10 Best Virtual Worlds for Teens, Tweens and Kids

Kids are loving virtual worlds.  It seems my teen and tween trendspotters are emailing me about a new one every week! I wanted to review a few of the most popular ones and recommend ones I think are safe.  I also think it is really important for parents to go on and explore these worlds a little more with their kids.  This keeps you into their world and insures that you know what they like (changing rapidly).  Feel free to leave virtual worlds you and your kids like in the comments.

Best Virtual Worlds for Teens, Tweens and Kids

Screen shot 2009-09-22 at 12.59.39 PM1. Wizard 101

Ages: 8-16

Description: “Wizard101 is an online, multiplayer, Wizard school adventure game with collectible card magic, wizard duels, and far off worlds! The game allows players to create a student Wizard in an attempt to save Wizard City and explore many different worlds.”

Review: If your kids love Harry Potter, they are going to love this.  I like that this virtual world is more than just “chat and play games” it has a cool theme and interesting layout.

2. Club Penguin

Ages: 7-14

Description: A virtual world for kids with penguin avatars where they can chat, play games and hang out.

Review: Club Penguin seems to be very addictive for those who play.  I like this virtual world, but doesn’t seem to stick for those about 11.

3. Teen Second Life

Ages: 13-18

Description: “Join Teens from all over the globe in Teen Second Life – a 3D virtual world created by you and for you.  Create, learn new skills, start a business, meet new people — it’s your world, your imagination.”

Review:
This website is much, much edgier than some of the other cartoony sites.  I do not know many teens on Teen Second Life, but it is much more like a grown-up playground with more controls than open Second Life.

4. Webkinz World

Ages: 6-18

Description:
“Webkinz pets are lovable plush pets that each come with a unique Secret Code. With it, you enter Webkinz World where you care for your virtual pet, answer trivia, earn KinzCash, and play the best kids games on the net!”

Review:
A little less Disney polished than Club Penguin, but I like that it seems to grow and change quicker and stay up with what kids want who are in their playing.  A bit older than Club Penguin crowd as well.

5. Super Secret

Ages: 10-18

Description: “This is a supercool and beautifully designed new online social game for kids who are ready for more than Club Penguin but who are too young for mySpace. The game transports kids into a secret world where they can chat with friends, play mini-games, complete urgent quests – and  grow up virtually from 10 to 18 as they collect points.”

Review: I like that this feels a bit older for the tween crowd. It’s also not too expensive at only $30 a year.

6. Toon Town

Ages: 7-18
Description:
Toon Town USA is a website for kids from the Walt Disney Company. It uses familiar characters from Disney to interact with users.
Review:”I think this is great because it lets kids do more with Disney Characters than just watch them on TV or see them at Disneyland. ”

Screen shot 2009-09-22 at 12.59.55 PM7. BarbieGirls.com

Ages: 7-12

Description:
Mattel’s site for girls and their online Barbies.

Review: Although I loved Barbie, I am not sure how I feel about the image it portrays to young girls about how they should look.  Also, I feel like half of the fun of barbie is braiding her hair…in real life, not on the game.  Cool back-up none-the-less.

8. Build-a-Bearville

Ages: 7-18

Description: “Our site was created with many features to help ensure a safe experience for your child and has been monitored for safe play since day one.”

Review:
I might be a bit biased because I LOVE Build-a-Bear and this is the perfect continuation of the Build-a-Bear workshops into the online world.

9. Secret Builders


Ages
: 5-14

Description
: “On SecretBuilders, children will explore virtual lands, undertake quests, play games, maintain a home, nurture a pet, and interact with their friends. Three features which form the backdrop for SecretBuilders distinguish it from other online worlds: Children learn through immersing themselves in the stories, themes, and concepts from the best in literature, arts and humanities. They will interact with famous historical and fictional figures and be introduced to content and characters from world civilization and the great thoughts and ideas of human creativity. They also create and publish their own worlds — writings, art and videos.”


Review
: I like that this site allows kids to upload their own works of art so they are not jsut interacting, but creating.  I also think the integration of historical figures and lessons is quite clever.

10. Whyville

Ages: 7-16

Description: “Whyville’s millions of registered “citizens” come from all over to learn, create, and have fun together. Whyville is their world. Whyville has places to go, things to do, and of course, people to see. Whyville has its own newspaper, its own Senators, its own beach, museum, City Hall and town square, its own suburbia, and even its own economy – citizens earn “clams” by playing educational games.”

Dirt-E Secrets of An Internet Kid

An ebook by Vanessa Van Petten, is a translation for parents about kids growing up online.  Vanessa divulges how kids get around parental controls, set-up decoy Facebook accounts and what situations are most sticky for digital kids, teens and tweens.  She also reviews the Holy Cybercitizenship laws, how to use parental control softwares and reviews the most popular websites for kids and teens.

