Wizard 101′s wizard school will start soon

I always like to look into new children’s free, online games in an attempt to lure my young cousins away from Webkinz. I think Wizard 101 may prove to be a nice alternative for them. The open beta hasn’t begun for this casual children’s online game, which allows kids to enter a wizard academy, but people can sign up for the free beta at the site. Once the game enters the commercial phase, there will be a monthly fee.

In Wizard 101, players become students under Professor Merle Ambrose at the Ravenwood School of Magical Arts. Kids will be able to interact with NPCs, learn magic spells, play mini-games and customize their character. It sounds like a nice bridge between casual games like Webkinz or Moshi Monsters and full, free MMOs.