Tiny Planets~ Exploring & Learning in Space

Tiny Planets is a website that provides" award-winning educational entertainment set in space exploration and discovery, inspiring creativity and critical thinking in youth ages 4-12."

Follow the adventures of Bing and Bong, two adorable little aliens as they explore in space, traveling on their comfy, plush coach- which is loaded with special gadgets.

Aren't they cute??

Bong is on the left- Bing on the right

My oldest two children used to watch Bing and Bong on television back in the day and I knew it was no longer on television, so I was surprised when I was recently asked to review this website.  I had no idea that such a site existed.  It was fun to reintroduce my children to the characters.  They didn't remember too much at first until I played the theme song.... it brought back memories for them...

You can check out The Tiny Planets Website, but I would like to give you a brief review/summary of what it is all about.  

• Tiny Planets has won two BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television) Awards- Interactive Best Entertainment Website and Best Children's Interactive
• Chose to watch old episodes of Tiny Planets television episodes- created with Sesame Workshops with emphasis on science education and social & emotional development (& other learning goals).
• My Tiny Planets- Virtual world community that combines social elements & gaming to create on engaging space exploration experience.  Children create on avatar, solve galactic missions with Bing and Bong, play fast-paced mini-games, care for a planet, earn badges and more... This is where my children spent most of their time.
• Tiny Planets Fun- Find brainy puzzles, coloring books, comics and more
• Tiny Planets Books-  Read books with pictures about Bing and Bong, their friends, and many of the planets you will explore in your space adventures.  You can read to your child or they read on their own.
• Tiny Planets Learning-  is a place for parents, homeschoolers,  and educators.  It contains mini lesson plan & science experiments, as well as providing information on how every episode of the Tiny Planets television series maps to an early learning goal.  
• Tiny Planets Labs-  This is a Playground for things to come.  Tiny Planets is connected with EU University research projects, which keeps them up to date on technology.  New games will be posted and tested here.  

** Click on the names above to be taken directly to each site on the Tiny Planets Website**

MY THOUGHTS ON TINY PLANETS:

• No scary content
• No ads
• No freedom to chat- kids choose from pre-set phrases in speech bubbles
• No freedom to make up your own Cadet code name-  means no inappropriate names
• Easy to create a Cadet Account-  Click on Create a Cadet in upper right hand 

Obviously, the above listed items are good things.

I must say, there are some parts of Tiny Planets that are a bit silly to an adult.  My kids, however, all loved and enjoyed using the site!  My 13 year old daughter did not use the site nearly as much as her 12 and 7 year old brothers, but she enjoyed her time spent on the site.  My boys completely enjoyed taking care of their planets-  purchasing landscapes, choosing spaceships, purchasing pieces & lasers for their ships.... and, of course, playing the many games.

KEYS-  Much of the site is free.  BUT there are things you can only see and access with KEYS which must be purchased.  KEYS will unlock more tv episodes, stories, and items to care for your planet.  

The KEYS can be purchased in various amounts.  It is 10 KEYS for $1.95, 25 KEYS for $3.95, and so forth.  They can only be purchased by a parent using the Parent Account.

Most of the items my children came across required either 2 or 5 KEYS to access.  For the purpose of this review my children were each given 25 KEYS.  I would not have purchased KEYS otherwise.  

Children also earn Stars for various reasons and can use Stars (free) to earn items.

You should know though the Tiny Planets site does contain some educational aspects, I personally felt the entertainment aspect was the stronger element.  My kids honestly had a "blast" with this site!  

 I am not one who is willing to pay for items on websites, but my children have Wii and Nintendo.  

If my children did NOT already have access to their own video games it may be something I would consider paying for.  It may be something YOU would choose to pay for......

IN SUMMARY-  I think Tiny Planets is a site worth checking out- remember much of the site is FREE.  My children really have enjoyed their experience.  Even my almost 3 year old enjoyed watching them play their games & watch episodes.

Watch an episode of Tiny Planets-  Night Light, Sleep Tight

I was asked to review this site and give my honest opinion. My children each received 25 KEYS, but I was given no compensation for this review. 

Read many other reviews of Tiny Planets from The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew