It would only make sense in a house with 2 parents who spend far too much time on email, Facebook, Twitter and the blogosphere that I would have 2 children who love to play on the computer. Actually I find it a bit frightening how well and how young my kids begin to know their way around a computer. And my three year old has half mastered my iTouch which I have to wrestle away from her on a regular basis.
One of the first computer games we found, and immediately snatched up at a garage sale was by JumpStart. Many other JumpStart games followed that we checked out at the library. I have always been impressed with the quality and focus on learning that these games promote. So I was thrilled when they contacted me to try out their new virtual JumpStart world. And Lily was thrilled that finally something I was being asked to review for my blog benefited her in some way.
Lily typically plays on pbskids.org, nickjr.com or Webkinz and I love all of those for different reasons. But JumpStart was definitely in a different league. The 3-D graphics and ability to navigate around was much more on par with a video game, but without all the disturbing elements that might come with it. It was mostly educational with a few “just for fun” games thrown it. There are 2 levels of play for different age levels. Storyland for 3-5 year olds and Adventureland for the school age crowd. At 5 1/2, Lily found she actually enjoyed playing in both “worlds”. You get to create a little person that moves throughout the virtual world. This might have been Lily’s favorite part. As in real life she spent entirely too much time obsessing over clothing and hair choices.
Lily played for about an hour. She was completely captivated. At one point she even turned to me and said, “Mommy if they want to know what I think about this game, tell them it is AWESOME!!” Then she went back to ignoring me completely. I would say it was a hit. And I didn’t feel too bad about her playing a “video game” because I could tell she was learning a lot while she was playing.
Here’s is the deal with the JumpStart virtual world. It costs to join. Membership is $7.99 a month which includes access for the whole family even if you have a whole gaggle of kids. Or if you want to sneak on at night and do some flying through virtual worlds. Not that I know anyone who would do that. The good people at JumpStart have offered a luck reader a free three month membership so you can try it for yourself.
To enter, head over to JumpStart and tell me what you think you would like best about their virtual world. All you have to do to enter is leave me a comment. So simple. Want a second entry? Participate in my weekly carnival, Things I Love Thursday by posting your own TILT post on your blog. The guidelines can be found here. Typically my winners have been coming from those second entries so it pays off to play along in the carnival. To get your second entry, you must link to your post in Mr. Linky AND leave an extra comment telling me you did so. Got it? Two comments. I will draw a winner using comments so that is the only way to get two entries.
Now, hopefully Mr. Linky will cooperate this week. If he doesn’t just leave your link in the comments. That should make that second entry all the easier!!
Amy @ Finer Things
says:
I’m #1 on Mr. Linky. Let’s hope that’s a lucky #1!
Amy @ Finer Thingss last blog post..Organic Salad Bargain
[Reply]
June 4th, 2009 at 12:07 am
Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting
says:
Give my entries to Amy, should I happen to get picked (we’re already HUGE Jumpstart fans and are doing a review of other Jumpstart things ourselves, I’d love to spread the Jumpstart love to a friend!)
Good luck Amy!
Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parentings last blog post..Fun in the Sun
[Reply]
June 4th, 2009 at 12:42 am
Amy Meringa
says:
Sounds fun, my kids would love it!
[Reply]
June 4th, 2009 at 7:48 am
Candace
says:
My kids would love to check this out! I’ll have my post up and second comment soon- I’m having WP issues today.
Candaces last blog post..Way Out West
[Reply]
June 4th, 2009 at 8:02 am
Liz@HoosierHomemade
says:
My boys loved Jumpstart when they were young. I suppose it has changed a lot though.
Thanks for hosting!
~Liz
Liz@HoosierHomemades last blog post..Twix Bars
[Reply]
June 4th, 2009 at 8:11 am
nicolerenae
says:
My kids would love it! My two oldest both love computer games, and my younger son will before too long!
[Reply]
June 4th, 2009 at 9:04 am
Jen-After the Alter
says:
Thanks for hosting this carnival! I really love participating!
