The Internet is widely regarded as an unsafe place for children to be. Unscrupulous advertisers place inappropriate ads in areas that are easily accessible to children, allowing a child to navigate to a gambling site or an adult-oriented site in several clicks. With the advent and massive popularity of social networking sites, such as MySpace, younger and younger children create profiles where they post personal information and, in the worst case, end up chatting with and giving even more personal information to those who they perceive to be children when they are, in fact, adults of ill intent. While the situation does not seem to be widespread, the amount of vigilance on the part of law enforcement to catch adults posing as children points to the opposite being true. Club Penguin is an online game that is billed as a safe place for children to be when they are on the Internet. Strict child safety measures in place, the game is fun for kids and has been praised as a great way to introduce children to the Internet and social networking.

Development of Club Penguin began in 2003. The founders, Lance Priebe and Lane Merrifield, employees of New Horizon Production, saw a need for a social networking outlet that was geared toward kids. Merrifield has said that part of the motivation behind creating Club Penguin was the fact that he had tried to find safe social networking for his children, but had failed. Priebe had already been developing flash-based games prior to Club Penguin, the first of which, Experimental Penguins, surfacing in 2001. It went offline in 2001, but paved the way for his next project, Penguin Chat. The game would serve as a springboard for the Club Penguin idea, and by October 24, 2005, after two years of development and testing, Club Penguin was released. Growth was very rapid, as the 15,000 users that initially began to play Club Penguin exploded to 1.4 million by March. In several months, the figure had almost doubled to 2.6 million, and continued its meteoric rise to 3.9 million members by its two-year anniversary.

By August 2007, the company behind Club Penguin had turned down several lucrative advertising offers and venture capital investments, but that month, they agreed to sell both Club Penguin and the parent company to Disney. The price was $350 million, and the owners were promised bonuses of $350 million more if they could reach certain expectation by 2009. Merrifield has said that the sale of Club Penguin was intended to provide the funds and infrastructure needed for the game to grow, and that the move was philosophical in nature, rather than a profiteering stunt. By this time, the game had 12 million accounts, and 70,000 of which were paid subscribers, a total that would make $40 million in annual revenue. By April 2008, Club Penguin had become more international, with an office opening in the UK for local support. An Australian office is planned to be open soon.

Before Disney purchased Club Penguin, the entire revenue came from paid subscribers to the game. Although the game is essentially free, paid subscribers can take advantage of every service that the game has to offer, including the ability to purchase virtual clothes for the penguin avatars, decorations for the igloos, and different types of pets. The vast majority of Club Penguin accounts, over 90% according to one figure, are unpaid subscriptions, but the massive amount of children that play Club Penguin makes 10% a sizeable figure anyway. Advertising has not been incorporated into the Club Penguin system, much to the acceptance of adults whose children play Club Penguin because of the fact that advertisements can eventually lead to spyware or adult-oriented sites. An alternative source of revenue for the Club Penguin company is in the form of an online merchandising shop which allows children to purchase merchandise that is related to the game, such as stuffed Puffles, the small, fluffy creatures that penguins can own.

Club Penguin is an online game, which means that children who play Club Penguin are doing so in the presence of others that are also playing. The character that players control is in the form of a penguin avatar, which can then be customized by the player as he or she acquires certain items. Players can interact with each other through chat and can also play with or against each other in various mini-games to earn virtual currency. This currency can be used to purchase in-game items. The Club Penguin world is a frosty area separated into different “Rooms”, such as the Town Room in which penguin avatars can visit coffee shops and dance lounges. Other rooms contain different social environments or mini-games. Game features include emoticons, which are faces that appear above the avatar’s head expressing emotion, collectible items, and pets, which take the form of puffles.

A unique characteristic of the game is The Penguin Times, a free virtual weekly newspaper that contains news about the games and is also interactive with the players. There was also an in-game donation drive where players could submit their virtual currency to any of three charitable organizations. In conjunction with the New Horizon Foundation, Club Penguin donated $1 million dollars to three charitable causes, and the money was split according to how the virtual currency donation went. Overall, two billion virtual coins were donated, which critics of the game have cited as an extremely positive symbol of the game’s encouragement of good behavior.

Still, though, some people have criticized the game because of a perceived embracing of consumerism. Children are encouraged to acquire more virtual coins than the rest of the players due to the game’s mechanics, which some critics cite as a perfect reason for players to cheat at the game. The game has several mechanics in place to deter cheating and those who are caught cheating are banned from the game. Others have said that the games consumerist ideas only help kids to learn how to save money, how to decide what to spend it on, and how to realize the value of work in relation to earning money. Several critics of the game have pointed out that a game oriented specifically toward children is a potential breeding ground for adults that pose as children. In-game language is filtered heavily to take out bad words, creative spellings of bad words, personal information, and other things that should not be transmitted. There is also a core of several dozen game moderators, people that are paid to patrol the game and ban those involved in inappropriate behavior.

