Encouraging our kids to leave their screens aside and to jump outside to enjoy a beautiful day isn’t as easy as we would like it to be. Sadly, new generations are spending less time enjoying outdoor activities or spending time with their friends in the middle of the woods, or hiking mountains.
So many technology companies have understood the importance of encouraging movement, and have developed devices that, even if can be considered “screens” or “video games”, help kids keep on moving while having fun. The Nintendo Wii is a great example of this, and since its appearance, many others have come up with new, phenomenal technologies to close this gap.
But, how do you encourage your children to leave the comforts of their bedroom to enjoy a nice day out? Could we use apps and technology to do so? Are there any apps that encourage outdoor activities? Yes, there are!
In this short but extremely useful article, we will show you 3 of the best apps to motivate your children to do outdoor activities. In the next few paragraphs, you’ll fully understand that technology is not our enemy, and that it can certainly be used to promote a healthier, nature-connected, and outgoing lifestyle to our children.
So, are you ready to explore these apps? Get your smartphone -and your kids’ one- ready, because you will like to download more than one of the apps we are going to show you. Will your kids want to spend more time after downloading these great apps? We cannot assure a yes as an answer, but if you motivate them well enough, they’ll most likely will.
3 apps for kids that’ll get them outside!
So your children are locked inside their rooms and the only sound you hear is Fortnite’s theme song? Don’t worry! There is something we can do. First of all, you have to know that video games are not bad at all for your kids’ development. Believe it or not, video games have a huge educational impact and can provide them with numerous skills, such as strategic thinking, creativity, teamwork, and even leadership.
That being said, we totally advocate for a healthy balance. Therefore, we comprehend the importance of having a life outdoors and the positive impact exercising has. That is why, we want to show you 3 apps that will encourage kids to leave the house and go outside!
Many things have been done, including a great augmented reality app from Colorado, that motivates young children to interact with nature and parks. But now, we’d like to show you some apps we haven’t discussed previously. Enjoy!
Pokemon Go
This might bring you memories from your own childhood. Some of you got to enjoy the very beginning of this TV cartoon and -most likely- you fell in love with Pikachu and his cuteness. Well, with this well known app, your kids will have to leave the 4 walls that they appreciate so much to catch some Pokemons outside of their comfort zone.
There is also a version of this augmented reality app contextualized in the Harry Potter world. Named Harry Potter Wizards Unite, your kids will have to do the same exercise of going outside, to catch some very characteristic elements from the J.K. Rowling books.
Ready? Go!
Star Walk
As they describe it themselves, and they couldn’t do it better, “Star Walk is the most beautiful stargazing app you’ve ever seen on a mobile device. It will become your interactive guide to the night sky, following your every movement in real-time and allowing you to explore over 200, 000 celestial bodies with extensive information (…)”.
By using this app, you and your children will be able to enjoy a nice night out, and track celestial bodies in real-time, among many other things.
How much do you know about stars, planets, and constellations? The right time to learn more about this fascinating field of study is now. And with this app, you’ll have lots of fun…yes, outside.
Disneynature Explore
If you are a parent who is interested in your kids leaving the house to enjoy a day outdoors, this app might be exactly what you were looking for. Disneynature Explore is an interactive app in which your kids will learn a whole lot about nature.
They’ll be able to explore the habitats of 5, and very realistic animals, using the augmented reality technology. Do your children want to learn more about sea turtles, butterflies, bears, lions or monkeys? With this app they certainly can!
Are you excited just yet? This is the kind of app you might enjoy more than your children!
The one they can create!
Your kids have their own ideas. Enabling them to do something extraordinary with those ideas is empowering them. Is giving them the self-confidence they need to succeed in tomorrow’s world. Give your kids the chance to create something from scratch. You’ll be surprised by the breathtaking results of their creative process.
Can your children create their very own apps? Yes, they can! It is only a matter of picking the right learning environment and allowing your children to discover their true potential.
There is no doubt. Kids can create their own apps.
Kids learning how to code. The time is now.
Learning how to code will nurture your children with various 21st-century skills that’ll make them future-ready in almost no-time. Regardless of the career path they pick for themselves, the abilities they can gain while learning how to program will be always useful.
While learning coding, your kids will become critical thinkers who are more resilient and will hold within themselves an immense capacity for creativity and for solving problems.
