Animal Jam Classic facts for kids

Animal Jam Classic, once known simply as Animal Jam, is a super fun online virtual world. It was created by a company called WildWorks. This game is especially made for kids aged 7 to 12. It first launched in 2010, working with the National Geographic Society. By late 2020, over 3.3 million people played it every month. A huge 130 million players have joined from 200 countries! This includes both Animal Jam Classic and its newer version, Animal Jam.

In Animal Jam Classic, you get to explore and learn cool facts about zoology (the study of animals). You can do this through lots of game features. These include mini-games, puzzles, exciting adventures, fun parties, and chatting with other players. Because it became so popular, Animal Jam Classic even has its own merchandise. You can find figurine toys, children's books, board games, and even a special subscription box.

While Animal Jam Classic is mostly played online, you can also play parts of it on mobile devices. This includes smartphones, tablets, and iOS devices. The most popular mobile app from Animal Jam Classic is called Animal Jam. It used to be known as Animal Jam - Play Wild!. This app is a 3D version of the Animal Jam Classic world. WildWorks has also made other apps based on the game. These include Tunnel Town, AJ Jump, and Dash Tag.

In May 2020, WildWorks changed the name of the desktop game. It went from Animal Jam to Animal Jam Classic. This event was called the "aMAYzing Migration". At the same time, the app known as Animal Jam - Play Wild! became just Animal Jam.

Exploring the Game World

Animal Jam Classic takes place in a made-up land called Jamaa. This world has many different biomes, which are like different natural areas. You can also choose and customize your own animal character. When you first start, you create an animal. You give it a name made from three simple words. Then, you can move your animal around and explore the game world. The first six animals you could choose were a panda, rabbit, tiger, wolf, koala, and monkey. Since then, many more animals have been added!

You can make your own den (your animal's home) unique with furniture. You can chat with other players and adopt cute pets. There are lots of mini-games to play. You can buy in-game clothes and furniture using the game's currency. Trading items with friends is also a big part of the game. You can attend fun parties and go on different RPG-style adventures. There's also a special membership you can buy with real money. This membership gives you access to exclusive features in the game.

How Players Communicate Safely

Animal Jam Classic has three ways for players to chat. Each way has different rules to keep everyone safe.

• Bubble Chat means you can't type your own messages. Instead, you pick words and phrases from a list.
• Safe Chat is the usual setting. You can type words or phrases, but only if they are on a special list the game allows. This is like a "whitelist."
• Safe Chat Plus used to be only for members. Now, all players can use it. You can type almost any word or phrase. The game still checks what you type with a special filter.

Parents can control their child's chat settings from a special parent dashboard online. If another player acts in a way that is not okay, you can report or block them. If someone chats inappropriately, their chat might be turned off for a while. They could even be stopped from playing the game for a longer time.

Animal Jam Classic does not have outside advertisements. It also has strong rules to protect your privacy.

Learning About Nature

Besides fun facts and activities in the game, Animal Jam Classic offers educational videos. These videos feature real scientists. You can learn from herpetologist (reptile expert) Brady Barr. You can also learn from marine biologist (ocean life expert) Tierney Thys. The game also has special events and activities. These help teach players about important environmental issues.

Other Cool Stuff

Animal Jam Merchandise

You can find lots of Animal Jam Classic merchandise. This includes shirts, stuffed animals, hats, books, and toys. You can buy them on the Animal Jam Outfitters website. They have become very popular!

In 2013, WildWorks worked with Sidekix to make special stuffed animals. These were based on the game's animal characters. They could even "flip" into a ball! In 2015, a company called Jazwares became the main toy partner. They started making figures, playsets, and plush toys. These were launched all over the world in 2016.

In June 2016, WildWorks released more Animal Jam Classic toys. These were mostly stuffed animals, figures, and toy sets. One popular series is called "Animal Jam Adopt-a-Pet." Each toy comes with a tiny pet figure and two accessories. They come in a den-shaped box. Plus, you get a special code for an item in the game! Four different series of these toys have been released.

On November 16, 2016, WildWorks launched the "Animal Jam Box." This is a subscription box. If you subscribe, you get a box of merchandise sent to you regularly.

In early 2019, WildWorks' agreement for making toys and books ended. But the subscription box is still available!

You can also find "Pillow Pets" based on Animal Jam Classic characters. These are sold on the Pillow Pets website, other online stores, and Amazon.com.

Animal Jam Academy

Animal Jam Academy is a special program from WildWorks. It's directly connected to the Animal Jam Classic website. It gives players "how-to" projects. These projects use themes from science, technology, engineering, and art (STEAM).

Mobile Apps

The Animal Jam App

The most popular mobile app from WildWorks is called Animal Jam. It was once known as Animal Jam - Play Wild!. This app is a 3D version of the Animal Jam Classic world. It was released in August 2015.

In February 2016, WildWorks announced that Animal Jam had been downloaded over 1 million times! The app became the top downloaded educational game for iPads in 24 countries. In 2018, it was the top downloaded game for kids aged 9-11 in 35 countries. It was also the top-earning iPad game in 54 countries. On May 19, 2017, Animal Jam won the Google Play Awards for Best Kids' App.

In early 2020, a desktop version of Animal Jam was released. This lets players enjoy the 3D mobile world on most PCs and Macs.

Other Fun Apps

On July 18, 2013, a free app based on Animal Jam Classic came out. It was called Tunnel Town and was available on iOS and Android. In Tunnel Town, you get to raise a family of bunnies underground. You buy, care for, and raise new types of rabbits.

Later in 2013, another Animal Jam Classic mobile game was released. It was called AJ Jump. This game focuses on kangaroos. It has a similar gameplay style to the popular game Doodle Jump.

In 2018, a third game was released, called Dash Tag. In Dash Tag, you collect different animals. You try to avoid being caught by Misha the Panda. The game is an endless runner game. It's similar to games like Subway Surfers and Temple Run.

In 2020, the creators of Animal Jam Classic also released a new game called Fer.al.

Helping the Planet

Animal Jam Classic encourages players to care about the environment. There's a Gem donation box in the game's Conservation Museum. A big part of the money Animal Jam Classic earns goes to help conservation efforts around the world. By June 2012, players helped WildWorks donate over $3 million to the National Geographic Society! In November 2011, the Play Wild Fund was started. This let players choose which animals and conservation efforts they wanted to help. This helped create a bigger community to protect our planet. In 2014, Animal Jam Classic raised $200 million for charity.

Awards and Recognition

Animal Jam Classic and its related apps have won many awards!