Club Penguin takes every safety measure to ensure the safety of the children that play it, and the result is a massively successful game that has proven to be very fun. The developers make it their first priority to create a game that is both entertaining and safe, while also making sure that children realize that it is only a game and that they should take breaks. As an introduction to social networking, Club Penguin is a wonderful tool, since strict chat filtering and a whimsical, kid-oriented world create an ideal environment for children to interact with others on the Internet. If you want to introduce your child to the Internet, Club Penguin is a good place to start.

To understand the American Girl dolls, you have to go back to the very beginning of the American Girl company. American Girl the company was founded in mid-1980s by Pleasant T. Rowling. Rowling, who was born Pleasant Williams Thiele, was born in the United States of America and is an entrepreneur, a writer and a teacher.

The story goes that Rowling was looking to buy a present for a preteen girl in her family but couldn’t find anything that was age appropriate. The baby toys were too young and the teenager toys, such as Barbie dolls, were too risque. Seeing the need for dolls that were suitable for the preteen crowd, Rowling decided to start her own line of dolls – which was the origin of the American Girl dolls.

Around the same time frame, Rowling spent time in Colonial Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg is a historical district in the Virginian city of Williamsburg. Many building in Colonial Williamsburg are from the late 1600s to the late 1700s. Rowling learned about the history of the United States and became enamored by the styles of that specific era. Her time in Colonial Williamsburg would help shape the direction she would eventually take the American Girl company.

By 1986, Rowling had started distributing the American Girl dolls. To gain her first customers, she sent out catalogs that contained her first three dolls: Kirsten Larson, Molly McIntire and Samantha Parkington. In addition, the catalogs contained stories about each of the dolls. The original dolls were made in Germany. However, the production of the dolls would move to Hungary and then China.

From 1987 to 1998, the American Girl company continued to grow. Three more dolls – Felicity Merriman, Addy Walker and Josefina Montoya – were produced and released to customers. The American Girl company would also start branching out. Due to the popularity of the dolls, the American Girl company released a magazine called American Girl. The bi-monthly publication is aimed at girls between 8 and 14 years of age and includes everything from advice columns to updates about the dolls. Other branches include a release of larger 18-inch dolls and a series of dolls (called Bitty Baby) that were targeted to the 8 and under crowd.

The year 1998 marked the next important step in the American Girl company. In that year, American Girl was sold to Mattel. Mattel is currently the world’s largest toy maker and is responsible for famous products such as Barbie, Hot Wheels, Matchbox cars and a number of board games. Since Mattel had been around since 1945 and had become one of the most powerful names in the toy industry, this gave the American Girl company a much better opportunity to reach a wider audience. Mattel had the funding to help spread the word about American Girl and the American Girl company had its niche market that had created many loyal customers throughout the years.

While many loyal customers were a bit hesitant about the American Girl company joining forces with the such a huge company, American Girl has not only survived – it has gotten stronger throughout the years since the acquisition. Currently, American Girl is a subsidiary of Mattel.

In 2000, Rowland retired as the president of American Girl. From 2000 to the present, a number other dolls have been released in the American Girl line including Kit Kittredge, Kaya’aton’my and Ivy Ling.

Another unique aspect about the American Girl dolls are the Just Like You dolls. The Just Like You dolls are dolls that customers can customize. Using over 20 different options, customers can customize everything from eye color to hair color and skin tone. Customers can even purchase accessories for these Just Like You dolls. The accessories include everything from wheelchairs to furniture.

In 2004, the American Girl company took an exciting step into the field of cinema. A television film entitled Samantha: An American Girl Holiday was debuted. The film was written by Valerie Tripp and Anna Sandor, and was directed by Nadia Tass. The film itself starred AnnaSophia Robb, Mia Farrow and Kelsey Lewis and was shown on November 23 on The WB. The plot of the movie revolves are two girls who become neighbors and then best friends.

Almost exactly a year later, another American Girl movie was shown on The WB. This one was called Felicity: An American Girl Adventure. While the writers were the same, the actors were Shailene Woodley, Marcia Gay Harden and Robinne Fanfair. This film takes place during the Revolutionary War period and again features two girls who become friends.

