Lil' Kinz - They are Webkinz but smaller
Written: Sep 28 '07 (Updated Sep 29 '07)
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Pros: They are smaller and cheaper than Webkinz granting full webkinz access.
Cons: Webkinz can be addicting
The Bottom Line: The Lil' Kinz are a more affordable way to expand your webkinz collection
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| marytara's Full Review: Webkinz Lil' Kinz |
Webkinz are a popular craze with lots of kids (and adults alike) right now. I know, because somehow we've turned into a webkinz family. My son takes his frog webkinz 'clan' with him in the car and even seatbelts them in. He wants them to sit at the dinner table with us, but for that I draw the line. Well, if you've seen Webkinz on the shelves at your local gift shop or cardstore, you may also have seen the Lil' Kinz collection. If you aren't familiar with the Webkinz craze - think along the lines of beanie babies with a virtual twist. Webkinz come with special activation codes that you go online with to the "Webkinz World" where you create and decorate a house for your pet, play games, and more. The plushes come in just about every animal under the sun. Webkinz has made stuffed animals popular again!
What's the difference between Webkinz and Lil' Kinz?
Lil' Kinz, from the makers of Webkinz - Ganz, are a smaller version of Webkinz. Just like Webkinz they come with a code with which you can go online and play in the virtual Webkinz World at www.webkinz.com. The Lil' Kinz look just like Webkinz in a miniature version. For example, where a webkinz might be a 8-10 inch plush they are about half of the size (4-6 inches). Because the plush toys are smaller they are also priced at a lower point. Now, because Webkinz pricing is up to the merchant the prices may vary where you live. But, by me - at most stores you can find Webkinz from $12.99-14.99 and the smaller Lil' Kinz for $9.99-11.99 depending on the store. The plushes are surface washable and they are recommended for ages 3 and up.
When I first saw these Lil' Kinz I thought these 'baby versions' were absolutely adorable. But, I had a lot of questions about them. I'd read a few reviews that suggested that perhaps the Lil' Kinz had lesser capabilities on the Webkinz World so I was a bit hesitant to purchase them. My kids really wanted these "baby" webkinz though, so I picked up 2 of them.
The Truth about Lil' Kinz
1. Adopting a Lil' Kinz will grant you full access to the Webkinz World when you sign them on using their special code.
Anything that you can do with a Webkinz you can also do with your Lil' Kinz. Just as the Lil' Kinz plush is smaller than a Webkinz in real life, it shows up in Webkinz world smaller as well. Because it is smaller and its legs are smaller, your Lil' Kinz will appear to move quicker across your screen. Any activities in the Webkinz world that you can access with a Webkinz you can also access with a Lil' Kinz. You need to take care of (feed, bathe, and put to sleep) your Lil' Kinz just the same. You have all the same access to games, tournaments, chat, clubhouse and visiting other webkinz homes.
2. Lil' Kinz come with the exact same pet special items in Webkinz World as their full size Webkinz partner.
For example, when you sign on a Webkinz Frog one of the virtual adoption gifts that you get is the Lily Pad Waterbed. If you sign on a Lil' Kinz Frog you will also get this same Lily Pad Waterbed.
Tip: Ganz has retired a few of the Webkinz, but there are Lil' Kinz available in the same animal. For example, the Unicorn Webkinz is retired and hard to find unless you want to pay quite a bit for it. Stores around here are charging over well over $50 for it. My daughter loves her Webkinz pink pony and I knew she would like a unicorn. But, there was no way that I was going to spend that type of money on it. Instead I picked her up a Lil' Kinz unicorn because its the same thing, just smaller. In the Webkinz world it comes with the same Magical Meadow Bed.
3. In the Webkinz World, the Lil' Kinz like to eat the same Pet Special Food items as their full size Webkinz partner, also.
When you adopt a Webkinz you automatically get one of their "pet special food" items added to your dock as a welcome/adoption gift. These food items are their most favorite food and can be purchased for your pet (along with other foods) at the W-shop. These pet special foods are higher priced at 25 kinzcash a pop. You can only purchase these pet special foods for pets that you have adopted in the world. So, if you don't have a black cat then you don't have access to purchase the "fried batcakes" dish - it will not even show up in the W-shop in the food category as an option.
As it turns out the Lil' Kinz and the Webkinz pet special foods are the same. For example the Frog and the Lil' Kinz frog both eat Buggy Jelly. The Unicorn and the Lil' Kinz Unicorn both like to eat the Sparkling Fower Fondue, and so on and so forth.
So, should I purchase a Lil' Kinz or a Webkinz?
Some people exclusively collect full size Webkinz, and others love the Lil' Kinz. Others, like me - love both. My children (and I) now have several Webkinz and also a handful of Lil' Kinz. They like them equally as well, but most of all they love to make sets out of them. My kids have decided that their big frog represents big brother and their Lil' Kinz frog represents baby sister. Likewise their big tree frog is a daddy frog and the Lil' kinz tree frog is the baby (it looks just like the Tree Frog from Go Diego Go!).
From the standpoint of price and convenience the Lil' Kinz are the way to go. They cost less, take up less space, and they provide the same "perks" in the Webkinz world. So, really I can't see a reason to NOT get the Lil' Kinz. In a lot of ways I almost find them to be cuter than their full size partners. Of course, my children want BOTH not one or the other. It's also great that if you missed out on buying a Webkinz that has since become retired you can pick up the Lil' Kinz version of it and it comes with the same virtual items in Webkinz world.
www.webkinz.com
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Check out my Webkinz Primer which can be found here
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 9.99
Age Range of Child: 6 to 8 Years
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marytara
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