Officially, I think that Shidonni is one of the coolest online play and creativity websites ever!

Mr. A. loves to play on my computer.  All day long I listen to him asking me if he can play this or that game.  For a 4 year old, he does really well getting around online, but I’m constantly having to redirect him back to an appropriate website.  He ends up clicking on ads and sidebars and goes who knows where into cyberland.

So when we got offered the chance to try Shidonni.com, I jumped at it.

From Shidonni:

“Shidonni is a virtual world for children, ages and up, based on the idea of drawing animals and caring for them, but with a 21st century twist.

Visitors to the site receive a blank canvas where they can draw an animal and create a background for that animal to play. After drawing their virtual pets, children play with them as they magically ‘come alive’. Children then care for, feed and play games that incorporate their animals as main characters.

Shidonni, unlike other virtual worlds, stays away from motivations that are based on money and goods. It encourages their imagination and motivates children to create animals and backgrounds. Shidonni then rewards them for their efforts by providing special effects, such as music, design effects, and more.

The site empowers kids to create their own worlds and play with them in a safe, fun environment. By providing kids with drawing tools rather than “ready made” elements, Shidonni promotes imagination, creativity and computer skills in kids ages 4 and up.”

Here is a sample of some art that your child can create with Shidonni:

Here is what my 4 year old created.  Now the deer was imported as a “friend” and I drew the house

My favorite part of Shidonni, is actually the fact that you can increase the screen by clicking the little magnifying glass.  It makes it so your little one can’t accidentally click on your tool bar and inadvertently end up somewhere else.  The play land and games go entirely full screen!  Here is my screen shot.  No tool bars, no google, nothing.  Nice!

I could safely go in the other room while he stayed down here playing around and going through the games.  Another thing I liked was that the games are fairly simple in instruction.  Little to no reading was involved.  So my 4 year old was very easily able to figure out and play the games.

Here is a little video clip so you can see Mr. A’s “animal” in action.  You can feed your animals and it actually makes munching sounds and follows the food around.  It was super cute.

You can go play Shidonni now.  It doesn’t cost anything to sign up and get the basic service.  The basic  site allows for you to create some animals and play a few games.  It goes to full screen and plays cheerful music.

But for THE most fun, you will want to sign up for Shidonni Pro.  Shidonni Pro allows you to get an ultimate set of creation tools and effects.  You get the ability to dress up your animals and will have access to the latest and greatest that Shidonni has to offer.

WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN

One of my lucky readers is going to WIN a 3 month subscription to Shidonni Pro for your kids!

Mandatory First Entry:

• Go visit Shidonni.com.  Take a look around and come back and let me know some things you like or dislike about their program.  You must do this to qualify for additional entries!

Click here for additional contest entry opportunities and rules!

This contest will end at 11:59pm, Pacific Time on Friday April  10, 2009.

Contest is open to all adults over the age of 18.