The next year, the third American Girl movie came out. This one moved from The WB to The Disney Channel. Called Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front, it was written by Anna Sandor and starred Maya Ritter, Tory Green and Hannah Fleming. This film is set in the World War II era and follows a girl who tries to adjust to the changing ways of the United States during the time of war.

With three television films under their belt, the American Girl company decided to go to an even bigger stage. On July 2, a full length film will hit the theatres called Kit Kittredge: An American Girl. This 90 minute film is written by Valerie Trapp, produced by Julia Roberts and directed by Patricia Rozema. Starring in the film are Abigail Breslin, Chris O’Donnell, Julia Ormond and Max Thieriot. This film, which had an estimated budget of about $10 million, follows Kit Kittredge in Cincinnati, Ohio during the Great Depression. Initial screenings of the movie have generated a number of good reviews.

If you are in New York, Los Angeles or Chicago, you can go to a store called American Girl Place in your city to purchase almost everything in the American Girl product line. Instead of having to order through a catalog or order online, these stores offer you the chance to purchase everything from dolls to magazines to accessories right on the spot. Smaller versions of these shops, called American Girl Boutiques and Bistros, have opened in Georgia and Texas. A few more are scheduled to open in the next year.

While the American Girl company has grown over the years, it still has kept its caring and affectionate nature toward its consumer base. If you are shopping for a preteen girl and want to get something that is definitely age appropriate, look for the American Girl brand name. You can rest assured that the preteen girl in question will be able to enjoy the product in a completely wholesome way. And don’t forget about the movie, which promises to be a hit with the preteen girl demographic.

If you wish to learn more about the American Girl product line, go to their website at AmericanGirl.com. At the website, you can shop for American girl products, order the American Girl magazine, learn more about the American Girl movies and see if there is an American Girl store in your area.

The most unique aspect about Webkinz is how you can connect to the Internet and enter a virtual world. When you purchase a Webkinz animal, your Webkinz animal comes with an eight digit code that allows you to logon to the Webkinz website and join in on a virtual world.

In the virtual world, you can adopt an online version of your Webkinz animal. Once you have your Webkinz animal in the virtual world, you will start off with some virtual money called KinzCash. To get more KinzCash you can do a number of activities such as play games, answer trivia questions and other various activities. If you adopt more Webkinz, you will also receive more KinzCash.

In the virtual world you can also interact with other Webkinz animal owners. For example, if you can invite another Webkinz animal owner to your virtual house. The interaction that takes place is kid safe because Webkinz has created a chat system in which no personal information can be shared.

Once you accumulate enough KinzCash, you can purchase virtual items to further enhance the online experience. You can buy food for your Webkinz animal, additions to your house and many other items within stores in the virtual Webkinz world. Overall, this virtual world is a nice twist on what would otherwise be a plush animal not too different from the wildly popular Beanie Babies.

The Webkinz animals are available all across the United States in thousands of stores. The Ganz company, which owns Webkinz, has reported that more than two million Webkinz animals have been sold and that more than a million users have logged onto their virtual world.

On the Webkinz website, they currently show approximately 70 different Webkinz animals in their catalog. Here are some examples of Webkinz animals and their physical description:

Beagle – The Webkinz beagle is white, brown and black. While all four paws are white, most of the main fur is brown.

Cheeky Cat – With an orange coat and pink nose, the Webkinz Cheeky Cat is a favorite among collectors.

Clydesdale – The Webkinz Clydesdale is mostly brown with a black main and a predominately black tale.

Frog – With big eyes and a dark green coloring, the Webkinz frog is a favorite for small children.

Koala – The Webkinz koala is grey and white with a big black nose. The belly is white with the rest of the animal being mostly grey.

Penguin – This chubby penguin has a black and white coat with a yellow nose and friendly looking black eyes.

Rabbit – The Webkinz rabbit is utilizes white and light shades of grey to compose the body of this animal.

Tiger – The Webkinz tiger has a very busy design highlighted by the orange coat with black stripes.

Unicorn – A long-standing Webkinz favorite is the Unicorn. Mostly white, the unicorn has a shiny horn on top of its head.

In addition to buying the Webkinz animals, you can also buy accessories for the Webkinz animals such as clothing, purses and charms. Just like the Webkinz animals, the accessories come with eight digit codes that allow you to get credit for your purchase in the virtual world.

Another Webkinz related product is the Webkinz trading cards. When you buy a pack of Webkinz playing cards, you get random Webkinz cards that each depicts different Webkinz animals. You can decide to collect the cards until you have completed the collection. If you have multiple of the same cards, you can trade with others for cards that you don’t have.

