to utilize a site which encourages him to become a paid member in order to enjoy all of the benefits of Frank Town Rocks.  In addition to encouraging paid membership, the site also has a link to purchase iTunes.  While Frank Town Rocks is a safe site for children, it should be recommended that parents make the decision and discuss this issue with their youngsters prior to allowing them to participate in Frank Town Rocks.

Visit Frank Town Rocks at www.franktownrocks.com.

The above Frank Town Rocks review was written by a responsible parent and media professional who believes that child safety on the internet must be observed as a top priority. Contact us if you would like your virtual world reviewed too.

Along with other virtual community members, “Hoofy” and “Boo” are your child’s guides to Minyan Land.  Known as “the critters,” these virtual community members assist your child in learning about and participating in Minyan Land.

In Minyan Land, your child can learn about earning, saving, and investing money.  As the main focus of the site, it teaches him the values of responsibility, economy, fairness, and common sense.  There are more than a dozen games in Minyan Land where you child can play to earn money.  In the Minyan Land Mall, even the youngest child can learn how to shop wisely.  All of these are values which, upon being learned in this free online virtual world, your child can carry into the real world and his everyday life.  There are few other virtual worlds which offer so much to kids of all ages.

There are no costs attached to the use of Minyan Land.  Any child can play as long as he wants, as often as he wishes, without paying any kind of membership fees.  Upon registering for Minyan Land, he can begin by creating his very own critter.  His new critter will be the basis for his experiences and trips through the Minyan Land community.

There are not many virtual worlds for kids that are completely free.  Most either require or encourage a paid membership in order to enjoy all of their benefits.  The absence of this factor is one plus for Minyan Land.  The wonderful range of learning open to your child is another.  He can learn skills and values which will be very helpful to him in real life, while having lots of fun at the same time.  Minyan Land is one of the very best virtual world for kids available today.

Visit MinyanLand at www.minyanland.com.

The above MinyanLand review was written by a responsible parent and media professional who believes that child safety on the internet must be observed as a top priority. Contact us if you would like your virtual world reviewed too.