Mind Candy CEO Michael Acton Smith came to the tech crunch office to explain about Moshi Monsters, his company’s virtual world for kids that is signing up a new member every second. Moshi Monsters was his “last roll of the dice” to save his virtual worlds startup in 2008, and it worked. Moshi Monsters is up to 35 million registered users, with about 7 million of those active every month, says Smith. And it is projected to generate $100 million this year from a combination of subscriptions and gross retail merchandise sales.
The site is geared towards kids between 5 to 12 years old. Each kid gets a monster pet and a room that can be decked out with virtual goods. But instead of trying to create “just another bloody virtual world,” Smith wanted it to be more like a safe social network. “Instead of copying Club Penguin,” he says, “we focused more on Facebook and tried to re-imagine that for kids.” There is pin board where friends can leave messages and a news feed, but there are also games, quizes and virtual world activities. The penny-drop moment for us was that kids like to share and show off online just as much as adults do,” he says. “If we could create the safe place online, we could create Facebook for kids.”
Moshi Monsters started in the UK, where Mind Candy is based, but now the U.S. is its biggest market. It makes money off of subscriptions ($50 a year to unlock different levels and get extra powers), but there are also toys and today it even launched a magazine for kids, Moshi Monsters Magazine (print’s not dead!). Smith wants to create a mini media empire from the little monsters, with plans to develop video games, TV shows, books, and iPhone/iPad apps.
In the clip below he demonstrates the first Moshi Monster iPhone app, which gives you a Moshi Monster mouth that moves as you speak.
The Golden Globes provided us with some Beee-utiful dresses last night. The red carpet arrivals was the most fun to watch (we won’t mention Ricky Gervais’ hosting skills as many people are quite divided, and well, he was a little nasty) ANYWAY – we decided to draw inspiration from the lovely bright frocks worn on some of our favourite movie stars and we found some “mini” versions just for your pretty little hipster-ettes.
If you liked Heidi Klum’s “nod to the 70’s” dress, we found these gorgeous Lilly Pulitzer designs
Sophia Vergara and Julianne Moore’s bright pinks made a bold statement, just like this Mini Marc Jacobs in fuschia
Amy Adam’s navy blue made a simple and bold statement and so does this navy and white Dior. The Little Marc Jacobs elephant and giraffe silk dress is a little more playful.
Angelina Jolie was one of a few actresses who opted for green and it looked stunning with her dark hair. This Juicy Couture feather dress is just as pretty.
This Ralph Lauren orange dress is equally as bright and playful as Kyra Sedgwick’s dress.
Now we actually think that Michelle Williams’ dress is ill fitting and the shape is not at all flattering to her body. But we found a dress by kid’s label Hartstrings that we think is super cute, much closer to her normal style of dressing and still reflects the light floral dress she wore.
With little77 and 77kids by american eagle, everyone can get affordable and kid-cool stocking stuffers for all—even the littlest ones in their life. 77kids.com is worth a looksie for goodies to help spread holiday cheer!
(Orders placed until December 21st are guaranteed to be delivered with standard shipping by Christmas)
An extra bonus: The website just launched their Snowy Sale! Here are some great “quick grab” gifts to fill the stockings this Christmas…….
For Baby Boys: Cozy Nordic Trapper & Mitten Set, now $19.95 and Little77 Little Doodle Body Suit, now $5.95
For Baby Girls: Little77 Pretty Snowflake Trapper & Mittens, now $19.95 and Pretty Stripe Tights, now $7.95
For Toddler Boys: 77kids Chunky Slipper Socks, now $14.95 and Rugged Flake Trapper, now $14.95
For Toddler Girls: 77kids Pretty Cable Slipper Socks, now $14.95 and Pretty Alpine Trapper, now $14.95
For Grader Boys: 77kids Jingle Jolly Boxer 2-Pack, no $9.95 and Everyday Striped Gloves, now $7.95
For Grader Girls: 77kids Girly Stripe Everyday Scarf, now $7.95 and Ribbon & Chain Necklace, now $7.95
Little Pebbles is a brand of fun, original, affordable artwork straight out of Western Australia (Oprah was just there!)
Its often difficult to find something a bit different to decorate your children’s bedroom and if you can’t find something you like on their site you can ask for a custom personalised piece!
Metalicus has long been a favourite for grown ups, as each of the pieces are so easily layered with another, or easily worn with jeans or dresses. The collection of separates is distinctive due to the use of two way stretch “one size” fabrications with constantly changing on-trend styling and seasonal colour palettes. The Mini Metalicus range for girls is not much different, just smaller.
Stables in this line include long sleeve tops & short sleeve tees, groovy striped leggings, cross over ballet tops and little a-line skirts. The colours change each season and you can also buy some more stylized tops with an embellishment or bow, but essentially, you can add an item you have in your wardrobe from last season and simply match it with a new piece. Because the sizes are offered in doubles (2-4 and 4-6 etc) you are also guaranteed to get a few seasons out of your piece (so they have a chance of getting worn out instead of your minihipster growing out of them).
Now travel can be fun for the whole family! Trunki has developed a range of kids-friendly luggage that lets them keep up while trying to make that flight, and keep them entertained once you’ve discovered it’s been delayed…
On top of the very cool wheeled suit cases they have a range of backpacks and other other fun travel accessories. All available online or through Amazon.com
A delightful take on sock puppets, these darling socks feature 3D pop-up paws, tails and heads. Non-skid bottoms and a fun wraparound design make these perfect for new walkers. Baby’s animal friends are also designed to playfully sit atop shoes.
Too much fun!
Even if they’re too young to be out trick-or-treating this year, it’s still great fun to dress the little ones up for Halloween! While searching for ideas for my own getup, I seem to be more distracted by those for kids – they’re just so cute..
Here are some amazingly fun animals costume suggestions. Click each title or image to find a shopping option.
Earlier this year Swedish clothing giant H&M put on a street perfomance in Union Square, San Francisco, featuring some of the most amazing little kid dancers you’ll ever see. Of course presenting their new collection, but what an amazing flash mob idea, and and amazing show!
Having just come across this again we thought we’d share it in case you hadn’t yet see it.
Enjoy!
Back to school time can mean lots of new this and that to get the little ones prepped for their scholastic adventures to come. But this can be just as much fun for the one doing the purchasing as there’s so much cool kit out there to choose from. Like these bags from traditional French toy manufacturer Vilac.
Totally simple, but all style and fun!
And something for everyone…
However, Vilac is most known for it’s wooden toys, which are so exactly the way you imagine oldschool wooden toys to be..
We like the simplicity of Heidi Klum’s daughter, Leni Samuel’s denim mini and tee. we like the soft pink over the white long sleeve and we like ourselves some Star Wars