However, in addition to simply collecting the cards, there are different games that you can play with the Webkinz trading cards. The rules for these games are located on the Webkinz website. There are a couple games that can be played that are suitable for most ages.

If you are on a budget, there is a Webkinz alternative called Lil’ Kinz. Also made by the Ganz company, Lil’ Kinz are very similar to Webkinz animals except they are less expensive due to being smaller in size. While there is less than half the number of Webkinz animals, there is still a good variety. Lil’ Kinz animals include the alley cat, bulldog, cow, gorilla, horse, panda, pig and tree frog.

If you are buying a present for a child and want to give the child an interactive gift that will provide hours of fun, consider getting an animal in the Webkinz family. Webkinz animals provide a huge amount of entertainment. Not only does the child get the animal to play with, they can go online and have endless fun in a safe environment. Parents have reported that children tend to have a lot of fun in the video game-like environment online.

To get more information aimed at parents, you can go to the Webkinz website and visit the area of the site which is dedicated to parents. You can not only restrict access for your child to certain parts of virtual world, you can also read about how the Webkinz world can be used to help your child learn. Frequently asked questions are available to answer most any question that you have. If you are interested in throwing a Webkinz themed party or cooking with Webkinz recipes, you can also find that information on the website.

If you are a collector, you should also look into acquiring Webkinz animals. Their value continues to rise as the demand for the animal grows. Sometimes, there have been reported shortages when the demand has outpaced the supply. With the Ganz company retiring some of the Webkinz animals, collectors can make big money by selling to others who are looking to complete their collection and can’t do so by buying the Webkinz animals in a store. It’s not uncommon for collectors to sell retired Webkinz animals for ten to twenty times the original purchase price!

To buy Webkinz animals, you can log onto the Webkinz website and use the website’s store locator feature. All you have to do is select what product you are looking for, select your country, select your state, select your city and then you will be shown a list of stores in your city that have the Webkinz animals for sale. Be advised that it’s always best to call ahead to the stores to make sure they have Webkinz animals in stock. This is especially true since Webkinz animals tend to sell out fast.

Do you live outside of the United States or Canada? No problem! Webkinz has begun shipping the Webkinz animals all across the globe. By going to the Webkinz website, you can click on the International section to see if Webkinz are available in your country. Currently, approximately 20 countries outside of the United States and Canada carry Webkinz animals. These countries include France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.

What are you waiting for? Join the Webkinz craze today by purchasing your first Webkinz animal and registering that animal in the Webkinz virtual world!

photo credit: ninjapoodles

• SafeKids.com – There is a wealth of information here so it’s a good starting point for parents who don’t know where to begin. They can learn parenting guidelines for online safety, print out a list of tips and even learn how to negotiate an online safety contract with their kids.
• NetSmartz – The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has recognized the role the Internet can play in the abduction and kidnapping of kids. This website provides up-to-date information on Internet safety for parents and others. This includes providing an array of resource information such as a recent feature on SchoolTube.com, a video site where all of the videos are approved for kids.
• FBI Guide – Think the Internet isn’t really that much of the risk? The FBI would beg to differ. They’ve created a guide that you can read online to better understand what the dangers are and to identify if your child is at risk.
• Think U Know? – This is a UK site that has information for parents, caregivers and teachers.
• WiredSafety – This resource has a wealth of child-specific information to help parents to navigate the world of online risks for their children, including problems related to cyberbullying.

Rock Band is a video game that is perhaps best enjoyed in its multiplayer setting. When playing in multiplayer mode, you can simulate an actual band. For example, you can have a lead vocalist, a drummer, a guitarist and a bassist. By following the on screen instructions, each member of the band performs their role during a simulated live performance.

The great thing about Rock Band is its ease of game play. You can have Rock Band up and playing within minutes. The learning curve is quite low and it can get addicting rather fast. However, it’s also has many other features that makes Rock Band a great present for a hardcore gamer.

Video Game Resources:

• Game Spot
• Play Station 3
• Xbox 360
• Video Game Forums
• Video Game Cheats

At just over a year-and-a-half old, the Disney Channel Original Series, “Hannah Montana” has taken the world by storm, sending teens, tweens and even adults into a frenzy. Clothing, CDs, video games, and scads of other types of paraphernalia fly off store shelves and viewers flock to their TVs.

So why the popularity? In true Disney form, Hannah Montana addresses the daily issues kids face–with a twist. The heroine of the story is a teenage leading a double life. By day, she’s Miley Stewart, an ordinary high school student.By night, she’s Hannah Montana, teen pop star extraordinaire. Only her family and a few select others know her secret. The rest of the world hasn’t a clue.

