Virtual worlds offer endless choices to kids today – from
war heroes to a fish in the tank, an angry bird to a Viking warrior, a chef in
a restaurant to a teacher in the classroom, virtual worlds feature all of them
and more! However, though most of these virtual worlds are free for kids, they
have to advance through the game with in-game purchases and bonuses with real
world money. Also, as many parents have discovered the hard way, not all virtual worlds for kids are safe. We have explored all the available virtual
worlds for kids and come up with the best 3 which they would love to make their
own.
Club
Penguin
The very credible, child-friendly Disney runs Club Penguin that is made for children around the age of 6. Kids have to create and customize a cartoon penguin with different colors and multiple outfits, and also decorate an igloo for the penguin with in-game items. While some of the in-game items are available free of cost, some are exclusively available to paid members. The virtual world for kids also has a live chat system that is constantly monitored to ensure the content and that no personal information is shared through it. Though the game has constantly faced criticism for encouraging consumerism in kids, we feel this virtual world for kids is as good or as bad as the others!
Pet Society
Pet Society is not a virtual world for just kids, but for adults as well! Playable through Facebook, Pet Society requires players to be at least 13 and in school, or 18 and over. This feature draws a lot of teenagers, who are bored of interacting with much younger players on sites exclusive to the under 14 set, to play the game. Pet Society players have to create their pet from the basic in-game tools and are given a house for their pet to live in. They can earn in-game currency, simply referred to as coins, by grooming, feeding, and visiting friends and interacting with their pets. The coins can be used to purchase additional rooms in the house, new accessories, clothing, décor, and snacks from town merchants, and can sometimes replace actual cash payments too. The virtual world for kids is always free for players though they may have to pay for in-game purchase of luxury and premium items that are only available in shops via direct pay.
Secret Builders
The games and quests of Secret Builders are focused on actual academic knowledge in domains of science and history. The virtual world for kids features recognizable historical figures with whom the students can engage in a question and answer session. Based on the duration of the membership, there are paid options ranging from $5.95 to $34.95 that give access to special quests and pets in the game. The game can enhance learning and improve school performance of kids, if used properly with parents’ supervision.
The very credible, child-friendly Disney runs Club Penguin that is made for children around the age of 6. Kids have to create and customize a cartoon penguin with different colors and multiple outfits, and also decorate an igloo for the penguin with in-game items. While some of the in-game items are available free of cost, some are exclusively available to paid members. The virtual world for kids also has a live chat system that is constantly monitored to ensure the content and that no personal information is shared through it. Though the game has constantly faced criticism for encouraging consumerism in kids, we feel this virtual world for kids is as good or as bad as the others!
Pet Society
Pet Society is not a virtual world for just kids, but for adults as well! Playable through Facebook, Pet Society requires players to be at least 13 and in school, or 18 and over. This feature draws a lot of teenagers, who are bored of interacting with much younger players on sites exclusive to the under 14 set, to play the game. Pet Society players have to create their pet from the basic in-game tools and are given a house for their pet to live in. They can earn in-game currency, simply referred to as coins, by grooming, feeding, and visiting friends and interacting with their pets. The coins can be used to purchase additional rooms in the house, new accessories, clothing, décor, and snacks from town merchants, and can sometimes replace actual cash payments too. The virtual world for kids is always free for players though they may have to pay for in-game purchase of luxury and premium items that are only available in shops via direct pay.
Secret Builders
The games and quests of Secret Builders are focused on actual academic knowledge in domains of science and history. The virtual world for kids features recognizable historical figures with whom the students can engage in a question and answer session. Based on the duration of the membership, there are paid options ranging from $5.95 to $34.95 that give access to special quests and pets in the game. The game can enhance learning and improve school performance of kids, if used properly with parents’ supervision.
