Category: PHB Series

Here’s where you can browse through the many posts we’ve shared on the Poptropica Help Blog, sorted by series.

PHB Specials

Meet the Poptropica Pals, an official university student club! 🏫🐏

Slanted Fish

Hey Poptropicans, we’ve got a special feature for you! Have you ever thought about bringing Poptropica to school? Meet the Poptropica Pals, an official university student club who’s managed to do just that!

The Poptropica Pals operate at the University of Rhode Island (URI) and the club has been officially recognized by their student senate since fall 2019. Check out their Instagram @uri_poptropica_pals, and read on for the PHB’s interview with the Pals to hear about their experiences!

Peep the Poptropica Help Blog shout-out on the Pals’ Instagram!

The PHB reached out to the Pals and they graciously took the time to share a bit about their club with us. Here’s what they had to say:

PHB: Thanks for your openness in sharing! Let’s begin with the basics. What are your names, years, and majors?

Pals: The leadership of the Poptropica Pals includes: the president, Benjamin Cloutier, senior, communications major; vice president Trey DiGioia, senior, acting major; treasurer Eric Creton, junior, marketing major; secretary Athena Nakrosis, senior, directing major; and parliamentarian Mirielle Jaser, sophomore, oceanic geology major.

Swipe for more Poptropica Pals joining the frame!

PHB: How did you get into the Poptropica fandom? How has your experience been?

Pals: We all started playing Potropica when when we were in elementary school, and for the most part have been keeping up and playing new islands ever since. The only poor part of our experiences has been the introduction of paid memberships, and the loss of some classic islands. Many of us are die-hard fans of Jeff Kinney and his Diary of a Wimpy Kid children’s book series, and this only serves to fuel the flame that is our love for Poptropica.

PHB: Why did you start the URI Poptropica Pals? What did the process of starting the club look like?

Pals: We needed to campaign to get our school to approve the club’s formation. This required a list of at least 10 group members, their contact information, and a list of elected members of the club’s executive board. We created a flier and started getting the word out that we wished to form a club at the University of Rhode Island.

We initially designed the club as the “K-Poptropicans,” a club to focus on both Poptropica and K-pop. However, at our initial meeting with Rhody Senate, there was another club up for review called “The K-Pop Club,” and we thought it best to rebrand and stick our club to one main theme: Poptropica. Although not the entirety of the student senate was on board, we got the majority approval and we were named an official school club (but at the lowest level). Since then, we have kept the club running and have recently been recognized as a next tier club due to the amount of time we have been an official club.

Poptropica meets the Rhode Island Rams and other aspects of Rhody student life on the Pals’ Instagram page!

PHB: How many have joined the Poptropica Pals? How do people respond to your recruitment?

Pals: The Pals have around 35 members currently, though attendance varies. The issue with recruitment is that it is hard to get incoming freshmen to join clubs now that the COVID-19 crisis has plagued us all. We had planned to attend the club festival on the first night of term, but that was canceled and the club took a real hit as a result. We still get the occasional email or DM on our club’s Instagram, but having that club fair would have helped in gravitating new students towards our club.

PHB: What do Poptropica Pals club meetings look like?

Pals: There are three types of meetings the Poptropica Pals hold: Typical, Executive, and Outings.

Typical meetings are meetings in which the whole club is invited, and we usually meet at the campus library, although other computer labs have been used in our campus’s main building. We usually spend the first half of our meetings discussing Poptropica news and any tips or fun easter eggs our members may have found, and we often play games in the island common rooms. Customizing our characters and trading clothing items occurs during this part too.

The second half of these typical meetings usually just entails free time, where members can play through islands or talk, and eat snacks that don’t make a mess. Of course, with the virus, these meetings have decreased in attendance, but a few online gatherings have taken place in a safe, socially distant manner.

Executive meetings are those where only the executive board members are present. Here we often discuss and plan future meetings, as well as speed-run islands to try to beat personal best times. These executive meetings help bring us closer together and bond in ways that expand the sense of community and provide us with the interpersonal skills to lead the club in a collaborative environment. Snacks are always available.

Outings are our most fun meetings. Whether it’s a trip to scope out a new computer lab, or a Live-Action-Roleplay session of the end sequence from 24 Carrot Island, our outings are a way to bring the club together and deviate screen time from time we actually spend together. These meetings can often be small groups of 5–10 people, and are held both at random and at the request of a member. The Poptropica Pals aren’t just named that because of alliteration. We really are pals — and even more than that, we’re a family.

