If you haven't seen Zhu Zhu Pets yet, you're not alone. It seems like kids everywhere are going crazy for these things, but they aren't available anywhere in local stores. What's the deal? What are these things and why are kids so nuts over them?

Let me explain. Zhu Zhu Pets (formally Go Go Pets) are small battery operated hamsters that run around and play much like a real hamster, but without all the fuss and muss. They are designed with two different modes of play, loving and explore. When you set them in Loving Mode, they want to be picked up and cuddled. They coo and respond to your child's touch like a little baby animal. But when the kiddos are ready to really get going, they can switch them over to Explore Mode. In this mode the pets are ready to run and play like crazy. Just get out of the way and let the kids chase them around the house.

In addition to the four pets, Mr. Squiggles, Num Nums, Chuckles, and Pipsqueak, there are a number of different accessories you can get to make the play time even more fun. Just like real hamsters, Zhu Zhu Pets offers play balls, play wheels, funhouses and even a car. Many of the different accessories can be connected together and linked so that the pets can run around inside and visit all the different areas. Your kids will love these things.

Unfortunately, because of the huge demand for these things, they are hard to find in stores. If you do run across them, snatch them up. If your kids don't want them for Christmas, you can be sure that your friends' will.