The free-to-play PC game market is tremendous, and the majority of the free online games available are virtual worlds that are tailored for children. It’s great that kids have options, but which of the available massively multiplayer online (MMO) games manage to dish out the most fun while providing a safe environment in which youngsters can interact and make friends? Here are ten popular online worlds that any kid would love making his or her own.
(Note that all of these games are free to play, but most provide options to buy special in-game items and bonuses with “real world” money.)
NeoPets — NeoPets, currently owned by Nickelodeon, is a browser-based world wherein kids adopt a cute mythical monster, feed it, play with it, and even battle it against other monsters. The NeoPets community is huge and has an extensive fan base that is invited by the website to contribute stories and artwork. NeoPets is also one of the very first kid-oriented virtual words to hit the Internet: Back in 1999, it launched as a relatively crude (but lovable) HTML-based site.
FreeRealms — Sony’s take on the kid-oriented MMO/virtual world is available on the PC, Mac, and the PlayStation Network. Players can explore an enormous land, make friends, and take cool jobs like “go-kart racer” and “pet trainer.” The gameplay also expands multiple genres, including exploration, pet-raising, racing, and social networking, so there’s something appealing for everyone.
Gaia Online — Gaia Online is another long-lived web-based world. It has a special focus on social networking, and participants “speak” through an anime-themed avatar they create and accessorize.
Club Penguin — The popular Club Penguin, owned by Disney, lets players control their cartoon penguin avatars through a virtual world populated with online games and activities. Disney is especially vigilant about promoting online safety in its virtual words, and Club Penguin is a good example of an especially safe environment that is well-moderated by real people.
FusionFall — FusionFall is a somewhat dystopian virtual world (nothing quite at PG level, though) wherein players must fight to free the planet from an alien menace. What makes the game especially compelling, though, is that its features characters and locations made famous by Cartoon Network’s colorful cast. Throughout the game, you’ll meet Dexter, the Powerpuff Girls, Ben10, and more of Cartoon Network’s stars.
WhyVille — WhyVille is a virtual world that emphasizes education–through there’s also plenty of fun to be had, of course. Users learn about science, art, and geography. They can also start their own business and “sell” user-generated “Face Parts” from which other players can assemble their in-game avatars.
Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures — This massively multiplayer online game lets players take the role of a Jedi or a Sith. Players choose a side (now’s your chance to try the Dark Side just once), battle threats, play minigames, and interact with characters from the popular “Star Wars: Clone Wars” cartoon. When the galaxy pauses to breathe, players can decorate their houses with furniture and accessories.
Webosaurs — Webosaurs is a virtual world that lets kids use a dinosaur as an in-game avatar. That’s pretty compelling on its own, but the game also offers lots of games and activities to play through. Webosaurs is another online game that prioritizes player safety through safe chat methods and constant moderation.
Moshi Monsters — Moshi Monsters is a web-based game that features unworldly, fuzzy creatures. There are a lot of mini-games to play, and many of them provide opportunities to learn math, science, and geography. There game’s community is large and friendly, and even offers tips for kids who are troubled by online issues like cyberbullying.
MapleStory — MapleStory is a 2D side-scrolling fantasy MMO game that has maintained considerable popularity in North America since 2005. Players explore dungeons and fight monsters either alone, or joined up with friends. It’s an ideal world for tweens and young teens who want a little more combative action than what’s typical for most kid-oriented MMOGs.
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Scott Steinberg is the CEO of video game consulting firm TechSavvy Global, and founder of GameExec magazine and Game Industry TV. Hailed as a top technology and video game expert by dozens of publications from USA Today to Forbes and NPR, he’s covered the field for 400+ outlets from Playboy to Rolling Stone. A frequent on-air analyst for networks like ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN, he’s also the author of Video Game Marketing and PR.
Well, all are great except for the number of paid options in most games. This attracts my children to beg for me to waste money on their virtual games. I would rather not SPEND on all the junk in the game. The only thing I’ll have to disagree with is that Disney’s Club Penguin Online isn’t the safest community out there. The mods do not do very well, as people find ways to swear without getting caught. My daughter saw many other penguins in the community blabbering with bad language and chats. The problem is that the community is on a wide range of ages, which allows many different ages to join the community, even ones that know language that isn’t allowed in a kid-friendly community. That’s the problem! Other than that, this list have my daughter and son having fun and interacting with many other children.
Well, paid options aside, these are great choices.
- Club Penguin was a jungle, really. Lots of cursing sometimes.
I left on m own terms for one of those 3D virtual worlds.
- Free Realms is a nice world, though I always felt it lacked something
- MapleStory: it’ll drag you in and it’ll be a while for you to get out. Not the most kid-friendly from what I’ve seen, but it’s a good game.
- FusionFall: Tried it, it’s one of the best things out there right now. Re-introducing old CN shows and characters like Dexter’s Lab and the Powerpuff Girls really saved it.
My favorite one (not on the list) was called There. http://www.there.com
It was a PG-13, 3D virtual world that had a rolling economy and was fairly large, but it soon shut down because of the recession. Reports have it that it’ll be revived very soon.
Great piece, nonetheless.
Hey ROBLOX is more popular then Club Penguin by far.
what about LEGO universe its THE BEST GAME EVER!!!!!!!! even thow its closing soon
hey panfu is also a popular MMO game
fantage is WAY better then club penguin,moshimonsters,AND ALL THE OTHERS!
nflrz and imvu are way better
My kids love Spark City World. It’s especially for girls and they have moderators keeping the girls safe. Check it out if you have young girls. Mine absolutely ADORE it.