Something about this cold weather makes me nostalgic. I just have the urge to get under some blankets, cuddle up with my laptop and indulge myself in a spiral of visiting my favorite childhood websites. So without further ado, here are my top 10 favorite computer websites/games from my childhood:
10. Animal Jam
Animal Jam was truly a staple of my childhood, but I have to admit, at times it was kind of frustrating. Animal Jam was one of those games where you were pretty limited if you didn’t have a membership, and while I enjoyed choosing the name of and dressing up my bunny avatar, it was honestly hard to stomach my boring animal house that consisted of a tiny table and a little rug. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it and admittedly I still visit it from time to time.
9. Moshi Monsters
As a kid I loved Moshi Monsters (I was deeply invested in my Poppet) and the bright colors that coated the game, but sometimes I would get bored after awhile as non-members didn’t have the same privileges as members and it wasn’t easy to communicate with other players. Unfortunately, the website is no longer active. RIP Poppet.
8. Funbrain
Okay I don’t remember much from Fun Brain other than it being one of the few “fun” websites that our teachers in elementary school would let us explore when we had class in the computer lab. Thank you, Funbrain.
7. Minecraft
Minecraft isn’t technically a website, but it deserves to be mentioned, as it consumed all of my time when I was in 4th, 5th and 6th grade. I used to play the pocket version of Minecraft on my iPod Touch (yes, the iPod Touch) and anticipated the day where I could purchase the 20 something dollar Minecraft membership that would allow me to play on the desktop computer. Finally, that day came and thus ensued the endless slew of days where I would be consumed my Hunger Games Minecraft Realms or SkyWars (if you know, you know)
6. CoolMathGames
We all know CoolMathGames. Some of the website’s most iconic games– Papa’s Cupcakeria, Pancakeria, Pizzeria, for example– were every kid’s taste of excitement during a long school day. A lot of the games had nothing to do with math… which, admittedly, made things a lot better for us kiddos (raise your hand if you STILL visit Papa’s Cupcakeria every now and then).
5. Poptropica
Poptropica will never grow old. Despite it being a staple of my childhood, I have definitely visited the adventure-themed website more than a few times during the pandemic. The superhero themed island will forever be my favorite.
4. Suite Life of Zack and Cody Games
I’m not sure if anyone remembers the Suite Life of Zack and Cody games on the Disney Channel website, but if you do, you know just how addicting it was. Not only was it the only game I could access on Dial Up internet (yes, Dial Up Internet), but the bright colors and graphics made you feel as if you were actually inside the Tipton Hotel! My mom would help me play this game for hours and hours on our clunky white computer monitor. Ahh.. the 2000’s.
3. Webkinz World
If you take one look at my bedroom, you will be able to tell that I was super.. I mean super… into Webkinz. It’s what bonded us all together in elementary school– “what new animal did you get?” “what are you going to name it?” “how are you going to dress it up online?”… the usual. Playing on Webkinz World will forever be a significant part of my childhood (because come on… the animals are just so cute).
2. Club Penguin
Club Penguin was the first internet-based game that I played with my friends. We would hop on after school, talk on the phone and live and play in our own little igloo-cover-world. I don’t think I ever got the membership, but the Club Penguin community was a great place to play games, buy some Puffles and connect with your penguin friends.
1. MovieStarPlanet
Not to be dramatic, but MovieStarPlanet kind of consumed me. My friends and I were obsessed with this game from 4th through 5th or 6th grade. Being on the leadership board, meaning we were the most popular movie stars, was our dream (totally superficial). Even though none of us ever made it (at least I know I didn’t), we made unforgettable memories that brought us closer together. (PS: I think I owe my fast typing skills to typing never ending messages on MovieStarPlanet).
Wasn’t that delightful trip down memory lane? It’s so interesting to sit back and look at the games that played a big part in our childhood and connected us with our friends in and outside of school. Okay, now it’s time for me to go back to Papa’s Pizzeria.