So I posted today about how I keep my husband presentable with the Tide to go pen! 
Jen-After the Alters last blog post..Things I Love Thursday: Tide To Go Pen!
[Reply]
June 4th, 2009 at 9:08 am
Erin G
says:
I think my husband would like this jumpstart better than my kid! Don’t think he’s quite old enough for computer games yet. I have to admit that doesn’t break my heart.
Erin Gs last blog post..Things I Love: Kohl’s
[Reply]
June 4th, 2009 at 9:29 am
Whitney
says:
I have never heard of this. I like that there are games coming for the Wii. We bought one a little over a month ago, so that’s great.
Whitneys last blog post..TLIT – Blogger, Bumkins, Trumpettes, & Kodak Gallery
[Reply]
June 4th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Whitney
says:
Linked up!
Whitneys last blog post..TLIT – Blogger, Bumkins, Trumpettes, & Kodak Gallery
[Reply]
June 4th, 2009 at 10:23 am
Tracey @ Aloha Monkeys
says:
Okay, I linked up.
Tracey @ Aloha Monkeyss last blog post..TILT {Similisan Allergy Eye}
[Reply]
June 4th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Tracey @ Aloha Monkeys
says:
This looks like something fun for my boys. Unfortunately, that would mean giving up my computer while they “learn.” I like the simplicity of the virtual world. Very user friendly for even my five year old.
[Reply]
June 4th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Amanda - VintageDutchGirl
says:
Bubbalu is already learning how to navigate the mouse. I would love to give him access to a safe and learning computer game!
Of course that means Mama might need to purchase a laptop so he doesn’t interfere with my computer time (meaning I might actually have to do some housework – bah!)
[Reply]
June 4th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Amanda - VintageDutchGirl
says:
Oh and I linked up! Easy cheap home baby food? Yes please!
Amanda – VintageDutchGirls last blog post..Pureed Peas Make Me Happy…
[Reply]
June 4th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Katie
says:
It was fun to read your review of JumpStart. I am in the middle of a demo myself and my kids are pretty excited about giving it a try!
Katies last blog post..Things I Love: Pure Michigan
[Reply]
June 4th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Candace
says:
Okay here’s my second comment – my post is now up. Thanks!
Candaces last blog post..Things I Love Thursday- Revlon ColorStay Active Foundation
[Reply]
June 4th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Lora Lynn @ Vitafamiliae
says:
Since I’m homeschooling twins, I would love to have something reliable that I could send one child to do while I’m working with the others. And if it reinforces their letters and numbers, bonus!
Lora Lynn @ Vitafamiliaes last blog post..But I Could Totally Rock That Bonnet
[Reply]
June 4th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
karen
says:
Wow, jumpstart looks very cool! I’ve never heard of it. Adventureland looks fun and all the slides, rivers, waterfalls and such. If i don’t win I may sign up for a month and try it!
[Reply]
June 4th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
karen
says:
i linked up!
karens last blog post..Things I love Thursday – Savvy Piggy Bank
[Reply]
June 4th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Staci @teaching money to kids
says:
So I clicked on the link which started a video demo, which brought my four year old running. “ooh, I could pick out what they look like?” So I think that was definitely the favorite.
Staci @ Teachingmoneytokids.blogspot.com
Staci @teaching money to kidss last blog post..Things I love Thursday -Swivel Sweeper
[Reply]
June 4th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Staci @teaching money to kids
says:
I also linked up my post with mr. Linky
Staci @teaching money to kidss last blog post..Things I love Thursday -Swivel Sweeper
[Reply]
June 4th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Jodi
says:
What is not to like? My boys thought that it looked fun!
Jodis last blog post..Blue Bunny Frozen Yogurt Granola Bars
[Reply]
June 4th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Candice
says:
My 3yo is also captivated with the computer and has been able to do a lot on it since she was 2. She would love to win this!
[rq=1415,0,blog][/rq]Growing Kids
[Reply]
June 10th, 2009 at 11:25 pm