What In The World Are Webkinz

New release Webkinz are hotly anticipated by kids and adults on message forums all over the internet. Webkinz "Sightings" are reported as brand new Webkinz first appear in a store or on Webkinz World. Everyone wants to know what the new pet's special food is. Each Webkinz pet has a special food and a special item. Retired Webkinz like the Love Puppy Webkinz go up in value dramatically once they are phased out. Irrational exuberance? Maybe. But the huge collector market is undeniable.

The Love Puppy Webkinz has hit values approaching and in some cases over $1,000 depending on demand. That's not child's play. Other popular seasonal new releases see demand soar as holidays approach, like the Halloween Black Cat and Webkinz Reindeer. The high demand and limited supply will drive prices up as parents try to track down one of these magical pets for their kid.

So What Are These New Webkinz Pets?

The Webkinz pet is a stuffed animal. That's it, that's all it is. But like the Beanie Baby craze a few years ago, they have everyone going gaga. Released in 2005 by the Ganz company, in just a short amount of time Webkinz stuffed animals have rocketed in popularity with kids. It is amazing that today the concept of retired Webkinz even exists. The craze has now caught on with adults, collectors, and speculators. Millions have been sold, and once retired the secondary market for Webkinz takes off. Like any other stuffed animal, the Webkinz are popular with kids because they are cute, cuddly, soft, and playful. But unlike other stuffed animals, the Webkinz pets come with a code. A kid can take that code and register an account with Webkinz World. The Webkinz World is an online universe where a "virtual" version of their new Webkinz pet will live, eat, and play. It is an addictive combination.

Are Webkinz Safe For My Kids?

Yes. There are varying opinions concerning Webkinz World but arguably it is a relatively safe online destination for your kids. There is nothing particularly different about the pets themselves in comparison to other stuffed animals.

Is The Market Ever Going To Slow Down? Are Webkinz Just Another Fad?

Yes and no. It is hard to say if the market for Webkinz will die out completely. The craziness over them may fade, but the pets are here to stay. It remains to be seen if the prices seen in the secondary market like on eBay maintain support in the long run. As more Webkinz pets are produced and the brand expands we may see values on later retired Webkinz top out at lower pricing than the earliest retired pets.