PHB: What advice do you have for other college students interested in starting their own clubs, whether for Poptropica or otherwise?

Pals: Never let them tell you no. When you’re standing before 20+ upperclassmen and trying to explain to them why your college needs a club for an online game designed for developing children, it’s easy to let them push you around, asking questions and looking down on you. The best thing you can do is stand tall with pride, and leave no doubt in their mind that this club is something that would make college better for you.

At the end of the day, even if they tell you no, DO IT ANYWAY! Even if it’s just you and a couple friends talking about Hot Wheels or eating different kinds of jelly beans. “The Hot Wheels Lovers” and “The Jelly Fellas” both sound like great clubs to me, and if it’s what makes you happy, DO IT. Even if it isn’t an official university recognized club like the URI Poptropica Pals, that doesn’t mean it’s not still a club!

If it makes you happy, “do it anyway!”

PHB: Anything else you’d like to add?

Pals: Feel free to follow us on social media — our club Instagram is @uri_poptropica_pals! Members of the executive board also run a non-affiliated meme page @poptropicaprobs.

Be yourself and people will like you.

Jeff Kinney

We hope you enjoyed this special segment with the collegiate Poptropica Pals! Thanks again to the Pals leaders for sharing with us.

Has Poptropica been a part of your school life? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments and on the PHC Discord! For more community stories, check out the PHB’s My Place in Poptropica series.

— the Poptropica Help Blog —

Community Creations

Community Creations: September 2020

Spotted Dragon
community-creations-logo

Hello once again everyone! Spotted Dragon here bringing you the September recap for Community Creations! September’s theme was Masks (and the featured work is not in any particular order). Be sure to check out all the featured artists!

No clue what’s going on? Go see our intro post.

Top 5 Picks

Duma Mask (Medieval Style) by CrazyPaintbrush

Wow! How cool is this submission??? Based off actual African mask designs, this project combines Sir Cador’s helmet with a fan role-play helmet design on the other half. It is super cool to see such a tactile and crafty submission! I love all the different elements, colors, and textures that come together here. I’d love to see it in person! Find her DeviantArt here.

Mask Selfies! by ray-of-flight

Aww, cute! During the pandemic, many of us have taken to social media more than ever to stay connected. Which totally works, because it is super, super important to socialize safely! Thus, these trendy photos are perfect for the times. I love the differing compositions across the three pictures, along with the different mask designs. Each goes great with their relative characters, and it sends out a fantastic message! Find his DeviantArt here.

Valdus, the Lord of Decay by sinnabinbun (previously ArtisticAsianBunny)

Ooooh, now here’s an interesting character design! The mask on this villain is definitely one of the most eye-catching elements of his outfit (even if it isn’t exactly regulation for the pandemic). The blue/gold/neutral color scheme is simple and really effective too. I love how everything in the outfit ties together, like the skull of the mask and the skull in the staff. I already want to know more about him! Find her Instagram (with other super cool Poptropican designs) here.

Poptropica Masks by AdventurersNHunters

Looks like we almost get four pieces in one here! I love that each panel incorporates a different kind of mask, and even creates a story around them. The Japanese style masks in the top left feature Game Show Island, the students on Shrink Ray Island (top right) are wearing some everyday masks to class, even Grande (Wild West) is staying safe with in his bandana in the lower left, and we have some masquerade masks from Cryptids Island in the lower right. So much detail, variety, and intrigue!!! Find her DeviantArt here.

Happy 13th Birthday Poptropica! by Gentle Dolphin

Not only does this submission prominently feature masks (on both the Poptropicans and the cake!), but it also simultaneously celebrates Poptropica’s birthday AND features Dr. Beev! Dr. Beev has been super popular this month… popular enough to spark an art contest of his own, so be sure to check all that beev art out! AND, yes, on top of all that, this submission is also in celebration of the Dimension Bros’ Poptropica Month event! So be sure to check out the video recorded around this artwork too. Phew, this one really is checking all the boxes, huh? And I love all the movement and colors of the design. It definitely deserves a feature! Find her DeviantArt here.

Honorable Mentions


  • Masked Ringmaster Raven by happyclonetrooper
  • See You In Your Dreams by NineTenOnetyOne
  • Super Grape Meets Anti-Super Grape Redraw by SuperGrape1

Wow guys, amazing work! Even with such a seemingly specific theme, you’re always able to knock it out of the park. Remember to send me any theme ideas if you’ve got them! And most importantly: remember to wear your mask and stay safe!!!

