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What are examples of cyber clubs (e-clubs) for kids and/or parents created by toy and gaming companies?
Listed below are examples of the major cyber clubs for kids and/or parents created by toy and gaming companies. The examples range from toy manufacturers such as Mattel and LEGO, to educational toy stores, Scholar's Choice, to online gaming companies that sell their own merchandise like Prodigy and Animal Jam.
I started my search by looking at top gaming companies globally and then gathered information on any clubs they might have for kids/parents. Found are a variety of clubs, some barely more than a reward program or mailing lists with sales discounts, like Cabbage Patch Kids. Others have massive online functionality and an extensive social aspect, such as Pokemon. Also included is the Scholatic Book Club, which is essentially a book club, but it also offers access to educational games for its members.
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This is a cyber club for kids and parents run by a Canada based educational toy store chain. They offer special discounts, longer return period and host members only events. Memberships start with annual fees as low as CAD10.
An online math game, available for free, Prodigy offers a wide range of premium activities for paid members (starts from $4.99/month), including access to Prodigy games and educational content. Prodigy is also based out of Canada.
The famous toy brand offers a host of printable and online games for its members — catering to kids of all ages. Most of the games are available for free. Mattel also has a Red Line Club especially for Hot Wheels collectors.
The Pokemon Center sells toys and cards for kids. They also have an Online Trading Card Game Club where kids can collect digital playing cards (packs of cards come with a code that they can scan to get digital ones) and practice alone or play against each other.
LEGO has membership options for kids and parents. Benefits include
taking part in LEGO forums, receiving the LEGO magazine, uploading pictures of ones own creation, participation in competitions, and sales discounts. LEGO education has specially designed content for preschool, elementary and middle school kids, but is available only to US residents at present.
Open for both kids and adults, the membership, $35 per year, includes special members only editions, special events, collector's pin, and personalized membership cards.
Gaming company Nintendo offers a host of features to its members: special birthday discounts, custom tailored update emails, and options to earn points redeemable for in-game content.
Although not a toy or gaming company, Animal Jam has a variety of games, books and other merchandise on its online store with premium features available to members. Memberships start at $17.95 for three months.
This site is especially devoted to toy train products. They have location specific clubs as well as a digital one. It gives people of all ages the opportunity to connect over their passion for toy trains. Members also get bi-monthly newsletters.
A popular online book club for kids (and parents), Scholastic encourages reading across all ages by providing affordable (and free!) books to families and schools. They also have a host of online games, giveaways, and contests to engage kids.
Conclusion
Detailed are ten examples of cyber clubs (e-clubs) for kids and/or parents created by toy and gaming companies. Most major toy companies have cyber clubs for kids or parents.