Webkinz weekend coming to Bayside

From Friday, April 25 through Sunday, April 27, customers will receive a Webkinz with any $10 purchase - excluding tobacco, lottery tickets and candy - at Bay Cards & Gifts in the Bay Terrace shopping center.
In addition, kids will receive gifts and free prizes during the three-day promotion, held to celebrate Webkinz World’s third anniversary.
Mark Englander, the owner of Bay Cards & Gifts, said he has been stocking the popular plush pets for about a year, and now sells about 25 different kinds - including Lil’Kinz, the pint-sized version. Each Webkinz comes with a secret code, allowing kids to log on to the Internet, care for their virtual pet and play games.
Englander said that he believes the animals are wildly sought after by children “because it opens up a whole interactive world with them.”
Not only can kids decorate their Webkinz’s Internet room using KinzCash collected from winning games, users can meet up with their real-life pals in cyberspace and challenge them in the Tournament Arena.
Pet owners must log on daily to make sure that their little critters are healthy and happy. In addition, new features are added to the website often.
Englander explained that when children get a new pet they can also pick up accessories - like lip gloss, clothes, mouse pads, body spray and figurines - to match. In addition, every month, the Bayside shop gets in new animals, including schnauzers, pintos, pink poodles, and bullfrogs, so that children can create their own menagerie.
For more information about the promotion, call Bay Card & Gifts at 718-224-5344 or visit www.webkinz.com.

- Christina Santucci