As part of my job as one of the members of The Old Schoolhouse Review Crew, I was asked to review the website, Tiny Planets. Tiny Planets is a safe, online environment for children aged 4-12. Quite a bit of the content on the website is completely free for children to use so, if you are interested, you can definitely check out the website with your children on your own.
Tiny Planets provides award-winning educational entertainment set in space exploration and discovery, inspiring creativity and critical thinking in children. Tiny Planets features the cosmic adventures of Bing and Bong, two whimsical aliens who travel the Universe of Tiny Planets together on their gadget-loaded plush sofa. With Bing and Bong, children are encouraged to think for themselves, assume social responsibility, take care of our planet and learn about the mysteries of space.
My Tiny Planets – Create your very own planet in the universe of Tiny Planets! Build your landscape, buy spaceships and play with friends in this fun, safe virtual world.
Tiny Planets Labs – This is where we try out stuff, including the brand new Moon Explorer activity coming soon – it’s rocket science for kids!
Tiny Planets Fun - There are loads of fun, games, downloads and TV episodes on this site, including coloring activities, comics and puzzles too!
Tiny Planets TV – Watch your favourite episodes of Tiny Planets on Tiny Planets TV! You can sign up with your Space Cadet account here and exchange episodes for KEYS purchased via your parents account!
Tiny Planets Learning - If you’re looking for the Tiny Planets lesson plans and Early Learning Goals information then look no further – they’re here! Perfect for Parents and Educators.
Tiny Planets Books – Take a look at the interactive books on Tiny Planets Books – there’s adventures from loads of the Tiny Planets episodes and more stuff coming soon!
In the Learn section of the site, you will find lesson plans that correspond with the activities provided at each planet.
When a parent sets up an account for his/her child, the ID is generated by the site. The kids don’t have an option to put in their real names. Then the parent and child get to assign a password. Parents then create a parent account that allows him/her access to the child’s account as well as the opportunity to purchase Keys that give the child access to more content such as additional stories, books, etc. Additional books or TV shows typically cost 5 or 10 Keys. Kids can have their friends join them online, but they are only able to communicate through scripted text – no typed in information. I like that it gives kids the opportunity to understand online interaction without exposing them.
I think that this site would appeal to kids ranging in ages from 5 to 10 or 11 however the non-readers would need to have everything read to them because there is SO MUCH reading required as there is no speech from any characters. This I think might be one area that they could work on to make it more user friendly to the younger set.
Most of what Tiny Planets offers is suppose to be free however there are certain things that require keys. Keys are sold for the following:
10 keys $1.95
25 keys $3.95
85 keys $9.95
250 keys $25.95
600 keys $49.95
With one book costing 10 keys I can see how this could get pricey quickly so maybe the 600 for $49.95 would be the best deal? BUT know that once you purchase something with your keys it is yours forever.
For more information about Tiny Planets, please visit their web site; or, to keep up with what’s new, check out their blog.
Tiny Planets provides award-winning educational entertainment set in space exploration and discovery, inspiring creativity and critical thinking in children. Tiny Planets features the cosmic adventures of Bing and Bong, two whimsical aliens who travel the Universe of Tiny Planets together on their gadget-loaded plush sofa. With Bing and Bong, children are encouraged to think for themselves, assume social responsibility, take care of our planet and learn about the mysteries of space.
Tiny Planets is a web site with colorful, vivid artwork. When you visit the web site, you will have a variety of educational sub-sites from which to choose:
My Tiny Planets – Create your very own planet in the universe of Tiny Planets! Build your landscape, buy spaceships and play with friends in this fun, safe virtual world.
Tiny Planets Labs – This is where we try out stuff, including the brand new Moon Explorer activity coming soon – it’s rocket science for kids!
Tiny Planets Fun - There are loads of fun, games, downloads and TV episodes on this site, including coloring activities, comics and puzzles too!
Tiny Planets TV – Watch your favourite episodes of Tiny Planets on Tiny Planets TV! You can sign up with your Space Cadet account here and exchange episodes for KEYS purchased via your parents account!
Tiny Planets Learning - If you’re looking for the Tiny Planets lesson plans and Early Learning Goals information then look no further – they’re here! Perfect for Parents and Educators.
Tiny Planets Books – Take a look at the interactive books on Tiny Planets Books – there’s adventures from loads of the Tiny Planets episodes and more stuff coming soon!
In the Learn section of the site, you will find lesson plans that correspond with the activities provided at each planet.
When a parent sets up an account for his/her child, the ID is generated by the site. The kids don’t have an option to put in their real names. Then the parent and child get to assign a password. Parents then create a parent account that allows him/her access to the child’s account as well as the opportunity to purchase Keys that give the child access to more content such as additional stories, books, etc. Additional books or TV shows typically cost 5 or 10 Keys. Kids can have their friends join them online, but they are only able to communicate through scripted text – no typed in information. I like that it gives kids the opportunity to understand online interaction without exposing them.
I think that this site would appeal to kids ranging in ages from 5 to 10 or 11 however the non-readers would need to have everything read to them because there is SO MUCH reading required as there is no speech from any characters. This I think might be one area that they could work on to make it more user friendly to the younger set.
Most of what Tiny Planets offers is suppose to be free however there are certain things that require keys. Keys are sold for the following:
10 keys $1.95
25 keys $3.95
85 keys $9.95
250 keys $25.95
600 keys $49.95
With one book costing 10 keys I can see how this could get pricey quickly so maybe the 600 for $49.95 would be the best deal? BUT know that once you purchase something with your keys it is yours forever.
For more information about Tiny Planets, please visit their web site; or, to keep up with what’s new, check out their blog.
Click on the banner below to see what my fellow Crew Mates have to say about this!!
Just to let you know: I received the product free of charge for review purposes but my opinions are my honest thoughts on the product.
2 comments:
The folks at Tiny Planets wanted to thank you for your hard work and honest reviews. We just want to let you know that your children will continue to have unlimited (free) access to our website. (Yea!)
We are also going to launch an art wall sometime next year, so if any of the children want to contribute, please scan their Tiny Planets related pictures and email them to me at cheryl@mytinyplanets.com or you can mail them to me at:
Cheryl Henderson-Khalid
My Tiny Planets Limited
P.O. Box 78
Bushkill, PA 18324
Again, thank you for your time and effort. If you'd like to share our websites with others, please let me know and I"ll send over our Tiny Planets button for your blog.
We wish you a happy and healthy 2011.
Yours truly,
Cheryl Henderson-Khalid
My Tiny Planets Limited
Community Manager
Hi. Just wanted to thank you again for reviewing the site. I wanted to let you know that on April 4th the new and improved site was launched. I'd love to hear any thoughts you might have, especially since some of the changes were made because of the Crew's suggestions. You can check us out at www.tinyplanets.com. You can reach me at cheryl@mytinyplanets.com.
Thanks!
Cheryl
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