Inspiring children to be out and active!
Despite a few dedicated playground finders and many great outdoor activity apps,
there isn’t a parent-focused platform, that covers a large range of different kids activities.

Preliminary Ideas
A network of playgrounds and family parks.
Have both outdoor and indoor options.
The ability to leave personal notes and lists.
List on-site amenities, and notable admissions.

This is a project from my CareerFoundry’s
UI Design Certificate Program.

my role

I created the brand, story, and UX design.
Conducting Comparative Analysis.
User Research and Personas.
Created User Flow and Diagrams.
Formed a Style Guide.
Created Wireframes & Prototypes.

Comparative Analysis

After doing market research, I identified two web apps that featured location-based map search functions and focused on activities to get kids more active. Here are those details.

kidsinparks.com and discovertheforest.org

kids in parks

Kids in Parks is a network of family-friendly outdoor adventures and experiences. They have location-based map search functions., resources for parents and teachers, featured blogs, and local events.

Key Objectives
Users can download their companion app, ‘Agents of Discovery.’ You can unlock challenges, open new missions, and earn more USBees (points) as you progress. Make the forest part of your story and provide the resources to do so.

Overall Strategy
e-Adventures: These are converted TRACK Trails brochures into e-adventures that can do on a smartphone or tablet. Track Rx: They have partnered with doctor's offices to help introduce kids to TRACK Trails. Partnerships: They have partnered with multiple local, state and federal agencies to join their network.

Market Advantage
Partnerships, like doctor's offices and National Park Foundations, add credibility to your product. Through their e-Adventures, Track Trails, and Backyard Adventures, they have many opportunities to get your kids out and be active. A robust ecosystem is an intelligent way to create a loyal user base.

Bottom Line
1: They provide an interactive family-friendly network to help get your child outside and active. 2: E-Adventures is an intelligent interactive way to compete with dedicated mobile apps in the same space. 3: There are more than 190 TRACK Trails in 12 states, Washington DC, and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation. 4: Endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and recognized by the White House with a "Let's Move! Champion Change" award. 5. Strong partnerships of private and public groups, investing together for the health of our parks and children.

Marketing Profile
Today, there are more than 190 TRACK Trails in 12 states, Washington DC, and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation, comprising a national network of self-guided adventures that inspire kids and families to be more physically active outdoors.

The program has been endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, recognized by the White House with a “Let’s Move! Champion of Change” award, and reviewed favorably as a practice-tested intervention by the Center for Training and Research Translation — a program funded by the Center for Disease Control.

Social Media
In 2012, Nominated for a Shorty Award.

Youtube: 844 subscribers
Pinterest: 62 followers, 3 following.
Instagram: 57 followers, 44 following.
Twitter: 2230 followers, 578 following.
Facebook: 4.2k followers, 4666 following

Bottom Line
1: Kids in Parks is a growing network for outdoor family fun. It is also a nonprofit organization. 2: They have continued to push their core messaging successfully. 3: Their core messaging is to “unplug” from their devices and spend more time outdoors. 4: They have no social media presence in the market.

*A brand sample, courtesy of their website. All rights reserved. For educational use only.* Link Here.

Discover the Forest

Discover the Forest aims to make the forest part of your family’s story. Helping you find a forest or park near you. There is also a robust list of activities with all the information you need to get started. Their web app also features a companion app, where you can explore with ‘Agents of Discovery.’

Key Objectives
For the users to join the network called TRACK Trails. They have self-guided activity brochures and signs that turn your child’s visit into an incredible outdoor experience.

Overall Strategy
Mobile App: Pairing their ‘Agents of Discovery’ app with a clean and efficient web app allows them to compete in many different portions of this growing industry. Resources: They have a great and straightforward collection of resources that educators and parents could easily incorporate into their daily routines. Partnerships: Their partnerships include The Children & Nature Network, Project Learning Tree, PBS KIDS Plum Landing, and Outdoor Nation, to name a few.

Market Advantage
Connecting with PBS KIDS is a great way to associate yourself with a brand your children already trust. Also, securing partnerships with federal and state agencies is a distinct advantage against future competition. Having a fun and interactive companion app that is downloadable and works offline; is an intelligent and competitive edge in the market.

Bottom Line
1: They provide a great location-based activity and park finder. 2: The ‘Agents of Discovery' app is a creative attempt to compete with dedicated mobile apps in the same space. 3: They have a strong group of activities with all the information needed to get started. Including what to do, what to bring, and what activities are nearby. 4: Strong partnerships have generously helped promote the “Discovery the Forest” public ser campaign to reconnect kids with nature.

Marketing Profile
In 2009 Discover the Forest launched a public service campaign created by the Ad Council in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and The Foundry. The campaign encourages parents of tweens to experience the outdoors with their families to strengthen their connection with nature and each other.

Since then, the campaign has amassed more than $369.7 million in donated media support. Over ten million users have visited the web app since January 2014. With efforts like these, they claim 83% of parents with children 8 to 12 to a forest or park, something they are likely to do more often.

Social Media
Youtube: 3.53k subscribers.
Pinterest: 2.2k followers, 149 following.
Twitter: 15.1k followers, 2748 following.
Facebook: 277k followers, 406 following.
Instagram: 12.2 k followers, 616 following.

