Dizzywood: An Innovative Website for Kids

From LoveToKnow Kids

Scott Arpajian discusses his fun and rewarding website Dizzywood.

Scott Arpajian is a parent of two children, lives in California, and is CEO and co-founder of Dizzywood. He's worked on the Internet for sixteen years and has been fortunate to be involved in a number of great websites, including Download.com, which he launched at CNET Networks thirteen years ago. He got the idea to start Dizzywood while at CNET, when he was looking at what at the time was a very under-served audience.

Please tell us about yourself.

Simply put, while there are a lot of websites for kids, very few of them deliver a truly deep and engaging experience. Most of the popular sites merely offer mild diversions and time-wasting activities. I wanted to build a destination for kids where collaborative play and imagination would be encouraged and rewarded, and where fun would rule the day. My hope is that Dizzywood can be that place for a lot of kids and their parents.

What ages can be involved in Dizzywood?

Dizzywood is designed for age 8-12, but we see a few younger and older children playing as well.

What are some charity events that kids can participate in?

We feature monthly charity events that encourage children to participate in value-based activities. Our hope is that the kids will take what they've learned from these missions and carry them over to their real life.

An example is the mission to "Help Higgins with a Donation" in which players learn that Skyland was hit by a bad storm. Then they were asked to find a crate of construction supplies and deliver it to one of our NPCs (non-player character), named Higgins, who shipped the supplies to the residents of Skyland, so that they can rebuild their homes. At the end of this mission, players received a link to visit our Doing Good in Your Community page Dizzywood Doing Good to see what they could do in real life to help. This page is updated to coincide with the release of a new charity event.

How do kids get involved in this program?

Kids can register for Dizzywood by visiting Go to Dizzywood and clicking on the "Start Your Adventure" button, which will bring him/her to our login page. Then they should click on the "Join Dizzywood for Free" button towards the bottom of the screen. They will be asked to choose a username and password, and to enter a parent's email address. An activation email will be sent to the parent, who must click on the activation link in the email in order for their child to chat in Dizzywood.

How can the media encourage kids to be active in their community?

The media plays a huge role in everyday life, and it is crucial that we educate kids on building a sense of community in their own lives. By incorporating a sense of adventure and excitement, the media can send the message that being an involved citizen is both important and gratifying. Our greatest hope is that we, and the media at large, can ingrain the idea that being an active member of your community is fun.

Why is it important to teach kids to give back to their communities?

The earlier we teach kids about giving back and making a difference, the greater the chance of them maintaining this sense of community throughout their lives. We aim to show players that making change in our communities is not just about contributing money, but also contributing time and taking action, and that everyone can always lend a hand.

What other information would you like to share with our readers?

Whether it's a visit to a Mayan-themed jungle or a super power challenge to defeat Emperor Withering, Dizzywood offers children the opportunity to create their own adventure, cooperate with other players in exciting games and challenges, and have fun while learning. Our hope is that through a commitment to quality storytelling, creative vision, and technological innovation, Dizzywood will deliver an outstanding entertainment experience for young people that inspires the imagination in a safe environment.