In the 2000s, Neopets was a phenomenon. Aside from its website, Neopets sold merchandise including books, stuffed animals, video games, and even a trading card game. Over a decade later, the site is still alive.

Neopets isn't all that it once was -- several features are gone and ads and in-app purchase items are prevalent -- but chances are you'll remember quite a bit of it when you log in all these years later. Whether you're looking to relive some nostalgia or want your kids to give it a try, here are some fun things to try in Neopets today.

Note that because Neopets allows you to jump directly to most of its pages, we've provided many links for your convenience. We also recommend you consult a guide website such as Jellyneo or Sunnyneo for help, as they provide great information and explain many Neopets concepts.

1. Explore Neopia

Navigating via the map of Neopia is the way to get around and see what's in the world. Click Explore on your top bar to see the map and visit its many lands. Each one holds shops, games, special events, and more for you to discover. In particular, Neopia Central is a great place for beginners to visit as it holds shops with useful items that aren't too expensive.

2. Customize Your Home and Pets

Part of the fun of Neopets is making your pet look cool. You can do this by purchasing items through the NC (Neocash) Mall, but this is a premium currency that costs real-world money. The mall offers you 150 NC free to start, but it's not worth the real cash unless you're a Neopets fanatic.

You can customize your pets without spending real money by leveling them up and giving them equipment. The Battledome is the place to pit your pets against various opponents in turn-based combat, but they aren't very strong when they're new! You'll have to train them using the Swashbuckling Academy or the Mystery Island Training School to raise their stats. You can also purchase items from shops, such as weapons and shields, that increase your attack capabilities. Check out the Battledome tutorial if you're interested.

Another customization feature is your Neohome. While some items cost real-world Neocash, many items can be purchased with regular Neopoints. Have a look at the various shops that sell items for your home and make it as cozy as you like!

3. Collect Avatars

Neopets has its own forums, called the Neoboards, that let you chat with other users about all kinds of topics. Whenever you post a reply, your avatar displays for all to see. There are some default avatars, but hundreds of alternative ones you can collect through different means, too.

Because many of the avatars are specific and hard to earn unless you know about them, you should check out an avatar guide. You'll find categories which help a lot with earning avatars. For instance, many of them are retired or only available through expensive means, like having a rare item in your inventory. Usually these are earned by borrowing them from another user, which requires collateral to prove you're not a thief.

Don't let those discourage you from avatar hunting, though. You can earn dozens of clickable avatars by simply visiting the pages of special pets or random pages around the site. Once you've got the easy ones, move onto the game avatars. Some of them are tough, so you'll have to practice up on their games to claim the prize! It's rewarding once you do, though.

4. Complete the Altador Plot

Back in its prime, Neopets had several "plots" that revolved around an area of the world. These took place over a short time and involved puzzles, stories, and sometimes battles. When you participated, you received exclusive rewards for your time. Most of these are long since retired, but one plot is still open to everyone: the Altador plot.

The steps were originally revealed day by day, but you can complete the whole thing in one go now. You should definitely follow a guide to the plot as it's pretty obtuse and thus nearly impossible to figure out on your own. This is a great way to explore part of Neopia and earn some exclusive rewards in the process!

5. Play Some Games

One of the best parts of Neopets is its huge collection of games. Whether you're in the mood for action, puzzles, or a card game, there's a game here for you. Games are also the quickest way to earn Neopoints, which you need to do lots of activities on the site. Neopoints let you buy items in shops, spin wheels that give you a chance at a special item, and more.

Each game has a different exchange rate that shows how many Neopoints you earn for every in-game point. You can submit your score up to three times per day for each game, so if you have a bad run just restart and try again. There's also a featured game each day that awards double Neopoints. For maximum earning potential, check out Jellyneo's guide on earning 50,000 Neopoints every day.

A few of the best games you should try:

None of these games are the best you've ever played, but many of them are actually pretty fun and have some depth. Have a look at all the games and try any that suit your fancy! There are also legal cheats in some games you can use for an advantage.

6. Go Deeper With Extras

For even more Neopets fun, get into a routine by doing the Dailies. Dailies refer to quick activities you can do once per day that reward you with Neopoints and items. You might not get something every time you try, but they're worth taking a few minutes to complete.

If you fancy yourself a financial guru and have some Neopoints to spare, check out the Neopets stock market and start trading. You might want to review a guide to the stock market before you start -- even if you have real investing experience!

Many people make Neopoints through restocking. To restock, you wait for the regular shops to load new items, then quickly buy them and sell them at a higher price at your own shop, which other players can visit. It's probably not something most casual players will bother with, but if you're serious about making Neopoints it's worth a try.

Ready to Revisit Neopets?

While Neopets isn't as exciting as it was in its popularity, there's still plenty on offer at the site. With avatars, an entire plot, lots of games, and advanced tactics like restocking, Neopets has a lot more depth than it first appears. Hopefully you can enjoy revisiting one of your favorite old sites or introduce someone to it for the first time.

Did you play Neopets back in its heyday or will you give it a try for the first time? Share your fondest Neopets memories and fun activities down in the comments with us!