Hannah is played by Miley Cyrus, daughter to “Achy-Breaky Heart” artist Billy Ray Cyrus. Billy Ray plays Hannah’s dad on the show as well, where he also lives a double life in order to protect Hannah/Miley’s identity. On the show, Hannah has a brother, but sadly, her mother has passed. In real life, Miley’s mother is very much alive and several siblings round out the family.

Miley’s given name is Destiny Hope Cyrus, because her parents believed she’d do great things. The name “Miley” actually morphed from the nickname “Smiley”, as Ms. Cyrus always was – and still is – one for a happy grin.

The Official Disney Channel Hannah Montana Site

Miley’s Official Personal Website

“The Naked Brothers Band” – strange name, huge sensation. Premiering in early 2007, this Nickelodeon movie-turned-weekly-series is a mockumentary that follows the rising stardom of brothers Nat and Alex Wolff, as they navigate tweendom and crazed female fans. The real-life sons of the show’s writer and producer, Polly Draper (of “30-Something” fame), and jazz musician and composer, Michael Wolff (who plays the boys’ father on the show), Nat and Alex have the opportunity to showcase their vocal and musical talents on the show, in addition to acting. All of the songs used on the show are written and performed by the brothers.

“The Naked Brothers Band” series is filmed reality show style, with the characters knowing the cameras are always on. On the show, the boys are being raised by a single father who is a struggling accordion player, a departure from their real home life. Yet despite the different upbringing, the boys are similar in nature to their on-screen personas – lovable, funny and talented.

Season One of the series is available on DVD. Season Two is currently under way.

Official Site

Photo Courtesy of Yahoo News

Children’s software programs for preschoolers can be both recreational and educational. They teach children the basics of reading and math through animation and games, while also introducing them to using a computer. Young children find computer games and activities very captivating and fun.

As kids get older, computer software can help them learn their multiplication tables, spelling and geography. Children’s software is available for children of all ages, all the way through high school.

High school students can learn a foreign language, play logic and reasoning games, learn to type and much more. Providing your children with computer software that is both educational and fun is a good way to keep them occupied and learning throughout the summer months.

Oftentimes, children like to just play video games or watch TV. If you can keep them learning while they are enjoying themselves, it will help prepare them for the future.

• Preschool Software – Computer software for kids ages 1-5
• KidsClick.com – Software for kids of all ages
• ChildrensSoftwareOnline.com – Affordable children’s software and games

This is also the best time of year because friends who have been gone for the summer come home. Everyone is a year older, on a higher rung of school’s social ladder than the previous year. New schedules arrive in the mail, sometimes promising long-awaited classes, popular teachers, or best friends as classmates. New privileges are dished out in school, sometimes allowing students to switch classes for the first time, take driving classes, or boast the prestigious status of eating lunch off campus. Every new year is full of new possibilities.

College students return to their respective universities, once again relishing the freedom of living on their own. New class schedules are chosen, helping students get one step closer to their chosen degree. Friends from all over country and sometimes the world are reunited. College antics begin again, putting smiles on young faces even as they nod their heads in mock frustration. School is back in session!

If you are in school or have kids in school, what are you favorite back-to-school moments? When I was little, my mother always put me in a special outfit and took a picture of me in some sort of victorious position before stuffing me in the car and taking me to school, bouncing and chattering with excitement. What were are your traditions?

The Tooth Fairy ritual is when a child loses a tooth and places it under his/her pillow before going to sleep. In the morning, the child finds a coin or other money from the Tooth Fairy in its place. Of course in reality, the parents sneak into the room at night and replace the tooth.

Believing in the Tooth Fairy gives children a small reward when they lose a tooth and makes the experience less worrisome. Many kids find losing a tooth to be scary. Therefore the idea of the Tooth Fairy provides them with something to look forward to instead.

It also teaches children about having faith in things that are unseen, even though the Tooth Fairy is imaginary.

The Tooth Fairy is one of the many childhood myths, such as Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, which young children believe are true. Eventually as they get older, they discover these things are just make-believe.

Celebrate National Tooth Fairy Day with your kids by reinforcing the importance of good dental hygiene and regular teeth brushing.

Get more information on the tooth fairy, dental hygiene and dentistry:

• Tooth Fairyland – Get a free letter from the tooth fairy.
• American Dental Association – Read comprehensive dental info from the ADA.
• Dental Directories – Locate a dentist in your area from one of these directories.
• Cosmetic Dentistry – Learn more about cosmetic dentistry procedures.
• ADHA – Find fun games for kids from the American Dental Hygienists Association.