October: How Do I Participate?

Community Creations is a cool series for anyone in the Poptropica community to join in on. To sum up what it’s about, it’s basically a chance to show off your artwork, creepy fan-fics, Pop clubhouses, costumes, and anything else that pops into your mind.

If we really like the piece you submit, we will feature it here on the PHB! As long as it relates to that month’s theme. So what is October’s theme? October’s theme is…

MONSTERS!

Oh yes, it’s finally October and you know what that means! Spooky month! *ahem* What I meant to say was… SpooooOOOOooooOOoooky month!!! Can you tell I really like Halloween? Anyway, it’s that time of the year when we can all embrace the dark side a bit, so why not embrace it in Community Creations too?

Luckily in Poptropica, there’s a wide range of monsters that you can work with. Maybe draw your favorite monsters from Cryptids Island? A mythological beat from Mythology Island, perhaps? And if Monster Carnival isn’t your jam, maybe you’re more into Time Tangled’s Fact Monster! Or maybe just dress up your Poptropican in their scariest monster costume! The only limit is your own creepy creativity.

  • Comment below with a link to whatever you’ve created OR share it with me (SydVC aka Spotted Dragon) on DeviantArt, Twitter, or Discord.
  • Results: I will feature 5 of the submissions as well as some honorable mentions.
  • Limitations: Nothing NSFW, and make sure you relate to the theme.
  • Due Date: I will take any entries before the end of this month. Submit as many things as you’d like!

I will be sure to let you know I have seen your creation. While quality counts, I’m mainly looking for something to simply catch my eye, so don’t be afraid to join in!

So what are you waiting for? Go make something awesome!

~SD

Guest Posts, Pop 5

Pop 5: Best Dressed Characters in Poptropica

Slanted Fish

Hey Poptropicans, this is a guest post from Purple Paw, who’ll be sharing a list of her favorite fashions in Poptropica. The following is the author’s opinion only. Enjoy!

Heyo! I’m Purple Paw. You may know me from Discord, and also from my Ramble Review on Twisted Thicket Island. I’m back with a second guest post, this one highlighting the best-dressed characters in Poptropica! 

We can style our own Poptropicans any way we wish, with hairdos, accessories, clothing, facial markings, and more. But it’s not just our avatars who have a sense of fashion; popular preexisting friends and foes from across the islands also rock some spectacular looks, and they’re who we’ll be talking about today. So grab your camera and don your flashiest outfit, ’cause we’re going on a tour of Poptropica’s greatest fashionistas!

5: DJ Saturday Nite (Zomberry Island)

We start off the show with none other than the disco star of Zomberry Island, DJ Saturday Nite! With that swirly pink-and-purple dress, giant silver star glasses, and chunky headphones, there’s no way I could lead a fashion tour without including her. Despite the zombie apocalypse that’s swept her island, this star shines on. Hers is an outfit that’s fit to boogie, that’s for sure!

4: Director D (Spy Island)

Surely this is a look we can call fashionable. It may seem simple at first glance, but that crisp white suit and formal bow tie make for quite a tidy, prim outfit. And who would’ve thought that the stylish hairdo is really a toupee? As the leader of the Bald And Dangerous (B.A.D.), he may be up to no good, but Director D has got a fashion sense to rival even the greatest Poptropican stars.

3: Scheherazade (Arabian Nights Island) 

Now this is a look you can’t ignore. First off, that hairdo is one of the biggest eye-catchers in Poptropica, with a shiny golden band propping up that poof of hair, alongside a wisp of shiny bangs to top it off. The elfish ears and gold earrings give off a true Arabian Nights genie look, as do the smoke-like tail in place of legs! But the bursts of flame on her hands tell you that she’s no dainty fashionista. She’s the dangerous leader of the Forty Thieves, and she’s not to be messed with!

2: Medicine Man (Shark Tooth Island)

The best and most exclusive part of this outfit is, of course, the giant blue tribal mask covering the Medicine Man’s entire head. The shock of green leaves, rows of teeth, and large eyes tell you that he’s no ordinary tourist. The smiley-face necklace and prim grass skirt adds to the tropical island look that is essential for Shark Tooth islanders, and the wooden spoon lets you know his profession: standing on a platform atop a palm tree, cooking up healing potions! For a spiritual healer, the Medicine Man sure has a spectacular style. 

