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.”

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  • Skittles<3

    WOOZWORLD RULES!!!!!  WOO WOO!

  • wallyangelie

    im a girl so i dont fall for the rules

  • caligo

    HI im iyanna and im looking for a virtual world like barbie girls. I misssssssssssssss that world so much :(

  • Plop1711

    TRY DIZZYWOOD IT IS AMAZING MY NAME IS PLOP1711 SO IF U DO GO ON IT ADD ME

  • Asdjlhnasd

    Second life is a good choice, or woozworld

  • gabby johnson

    same thing with penningtonisme i found millons of them and all of them are for adults and teens and the kids ones i found are boring or babyish :( but i am not 13 and i am not going to say my age

  • ravyneX

    u dont need vip. vip just gives you discounts. most people on there with many items play games like zomg or go out and buy the cash cards. u can earn ur way to everything on there. money is not required.

  • Willow

    Habbo Hotel — http://www.habbo.com

  • Hwoolard

    Small worlds is a rip off and is dumb and it has membersl

  • Hwoolard

    I agree BEST GAME EVER!!! TRY IT

  • Hwoolard

    I’m 8 also i luv woozworld but When i started playing Chit chat city I NEVER PLAYED WOOZWORLD AGAIN try chit chat city (ccc) And btw on woozworld send me a friend request my name is sallysara

  • Hwoolard

    Btw plz don’t tell but i am on smallworlds and i am 8 but it’s not bad but i had 200 gold and i logged back on and had 0 ):

  • Hwoolard

    It’s not for newbornes =.=

  • Hwoolard

    Thats for adults, I was on there and some one asked a person how old are u and they said “26″

  • Hwoolard

    Ok I am under 10 but also above 5 and I NEED A WORLD I SEARCH AND SEARCH!! i have been searching for about  3 years and never find any but i have tryed: Woozworld (good game)Chit chat chity (best world ever but gets boring after a while)Habbo hotel (People have been 26 on there!) Movie star planet (cool) Weeworld (for like babys) club penguin (dumb) Smallworlds (hacker) Well i have tryed lots more but IMVU is for teens ): everything is for teens

  • AmyCurran2000

    I’m 12 and i need a good website to go on, i have already tried club penguin woozworld smallworlds fantage (which is bad) and build a bear ville but i want to try another website! Any ideas?

  • AmyCurran2000

    you could try imvu i hear its good :D