What is a "Webkinz" and what should I know before I buy one for a nine-year-old? 

It's a stuffed animal. Each one comes with a code. The child goes on-line and enters the code and creates a password. From there they enter the webkinz world. They start with $1000 in kinz cash to furnish the vitual house, feed and clothe their webkinz. They play games to earn more money. They can invite other webkinz over to play but they need to know their name. They can only click on phrases to talk to the other webkinz. All in all they are harmless. 

Does what animal she gets make a difference? Is she going to be okay with just the animal or is there any more "junk" I need to buy? 

There are several animals in my house. The only accessory for them that I have seen are little purses to carry them in. The other junk includes a bracelet or necklace and you buy different charms for it and trading cards. The animal doesn't make a difference. I have found them at the Hallmark stores and On the Park. You might want to call first as they tend to be out of stock. 

My daughter has one and she loves it! I have not purchased any other "junk" and she hasn't mentioned anything else. She has the bunny. 

Just know it will take computer time. My son loves his. The charms cost, however, not necessary. Build A Bear is also carrying them, from what I understand. There are also littlekinz, for the younger kids. Whatever animal you purchase, is the animal that is on the website when you use their code. 

I got mine at The Stuffin Shack for only $6. (they were having a sale) I couldn't pass that up. 

The games are fun. My wife and I help our three kids get points....we really just play for the kids... 

Webkinz are great! My girls have tons of them and some of the extras too. Besides being fun, I view them as an educational tool as well. I purchase all of our Webkinz from MOMMY TO BEE & ME on W. Lake Houston Pkwy. They are having a Webkinz Party next Sat. (10/20) from 2 - 4 p.m. - lots of fun, wheel of wow and prizes. Webkinz makes great, inexpensive b-day gifts and Mommy To Bee offers complimentary gift wrap. 

ALso if you purchase at Mommy to Bee & Me after you purchase $200 worth they give you a free Webkinz. It sounds like a lot but I am buying them for 2 and buy our birthday party presents there was well so you reach the goal quickly. The trading cards to come with a code to give them up to 4 free prizes. Everytime you buy a new Webkinz it comes with Kinz Money and 3 gifts for use in their world. My kids love it and I do too. I stay up playing it at night and garden. I can actually keep things alive in Webkinz World. 

Regarding which Webkinz to buy it is our understanding that the cow always comes with a milk truck to drive, the dalmation always gets a fire truck, and the black bear comes with a 4-wheeler. The others are random ride-on toys (if they get one). We could be wrong but this is what my 9 year old claims and it has been true for ours. 

Happy to know that I'm not the only parent that likes to play the games!! 

crazymom - do you have to be invited to the webkinz party or is it open to the public? I did not hear about it but I know my dd would love to go. We have several webkinz and she loves to play on the computer and buy things for her house. She is saving to get a pool now. LOL 

Parents that play - if you play Tile Tower in Classic mode you earn money quickly! 

My son got one for his birthday, he's 7, from a good friend of ours. Unfortunately, Webkinz does not support iMac so we haven't been able to use it. The PC we have is trash and I've been wanting to get the boys a new computer anyway. I guess Santa will arrive early in our house. IKF - LOL :) 

do you have to be invited to the webkinz party or is it open to the public? Mommy To Bee's Webkinz party is open to the public and we invite everyone to come! Call 281-852-0200 for more info. 

We play the Quizzy's Corner to get Loads of kinzcash (my dd is always needing 2500 or more at a time). It is really educational and to her it just seems like fun! 

hehe glad to know I am not the only Mom that plays for their kids also :) I like Hungry Hog, also Lunch letters helps keep up the typing skills lol. They are coming out with clothes for them also, but haven't seen them yet. According to which pet you get is which items you get when you adopt it each comes with one exclusive item and a couple more items. If you go to webkinz.com and click on the webkinz catalog you can see the different ones, click on their picture and it shows you the one item that will for sure come with it. 

My son got one for his birthday, he's 7, from a good friend of ours. Unfortunately, Webkinz does not support iMac so we haven't been able to use it. The PC we have is trash and I've been wanting to get the boys a new computer anyway. I guess Santa will arrive early in our house. IKF - LOL :)  I play on my MAC OS X. Too bad it doesn't work on the IMAC. 

Unfortunately, Webkinz does not support iMac so we haven't been able to use it. My kids use our Macs and don't have a problem. What operating system do you have? 

To all of you WEBKINZ Fans, I have several that I sell along w/ some that are hard to find. I currently have 3 Pet of the Month (FROG) for October which gives you a "Loot Bag" and other special things you don't get with the Webkinz. I also have a few of the Pet of the Month for November. I have some of the Black Cat for Halloween. I have 2 of the RETIRED Love Puppy's for sale. I have charm bracelets and the charms which I DO NOT consider to be junk. I have 2 mousepads and 1 set of bookmarks which include 18 in all. Each Bookmark has a code plus provides Reading Incentives because you get to get a book for your Webkinz. If you are looking for a particular item just pm me.