Tag Archives: substitute

Dec1

Tamagotchi App

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Tamagotchi App

Howdy! I absolutely love being a bunny mom and am a fan of all things cute and cuddly whether IRL or with substitute pets. Of course I’m talking Animal Crossing and most recently the Tamagotchi app! I have been using Finch regularly for a while now and have grown pretty bored with it. There’s literally just nothing to do on the app although I appreciate the mental health aspect of it. I needed a substitute pet with more interaction and after browsing around on the app store, I found the Tamagotchi one and have been obsessed!

My most fond virtual pet memories are racing my siblings home from school to see who could check their Neopets account first. I was addicted to that game and it really was the ideal substitute pet platform with games, shopping, exploring, and decorating. Nothing will ever trump Neopets in my opinion, but this Tamagotchi app is delightfully reminiscent of it and I am loving it! I have always wanted a real Tamagotchi to fit in my pocket and this app is the next best thing. Better, in fact, as you can see all of your activities on a bigger screen and in color.

The premise of Tamagotchi is the same as any other substitute pet. Feed it, clean it, keep it happy. However, there is so much more to it than that. In the Tamagotchi app your pets can get jobs, go to school, and land an apartment. You can dress them up, decorate your house, and add fun things to the areas surrounding the shops like water fountains, picnics, and mini golf. Earning points to shop with is as simple as going to the arcade that has about fifteen games to pick from. I am especially partial to the Candy Crush style game as well as the ice cream scoop one. It reminds me of the Coney Island mini game in Mario Party!

This app is kid friendly and clearly just as amusing to adults too. My Tamagotchi app is exactly what I wanted Finch to be and I look forward to playing and leveling up every day. I have found myself growing incredibly weary of social media as of late and wanted something to do on my phone other than doom scrolling. The Tamagotchi app has been the perfect substitute and it sure beats getting depressed on Facebook every hour lol. Highly recommend. 🙂

Looking for a virtual pet of your own or simply to kill time? Download the Tamagotchi app – it’s a blast!!

Did you have a Tamagotchi growing up? What is your favorite virtual pet? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov22

Substitute Pet Gifts

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Substitute Pet Gifts

Hello! The holiday season is right around the corner and for some reason, pets are a popular gifting option. Post holidays? Local shelters are packed to capacity with unwanted animals that were gifted. Like the trend of pet bunnies for Easter, animals are not something that should just be given with the potential of giving them away. They are part of the family and should be treated as such through extensive research and evaluating of if you have the time or resources to care for a pet, or if your children are capable and responsible enough to care for it. With that in mind, let’s explore some pseudo pet gifts that are an excellent compromise until you are all ready for the real deal:

Pocket Pets:

Handheld devices, apps, and video games can make an amazing substitute pet gifting option. You could consider a retro Tamagotchi, a subscription for an app like Finch, or a game like Animal Crossing. These gifting ideas are interactive, fun, and offers a level of care to build up responsibility skills to have a pet. I personally would LOVE a Mr. Rengoku Tamagotchi from Demon Slayer! I also adore my daily use of Finch and occasional use of Animal Crossing. Speaking of Animal Crossing, there is going to be a HUGE update coming in January which makes this game all the better. The beauty of it? Once you’re done playing, you’re done for the day – no more care is required!

Plushies:

Honestly, what kiddo (or adult) doesn’t want a new plushie?! Of course, nothing is better than snuggling up with a pet but snuggling up with a plushie is fabulous too. I do so every night! 😀 Squishmallows are a forever popular option or how about a trip to Build A Bear to create your new best friend? Little Live Pets sets are also a really fun option as these plushies have three babies to dress up, groom, and feed. There is a set for dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs too which is perfect if your kiddo is craving a small animal. I got the rabbit set last year for my niece as she wanted pet bunnies just like me. ❤

Volunteer Date:

Prior to getting a pet, it is so important to understand their level of care, wants, and needs. To develop those skills, you could present your kiddo with a volunteer date. You could grab some lunch and spend time at a local shelter. Shelters offer training sessions for volunteers to learn about care taking. Once these classes are complete, you will be able to walk, socialize, feed, and clean up after the pets that need to be adopted. What’s more, your family might be able to develop a bond with a specific pet after putting in the work first and foremost. Whether you end up with a pet or not after this process, it’s still a win/win as the shelter will have some extra help.

Robot Pets:

Robot pets are super cool and can move and groove along with your kiddo. They can bark, wag, walk, eat, and some can even go to the bathroom! These toy pets can let you know when they are ready for a snack or need to be groomed. Bird pets can perch on your shoulder, monkey ones can grasp your finger, but no matter what you choose can be cuddled, played with, and treasured. This is a great stepping stone in the responsibility department!

Pets are not a gift but the options above totally are!! 🙂

Did you have a toy pet growing up? What are other pet substitute ideas? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah