The Animal Jam mobile game is the successor to National Geographic's browser-based MMO for kids. In this free-to-play game, kids create an animal character and explore the prehistoric world of Jamaa, creating and customizing dens to live in, hanging out with friends, playing minigames and learning about science and nature. Some animal characters are free, but rarer or more exotic animals are in-app purchases.

Playing on the wild side

Animal Jam features cute animal characters in a cartoon world, making it appealing to younger players. The minigames are repetitive, mainly consisting of the usual puzzles and simple arcade games you'd expect, but they are varied enough to keep them engaging, and the overall themes of learning about nature and respecting the natural world are worthy. Loading games even offer fun animal facts, maintaining the educational theme. Character and den customization are fun, but a lot of the available options are in-app purchases, so parents may want to keep an eye on young players' choices.

Fun for kids, with reservations

Animal Jam is a colorful, fun game for younger players, with charming graphics and even a little educational content. As with any game that includes multiplayer activities and in-app purchases, parents should be sure to take appropriate precautions and talk to their kids about playing online.