• The Washington Post, Wednesday, February 7, 2007 12:15 PM

In less than two years, Webkinz--huggable, plush toys with elaborate virtual lives--have become must-have items for tech-savvy 'tweeners. They spotlight how children's play is changing, moving effortlessly between the real world and the Web.

Webkinz combines classic stuffed animals with popular online trends, such as social networking and instant messaging. Other toys and Web sites have made similar efforts.

Each stuffed animal comes with an identification number that gives children access to the Webkinz site. There, owners discover their pets' online personalities. They also can buy clothes for their pets using virtual money, and decorate their pets' virtual rooms with items like a boy-band poster or a bed shaped like a pirate ship.

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