This giveaway is now closed.

We were recently invited by JumpStart to try out their online educational games and post a review.  You know us, if we can try something out and post our opinion, we are all for it.  Before we begin our review, let’s get a little background on JumpStart and what they have to offer.

JumpStart Background

knowledge Adventure is the leader in adventure-based 3D virtual worlds for children ages 3 to 10 with their JumpStart and Math Blaster products, kids learn through playing games.  They blend learning with entertainment, and who doesn’t like to have fun and learn at the same time?  Knowledge Adventure has been setting the standard in kid’s software for more than 15 years by creating the finest educational products to use at home and in the classroom.

In addition to the products that are sold within major retail stores, they have recently launched their first web-based virtual world JumpStart.  There are different sections to JumpStart, even a section for parents!  In the parents section is there is monthly newsletter that you can sign up for call JumpStart Times, which touches on issues that are important to parents.  Within the account management section, there are downloadable products.

Here are a couple screen shots from the site to give you an idea of what’s there.

Message Board from within the Parent section

Creating an Avatar to use in your games

Check out their Avatar-making contest they have going on…you could win a grand prize of $10,000!!!!

Playing one of the games

There are 5 different areas you can go to for playing.  The neighborhood, Beach, Petland, Jungle, and The Town.  In each area, you have different types of learning going on.  You are learning everything from Letters and numbers, counting, matching, sorting, and more, all of which are done by listening and following the directions for each activity.

Now for the review

We decided to take this to a new level in our review.  Since I only have a 3-1/2 year old son, I decided we wouldn’t be able to get much “Review” from a kids perspective, so we’ve included Jill and her girls in this review.

For the first review, we have Kati, 7, who loved Pet World the best, which isn’t surprising since she loves all kinds of animals.

Next, we had Alexa, 8, who really enjoyed the different styles, hairdo’s, etc, while making her Avatar.  Once she decided upon her “gal” she liked the Town Square the best.

Then there was Vanessa, 11, who enjoyed the beach, but found she was a bit more advanced for the JumpStart site, which isn’t surprising since it’s designed for kids ages 3-10, but we wanted her perspective too (because all kids matter).

Now for the last child, Thaddeus, 3-1/2, I couldn’t tear him away from the computer!  He LOVED it all.  Which isn’t surprising at all since he loves playing on the computer.  Bad thing is now I have to fight with him to get on my computer for classes and other things I need it for!  Guess it’s time to get him a computer of his own!

To become a member of JumpStart the cost is only $7.99 a month.  They also offer a non-membership registration, but you have very limited access.  Try it out for a month, what do you have to lose?

Onto the Giveaway

Now for the part you were waiting for JumpStart has offered to give a free 3-month membership to one of our readers.

If you would like to enter for your chance to win a free 3-month membership, please fill out the form below.  All email addresses that are collected for contests and/or giveaways are used solely for the purpose of that contest and/or giveaway to notify the winner and will not be given out to anyone.  This giveaway will close on Friday, March 13, 2009, at midnight (EST).   The winner will be announced and emailed the next morning.  The winner must reply to the email within 24 hours of the notification email in order to be eligible, if the winner does not respond another winner will be selected.  The winner will be drawn using Random.org from the eligible entries received.  By entering into this giveaway, you are agreeing that you are 18 years or older and a resident of the United States.

You must complete the below form to be eligible.  For a second entry may be entered by adding our button to your site and commenting with your name and URL for verification.  For a third entry you can register for a subscriber account and post a comment letting us know (if you are already a subscriber just post the comment).   For a fourth entry you can become a member and post a comment letting us know, we will need to know what username you used if it is different that the name within your first entry (if you are already a member just post a comment with the username you used to become a member under).  Finally for a fifth entry you can subscribe to our daily email (you must be verified so check your email) and post a comment letting us know (if you are already subscribed just post a comment).

Please remember that you can must enter by completing the above form before you can enter for the additional chances.

Thanks for entering and be sure to come back on March 14, 2009, to see who won.