Trying to get my child to go out and run a bit with me, worked ok so far but I know it might get boring at some point.

So I was looking for any kind of children friendly app that either counts distance or steps just for a run, so not at all times, and then gives some kind of reward for that. Like a dog growing up or whatever, something ok for kids. Zombie run comes up often but I don’t think my child is into that, bit too scary maybe with the zombie theme.

Other apps I found are counting steps continously, or there are some elaborate minigames connected. I really don’t want my little one to spend more time on a screen, so thats not great either. Like Pokemon Go, not into Pokemon yet anyway but its too much aside from the actual running/walking.

Anybody got a good suggestion that goes in that direction?

  • variants@possumpat.io
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    1 year ago

    A dog haha, but also good to get kids to be bored sometimes, boredom is important for future hobbies and projects, I got stuck on reddit for a good while and all my hobbies suffered because it was easier to pick up my phone and browse than to put in the effort to continue my hobbies

    • RBG@discuss.tchncs.deOP
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      1 year ago

      Yeah sure, but this is exercise. Which is good for health but certainly not too much fun when you run the same area a million times. So if some app would help keeping up interest in that, whatever.

      • FeatherConstrictor@sh.itjust.works
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        1 year ago

        If you can’t find an app, you could pretty easily gamify it yourself. Use any step counter app and at home you can set up a page with a chart that you add stickers to ever maybe 5p or 100 steps or so, and when you fill up the bar you unlock what’s inside, like an advent calendar? You could do things like dress up a stuffed animal, or have an egg hatch and print out pictures of it changing and growing, little speech bubbles of encouragement etc.

        • RBG@discuss.tchncs.deOP
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          1 year ago

          That could definitely be an emergency alternative if there is really nothing else, yes. I will look into the Finch app, have seen it scrolling through the Play Store but like you said, does not work directly with steps. Maybe can do that indirectly though. Thanks for suggestions!