Sea Pals World (www.seapalsworld.com)
© 2008 Russ Berrie, Inc.
Following the Webkinz "buy a toy, get a code" model, Sea Pals is a line of ten plush-toys that combine a well-designed online playground with an equally well-designed plush toy. Each of the 12 available toys is modeled from a real fish or sea creature, with selections that include a clown fish, shark, seahorse, blue lobster or sea turtle. The creatures are a bit smaller than a Beanie Baby in size, and double as a finger puppet. After logging into the website, www.seapalsworld.com, children find a virtual version of their creature swimming in its own fish tank. In order to keep your pet happy, it must be fed, and you can play games to purchase aquarium decorations like castles, sand, coral and treasure chests. The fun begins when you venture out into the wider ocean, where you meet and chat with other creatures through constructed chat menus. There are also games found in the reefs and shipwrecks. You earn "Pearl Points" by playing the games, which can be donated to various charities. While the games are not nearly as developed as Club Penguin, Sea Pals World is proof that when it comes to online worlds, toy developers are creating better lures. Created for Russ Berrie by Egencie.com.
$10, Internet Site
Teaches: reading, typing (writing), logic, memory, spatial relations, matching
CTR Rating: 90%