What is the best online world doll for an 8 year old?

[daileyad]

Okay, my daughter loves webkinz. She has now asked for Dora Links for Christmas. I am not convinced, I think it is too expensive ($50+), it is too young for her, and the reviews I read about the website were horrible! So is there a good online world where I can get her a doll for under $25 that works well and would be interesting for an 8 year old that is already in love with Webkinz?

[Bibbidi]

Just wanted to let you know that we tried the Dora Links friend--without having the main "Dora" doll--and even to play one measley game with that doll you had to download 400 mb of data, that when extracted was 600 mbs of the Dora Program. It was not the "online" world that I expected. I thought it was going to be a website like Webkinz--but it's not. Anyway, I'd definitely skip the Dora Links doll and maybe consider a Ty Girlz--kind of like webkinz, around the same price, but it's a Ty stuffed doll. There may be some other sites out there, but your daughter might like that one and it's not a huge investment at least.

[MickeyMomOfThree]

My DD7 (will be 8 in January) has asked for this and the one friend (same name as her). I told her while it looked kind of cool I thought it was too young for her and she would tire of it quickly. Target has it on display so I plan on taking her so she can see that it doesn't seem to do that much. Either way Santa won't be bringing it. For the $ I would just assume get her a half dozen more Webkinz. (Not that we need mroe of those, but at least they play with them like crazy.)

[shopnfun2me2]

I really don't know anything about these dolls but my DD10 wants one. She says you can play online with her.

http://www.livworld.com/

[caribear]

My daughter is 7 and loves Webkinz also. She also loves Club Penguin, but you have to pay for the service. I also have bought her several Puffles and Penguines that have codes for online goodies. It is through Disney....and we pay $5.95/month, but there are discounts if you sign up for a year or 6-months at a time. For her birthday one of her friends bought her a Club Penguin gift card from Walmart good for 6 months of online service ($29.95).

I think the Liv dolls may have an online world, but my DD is not into them yet.

[daileyad]

Keep the ideas coming. I hadn't heard of ty dolls or club penguin before. I'm going to have to look into some of these.

[redrosesix]

I say stick with the Webkinz -- maybe buy some clothes for the ones she has. They are $$$ for what you get, but they do unlock more things in Webkinz world for them and it gives them an opportunity to play with the animals she already has outside of the cyber world.

But you should also find out how close she is to her 1-year mark ie. when her account will shut down. If she's almost there, buying one more animal will keep her going for another year.

My DD has tried several of these -- all a result of birthday presents. The only one she sticks with over time is Webkinz.

[Tinkerbelle99]

My daughter likes stardoll.com - my sister got her into it when it first started up a few years back, it originated in england if i am not mistaken (my sister was living in europe at the time and was spending way too much time on the internet!!). Anyway, its a 'paper doll' type site. you create a model and get to dress it up all sorts of ways, you can even pick celebrity paper dolls to dress.

it has evolved into a pretty detailed site now, with loads of clothes (designer names no less!) and other items to 'purchase', including creating your own 'room' and decorating it. I have bought her credits a few times and she really has enjoyed it.

there used to be lots of free stuff to get and use, not sure how much is free these days...but worth looking into.