1: Poseidon (Mythology Island)

And here it is, winning the Poptropica-wide fashion show in the number one spot: Poseidon! This Greek god may live in an underwater cave, but the sea water hasn’t ruined his good looks one bit. With his starfish-bearing crown and powerful trident in hand, he lets you know right away that he’s king of the seas. The glittering pearl necklace just adds more to the ocean theme, as does his teal-colored skin and pristinely wrapped purple-and-white cloth. The main attraction, of course, is the mustache, resembling kelp as it waves gently in the tugs of the tide! No, Zeus — Poseidon is not “all washed up.”

That just about concludes our fashion tour! I hope you enjoyed traveling from the deserts of Arabian Nights, to the tropics of Shark Tooth and more as we admired some of the greatest fashion styles throughout Poptropica. Let me know in the comments who your Pop 5 best-dressed Poptropicans would be!

—Purple Paw

Hope you enjoyed this guest post by Purple Paw. If you did, be sure to check out the many other Pop 5 posts on the PHB!

The Poptropica Help Blog welcomes interesting Poptropica insights from anyone in the Poptropica community with thoughts to share. You can find some tips and guidelines on our page on how to Write for the PHB, and share blog posts on the PHC.

 📰 If you have an idea for a PHB post, send it in! ✨

Mystery Train Island, Pop Places IRL

Pop Places IRL: Mystery Train 🚂

Spotted Dragon
Pop Places IRL Header

Welcome back to “Pop Places IRL,” Poptropicans, and all aboard! For this post, let’s chug on over to Mystery Train Island, shall we? And if you’re liking the series, be sure to check out other Pop Places IRL posts.

Though we spend most of this island on—can you guess?—a train, we do still visit some very important stops along our adventure. And, truth be told, Mystery Train is certainly one of the more historically founded islands! From the train, to the cities, and even to the passengers, Mystery Train features very real people, places, and things (however we’ll focus more on locations today, not figures). So… full steam ahead!

On Main Street, before we even board the train and begin the mystery, we find ourselves in none other than Washington, DC. We can see the US Capitol Building in the background, but we aren’t staying for long!

  • photo: Washington DC (thetelegraph)

But beyond the very real cities, even the train itself is historically accurate! The John Bull locomotive, which is named on our ticket, is the main location of our adventure but is also an IRL train that journeyed to the IRL Columbian Exposition in 1893. Yes sir, all the way from DC to Chicago!

  • photo: John Bull Locomotive (wikipedia)

Our next stop is Chicago, but before we pull into the station, let’s take a very quick look at our train’s interior first. The train in Poptropica had large individual rooms for its passengers, which is quite fancy if you ask me. But hey, traveling back in the day seemed to be quite the luxurious feat! Can you believe those big cushy seats?

  • Whodunit: Who, indeed.
  • Train Attraction: Ride the rails in style.
  • photo: Pullman Palace Car (thevintagenews)
  • photo: Pullman Parlor Car (thegoodolddays)

Alright, now let’s pull into the great city of Chicago, Illinois. The station has obviously grown and changed a lot since 1893, hasn’t it? Well, we can’t stay long anyhow! Mademoiselle Moreau is getting away!

  • All Is Fair: Let’s skip all the exposition, shall we?
  • photo: Train Travel in the 1800s (oldphotoarchive)
  • photo: Chicago (visittheusa)

It’s time to chase Moreau into the Chicago World’s Fair. Though one can’t help but stop and stare at that huge Ferris Wheel!

  • Stealers Wheel: One thing this wheel needs is an effective “spokes”-person.
  • photo: Chicago’s Ferris Wheel (chicagoarchitecturecenter)

And with that, it looks like we’ve finally reached the end of the line. It was quite an adventure! Considering Mystery Train is one of Poptropica’s more historically founded islands, just how well do you think it holds up to its IRL counterparts? Did it seem on track, or was it a full on train wreck? What other islands do you want us to compare in this series? Comment your thoughts below!

Until next time, Poptropicans! Safe travels!

~SD

Community Creations

Community Creations: August 2020

Spotted Dragon
community-creations-logo

Hello once again everyone! Spotted Dragon here bringing you the August recap for Community Creations! August’s theme was Poptropolis Games Tribes (and the featured work is not in any particular order). Be sure to check out all the featured artists!

No clue what’s going on? Go see our intro post.

