Ten Ton Hamster

Shining Stars is a game created by Russ Berrie and Company in partnership with the International Star Registry. It is a virtual world where children, ages 4-12+, can bring their plush Shining Star friends to life. Each plush friend comes with a code on a tag that you can log onto the Shining Stars website and your child will be able to pick a real star, give it a name, and register it with the International Star Registry. Your child may then print out a copy of their own star and “its exact location in the cosmos!” They will also be able to name their new friend as well as create (and name) their own Avatar.

There are several worlds within Shining Stars that your child can enjoy. The Starcade is one place that your child can really have some fun. There are all kinds of games your child can play and because they are all quick, your child can be on for a few minutes or as long as you are comfortable with. They will not be engaged in long epic games.

Your child will earn glow points as they navigate throughout the site playing games, when they name a new star, when they send wishes. As they earn more and more glow points, they will be able to unlock secret pages and access to different areas of the site. Shining Stars encourages sharing by offering the opportunity for children to share their glow points with real charities!

Shining Stars uses a safe chat system that allows your child to chat with their friends in a safe way. Star Chat “limits members to using words and phrases that are preset and selected.” The can choose ‘pre-constructed’ messages from a drop down menu. They are unable to type their own messages therefore it is a very safe way to have fun while communicating with their Star friends.

As your child earns glow points they will be able to create their own starworld. There are worlds to choose from at the different levels and they can spend their glow points decorating those worlds.

Shining Stars encourages your child to “learn about sharing and helping others by earning Glow Points and learning to balance spending those points on building their own Star Worlds, checking out the latest Shining Star adventure at the Star Flicks Theatre or by making a special donation to real charities where their Glow Points become real cash donated to Shining Star charities including the Starlight Foundation and others.”

If you would like to discuss Shining Stars with other parents, or if you have any questions please join us at the Ten Ton Hamster Parents Forums.

Have a Shining Sharing Day!