Bottom Line
1: Discover the Forest is a tremendously successful campaign, not a profit-based company. 2: They have continued to push and diversify their core messaging successfully. 3: Facebook is their primary social media presence. But daily content is not a focus.

User Research

I conducted user research through the Research Learning Spiral with three testers.

Recruitment Message: Dear Tester. As part of a design project, I am conducting interviews to get a better sense of potential users of my future web app. This project is focused on getting kids more fit and active, and I thought your insight would really be valuable. Would you be available to have a 10-minute interview over Skype/Zoom? Suggested Date/Time.

Tester 1: Jean M. 11/20/22, 5pm. WhatsApp.
Tester 2: Mania K. 11/21/22, 9pm. In Person.
Tester 3: Michael R. 11/20/22, 11am. Phone.

Questions, 1: How old are the children in your life, and what activities do they enjoy? 2: How many times a week are you looking for a new activity for a child? 3: How do you currently find new activities for your child? 4: Do you ever use a web app or mobile app to find new experiences? If so, which are your favorites? 5: What features are most helpful when choosing where you look for new activities? 6: What you some frustrations (you have) when looking for new things to do with your child? 7: If a location-based app added the option to add lists and notes, is that a feature you would use? Would it help your daily routine?

Jean M

Age: 65, Status: Divorced, Location: CT, USA. Education: HS Grad. Job Title: Retired.

1: Grandchild. Two, ten, and thirteen. Basketball, volleyball, soccer, video games, baking, swimming, and shopping. 2: It depends on their daily schedule, but when they were younger, all the time. But at least once a week. 3: Usually just Google ‘Fun things for kids.’ Or go to the parks, playgrounds, farms, and indoor places they know. 4: I tried a couple of times. But it wasn't worth the trouble between the ads, the downloads, and creating user accounts. Does use the town website for local seasonal events. 5: Simple to the point. No extra hoops. Easy to navigate directions. It should link directly to mobile maps. 6: The advertisements. The downloads. User names and passwords. 7: Yes, if it was easy to use.

Mania K

Age: 46, Status: Married, Location: MA, USA. Education: Masters of Science. Job Title: Research Scientist 1.

1: Two and an half years old. Loves playgrounds, gymnastics, and swimming. 2: At least a couple of times a week. Depends on the season. During the Summer, it’s almost every day. 3: Through Google searches, but mostly word of mouth. 4: Always uses a mobile device. Hardly on a desktop and uses a laptop for work. Doesn’t know any dedicated sites or apps. 5: Seasonally and timely events. Local towns and community events nearby. Fun indoor options for colder/bad weather days. 6: Too much advertising. None of the info was updated. The content is not designed for mobile. 7: Yes, definitely.

Michael R

Age: 41, Status: Married, Location: NC, USA. Education: Associate’s Degree. Job Title: IT Support Specialist.

1: Seven and ten years old. Softball, soccer, dance, video games, baking, and arts/crafts. 2: Once or twice a week. Mainly on the weekends or vacations. 3: Usually, I Google what I am looking for. 4: I tried a couple that a family friend recommended. But they both just turned into spam and advertising problems. One caused him to have to reset his entire phone. 5: A place with a simple list of playgrounds in his area. Weekly/Monthly calendar of local events. 6: Advertising, spam, and old info. Hard to navigate on a mobile device. 7: Maybe once in a while, but not really needed.

Participant Personas

insights from research

Common Patterns? When asked about frustration, the response was quick, fast, and readily available. But when reflecting on more positive experiences, the data has to be pulled from them, an afterthought. It shows a negative experience's impact on us versus the countless positive experiences we have daily.

Any Surprises? Seasonality needs. The local and seasonal issues weren’t initially on my radar before conducting the interviews.

Noteworthy Quotes? I just ‘Google.’ Searching on the web has been monopolized by Google.

Common Frustrations? Lack of updated content, unresponsive mobile UI, and invasive advertising. Were all common themes.

Lists & Notes? If the execution is done right. Not an essential function. Maybe a feature to add in future iterations

Gathering Requirements

MVP Objective: To design a simple location-based child activity finder to help keep children of all ages engaged and active no matter the weather. Users will have the option to rate, review and save location information and be able to add notes and lists to each activity.

Who is the user? Any parent, grandparent, or child-carer looking to help find activities for children to be out and active. Any child who is with the child-carer; who is using the app.

What major goals and tasks will users want/need to accomplish? 1: Find a child-safe park to visit within a searchable radius. 2: Find a child-safe playground to visit within a searchable radius. 3: Finding new indoor child-safe activity locations within a searchable radius. 4: Adding personal notes and lists to saved locations to help make the activity safe and organized. 5: To be able to review and rate locations and activities that are featured on the platform.

What will the product do? 1: Using the location the user has entered, display relevant activities within a selected radius of that location. 2: Allow users to create an account to add additional features and personalize their future experiences. 3: Allow users to select locations or activities and save them to a favorites list. 4: Save the user’s reviewed and rated locations and activities. 5: Save the user’s login information, location, and preferences. 6: Advertise related content that may appeal to the user.

Where will the product by used? Anywhere there is a mobile or internet connection. At their home, they use a desktop computer or laptop. On the go, using a tablet or smartphone.

‘Finding new ways to keep children fit and active
is a constant concern for all parents.’

Why does the user need the product? Finding new ways to keep children fit and active is a concern for all parents. