Great Gift Idea #8 - Virtual World for Kids at JumpStart.com *With a Giveaway!*

My kids love to play on the computer, but we are very careful about what kind of sites they are allowed to go on and like to check them out before we let them go on them. When I saw the JumpStart.com virtual world for kids website, I knew my boys would love it and that it would be something I could trust.

I was given the opportunity to check it all out and to let my kids play and see what they thought of it. First of all, they got to create their own Jumpee (an avatar that looks like them) which they thought was really cool. Then, they got to pick a screen name. I thought this was particularly cool and a great feature they offer because the kids do not use their actual name, they get to choose from a list of names and create a silly screen name. This just adds to the safety of the website. The game is geared toward kids from ages 3-10 and there are several different "worlds" they can go to depending on their age. There are so many activities for each of them to do that I can't possibly list them all, but some of the things my kids really like and that I think are really cool too are that they can do math problems or reading activities to advance through the game, they can search for coins that they gather up and can go and buy pets and other things in their "world", and the site is constantly changing. New things are always added and incorporated into the game. Right now there are leaves falling in all the worlds because it is fall, so I'm guessing we'll be seeing snow on the game before too long. They also have a little game within the game right now of finding Thanksgiving items throughout the "worlds".

Here are some screenshots from the game to give you an idea of the graphics and what it's all about...





I knew Asher would love the game and he absolutely does. He calls it his "Story Land" game because that's the "world" that is for his age group. Riley keeps giving me updates on his progress, what level he's on and what he's buying with the coins he finds. Gavin, well, I was afraid that since he is almost 11 and tends to be quick to label things as being "too babyish" for him that he might not get into the game. I was wrong! He loves doing all the math problems and he and Riley keep comparing notes on where they are on the game. I am thrilled that all 3 of them love it so much and are having so much fun with it.

I guess the only problem with the game is that the kids want to play it constantly! That actually isn't much of a problem because it creates a great opportunity for me to use it as a reward for getting homework and chores done well and without complaints. I'm sure you other moms will be able to appreciate using it in the same way.

This game is perfect for all 3 of my boys and I love that I can be confident that they are having fun online in a safe and educational environment. The learning activities incorporated into the game aspect of it make it not just a mindless game but one that reinforces what my kids are learning and teaches them new things too. I could not be happier with this game! There are great features for parents as well, like the JumpStart Blog!

This would make an excellent gift to your kids this Christmas, so be sure to check it out at JumpStart.com


The wonderful people at JumpStart have offered to give one of my lucky readers a free 3 month membership to JumpStart.com that I know your kids will love! Below are the ways you can enter to win this awesome giveaway...

This contest will be open until 11:59 PM on December 7th. At that time I will use random.org to determine the winner. The winner will then be emailed and have 24 hours to respond, otherwise I will choose a new winner. This contest is open to U.S. residents.

Leave separate comments for each entry and leave your email address in this form - Jane (at) yahoo (dot) com

Mandatory Entry: Visit JumpStart.com and take a look around. Come back and tell me one thing that looks interesting to you about the game that I didn't mention above. (1 entry)

Extra Entries:

Follow my blog-You can use this as an entry whether you are a new follower or a current follower (1 entry)

Blog about this giveaway with a link to my blog and leave me the link to your post (5 entries) This counts as 5 separate entries so leave a comment for each and just number them.

That's 7 chances to win! Good luck!

Disclaimer: I received this product for free for review purposes. My opinions expressed in this review were honest and genuine and I was in no way persuaded by the company involved.