Top 5 Picks

PHB Poptropolis Games Banner by Gentle Dolphin

Hey!!! I’m in this one!!! *ahem* Potential biases aside, this banner design totally rocks. Featuring each one of the Tribe Representatives from our recent Tribal Tournament (which included current PHB authors as well as other community members), a display of pride for each tribe is shown in this piece. I love the respective color schemes, with each section containing a unique style (background, posing, expression, etc.). Insane detail and variety in such seemingly simple color blocking! Find her DeviantArt here.

Seraphim for the Win by happyclonetrooper

Oooh, this one is practically glowing! Practically… flying? The subtle lighting of the sun behind Maroon Ring, as well as the misty layering of the clouds, creates such an immersive environment. The colors and lineart are super clean, and I love seeing how the texture of the rock differs from the grass and trees. Plus, the square framing is quite unexpected! And yet the Poptropican is still able to feel as if they are leaping out at the viewer. Seraphim is lucky to have this artist on their team! Find her DeviantArt here or her Instagram here.

Wild Fire by Fierce Flyer

This submission has some pretty stunning lighting as well, wouldn’t you say? A simple composition, but effectively bold in its execution! The smooth movement and bright colors of the flames are quite an excellent display of Wildfire pride. And the jacket really makes FF look… well, fierce! The expression and setting make him appear ready for competition! Flameo! Find his DeviantArt here or chat with him on Discord.

Black Flags Costume by Greedy Shadow

Nice, I love a costume submission! We certainly saw an outstanding amount of Black Flags representation this year, huh? And for good reason! This outfit perfectly matches the dark/mysterious, yet powerful aesthetic of the tribe. And the setting of this overcast overhang just adds to that brooding theme! This costume was without a doubt well put together. Find them in the comment section!

The Poptropolis Games by Celeste (Purple Paw)

Another cool representation of all the tribes! Though we each are steadfast with pride for our individual teams, it is nice to see them come together in creations such as this. The composition features so many classic Poptropolis Games, er, games, but which one is your favorite? I love the diversity yet simultaneous unity among these scenes, along with the energy that they display. A fantastic submission! Find them in the comments section or on Discord as Purple Paw (and congratulate them on being the MVP for Round 2 of the tournament!).

Honorable Mentions

  • Black Flags by AdventurersNHunters
  • Wrestling by PegaKid2012
  • The Skull by PopKat
  • Joe Puddy in Yellowjackets by thehypercutter
  • Flying Squid Outfit by Magic Flipper

Going hand in hand with the PHB’s Tribal Tournament, this month was so much fun! From artwork, to trivia, to poems, and games, wasn’t it a blast? For the results of the tournament, along with a ton of other amazing Poptropolis Games Tribal artwork, be sure to check out our recap post.

September: How Do I Participate?

Community Creations is a cool series for anyone in the Poptropica community to join in on. To sum up what it’s about, it’s basically a chance to show off your artwork, creepy fan-fics, Pop clubhouses, costumes, and anything else that pops into your mind.

If we really like the piece you submit, we will feature it here on the PHB! As long as it relates to that month’s theme. So what is September’s theme? September’s theme is…

Masks!

During times like these, it is super important to wear masks and try our best to keep one another safe. But masks aren’t just hassle! They can be creative, fashionable, and fun to wear too. So why not bring something we all have in common to this month’s theme, and spread a little awareness along the way? This month is for all those super creative minds out there!

Poptropica has already gifted us with some in-store face masks (both fun and friendly), but do you have any cool mask designs for our Poptropicans to wear? In fact, your creations can really bend the limits on what “mask” really means. Maybe you want to take inspiration from Super Power Island and PoptropiCon and design your own masked Poptropican superhero! Maybe the masked Medicine Man from Shark Tooth Island deserves more fan art? Or maybe you could even design some DIY Poptropica themed masks for yourself IRL!

  • Comment below with a link to whatever you’ve created OR share it with me (SydVC aka Spotted Dragon) on DeviantArt, Twitter, or Discord.
  • Results: I will feature 5 of the submissions as well as some honorable mentions.
  • Limitations: Nothing NSFW, and make sure you relate to the theme.
  • Due Date: I will take any entries before the end of this month. Submit as many things as you’d like!

I will be sure to let you know I have seen your creation. While quality counts, I’m mainly looking for something to simply catch my eye, so don’t be afraid to join in!

So what are you waiting for? Go make something awesome!

~SD