Review: This is one of the oldest virtual worlds…and it looks a little 90′s .com, but it is still a great website for teen and tween girls.

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72 Responses to “10 Best Virtual Worlds for Teens, Tweens and Kids”

  1. brando
    16. May, 2010 at 1:26 pm #

    why is kung fu panda shut down

  2. tomi
    17. May, 2010 at 8:01 am #

    marapets is cool too zwinky is even better try it

  3. Shawn
    23. May, 2010 at 12:27 pm #

    its the greatest site ever and when u finally get one and have furniture and coins and stuff go to http://www.freehabbocoinhere.yolasite.com for free habbo coins but u must have stuff to get it though omg its sooooooooooooooooo fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  4. lolly
    24. May, 2010 at 8:29 pm #

    hey everyone its me lolly i like two virtual worlds that is cool
    http://www.woozworld.com
    http://www.handipoints.com
    try it may be i help u bye

  5. jillibean
    10. Jun, 2010 at 3:23 pm #

    Come and play with people around the world with Smallworlds.com!!!See you there!!!!!

  6. Kameron
    13. Jun, 2010 at 5:26 pm #

    I’m quiting because of the recent merge of habbo, (they merged with other countries), habbo is a virtual world that you can build rooms get coins, credits are avalible in, target, walmart, 7-11 etc…Hope you have as much fun with it as I did..

  7. h
    28. Jun, 2010 at 5:20 am #

    they r making more stuf

  8. jasmine
    28. Jun, 2010 at 6:08 am #

    weeworld.com fantage.com meez.com is good too!

  9. blablagirl
    03. Jul, 2010 at 9:10 pm #

    OMG!!! i am so angry ! i cant find any good websites! ( i cant get on meez cuz it has cussing) and the other websites seem boring what do i do?!?!?!?!

  10. Julia
    06. Jul, 2010 at 12:00 pm #

    ourworld is the best

  11. ZInnah
    25. Jul, 2010 at 4:48 pm #

    actually i love migo land better than all these virtual world youve said ive played all even though ppl say it doesnt have gud graphics

  12. alina
    26. Jul, 2010 at 8:29 am #

    try these sites for they r the best it think that creat your very own zwinky type this in the google kk and this one http://www.roceton.com and if u want more sites ask me oh and one more site http://www.pixieholow.com hope u like them if u want any questions to ask send me ur comment/question/etc at this email address ameeenah@live.com hope u enjoy these games from alina

  13. maygray
    04. Aug, 2010 at 1:00 pm #

    i need help plz i can’t find any cool virtual games for teens if u find 1 plz reply bak thanxs bye

  14. Sophiia
    04. Aug, 2010 at 7:15 pm #

    I Think You SHould Definetly Try
    Weeworld.com.!! or Stardoll.!!
    Add Both Fluffyluv1.!! ThxxD

  15. mileyk14
    11. Aug, 2010 at 12:13 pm #

    migo land is not cool any more cause i had a player named mileyk14 but later on it said like bla bla bla you need to pay to get on and all that!!! now im on free realms

  16. Virtual Girl
    14. Aug, 2010 at 3:51 am #

    I’d like to stick with wizard 101 virtual world. :) Harry Potter and similar characters always amazed me!!

  17. Mikayla
    24. Aug, 2010 at 3:52 pm #

    Free Realms is really sweet.You can be different jobs and even have a pet.It isn’t just a dog or cat but dragons,horses,tigers,hippos,monkeys,spiders and more.It is for ppl 10 and up but I am 15 and I play it.If you are thinking about trying it go to http://www.FreeRealms.com/ . If you wanna add me as a buddy I am Mikayla Flamingwhisper. See ya there!!!!!!!!!

  18. Tusnami
    25. Aug, 2010 at 10:55 am #

    try clubpenguin it rocks u buy clothes chat get pets puffels play asowme games has ove 50 games try everybody it is so aswome

  19. Tusnami
    25. Aug, 2010 at 10:55 am #

    try clubpenguin it rocks u buy clothes chat get pets puffels play asowme games has ove 50 games try everybody it is so aswome

  20. migolandlovergirl
    27. Aug, 2010 at 9:29 pm #

    its the best game ever play migoland for free

  21. lilly
    27. Aug, 2010 at 9:37 pm #

    try http://www.migoland.com/#/home go there u have to pay if u dont have alot of money i have lots accounts its treysongzlover ,ponygirl ,kara_gurl ,destiny8754 ,popular_girl ,and last at cutiepie. so go to migoland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  22. lilly
    27. Aug, 2010 at 9:40 pm #

    its cool u can send emails to ur friend and alot of ppl love it so go to http://www.stardoll.com/en/ ok thats http://www.stardoll.com/en/!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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