Will an iPhone work without a phone plan?

Hi! So I really want an iPhone and my parents are considering getting me one, but they don't want to pay for a phone bill yet. But if I get one without a plan, but download texting apps such as Kik (especially this one!), Pinger, etc that run off Wi-Fi, will it work? Or will I not be able to get any apps or use the internet?

Of course, you can use it just like an ipod touch but obviously you won't be able to make phone calls without a carrier plan. Imessage will still work even over Wi-Fi.

No. You can only set up a new iphone to use if you have a sim card and to have a sim card you have to have a plan. You can't even get to the home screen to be able to set up Wi-Fi without setting up service first. Get a job and pay your own bill and then you can use as much data as you want besides if you're going to be paying the bill I'm sure your parents are going to be much more willing to get you the iphone