Webkinz Trading Cards are a product created by the Ganz company in 2007. The cards were created to accompany the popular Webkinz plush toys. The Webkinz Trading Cards were released in 4 different series and are highly collectible among Webkinz fans. Webkinz Trading cards are still widely available today both online and in retail stores.
The History of Webkinz Trading Cards
Webkinz is a plush toy created by Ganz in 2005. Each Webkinz stuffed animal comes with a secret code attached, which allows users to enter the online Webkinz World (www.webkinz.com), a virtual world where they can play games and create houses for their online pets. After the phenomenal success of Webkinz, Ganz released the first series of Webkinz Trading Cards in 2007 to accompany the Webkinz products.
To capitalize on the popularity of Webkinz, Ganz began manufacturing Webkinz Trading Cards in 2007. Each pack of Webkinz trading card contained collectible base cards and online feature codes which could be use to unlock exclusive online prizes, coupons, clothing items and Webkinz money, called Kinzcash . Each series of Webkinz cards contain 80 to 85 base cards, as well as challenge cards and other exclusive cards.
Series 1 of the Webkinz Trading Cards was released by Ganz in 2007. Each package of trading cards contained 6 cards, including 1 online feature code card. In January 2008, Series 2 of the Webkinz Trading Cards were released. In August 2008, Series 3 was released. Series 4 of the Webkinz Trading Cards was released in March, 2009.
The Webkinz Trading Cards have many important features. Most notably, some Webkinz Trading Cards include a code for a free online pet, some of which have been discontinued in the plush version. Each package of 6 cards contains at least 1 online feature code. Series 2 of the Webkinz trading cards contain codes to unlock an exclusive online room theme. Series 3 of the cards featured The Webkinz Trading Card Condo theme and feature codes for unique trading card prizes as well as a new addition of stickers in every pack. Series 4 features themes like Trading Card Furniture, Citizens of Kinzville Furniture and Citizens of Kinsville Clothing. In addition, Series 3 and Series 4 cards contain codes to win a rare online pet, the Magical Retriever (Series 3) and the Mystical Panda (Series 4).
Where to Find Webkinz Trading Cards
Webkinz Trading cards were widely available when they first came out in 2007. Today the cards for all 4 series of Webkinz Trading Cards can be found online at Amazon.com.
There are also many sellers on popular auction sites like eBay.com and ioffer.com that sell Webkinz Trading Cards .
The Series 3 and 4 trading cards are still widely available at many gift shops and card stores, such as Learning Express and most Hallmark stores.
In addition, online Webkinz forums, such as WebinzInsider and Yahoo Groups like WebkinzTradingPost and The World of Webkinz can enable collectors to meet up and trade Webkinz Trading cards.
Sources:
Ganz.com
www.webkinz.com
www.ebay.com
www.webkinzinsider.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/The_World_of_Webkinz/summary
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/webkinztradingpost/summary
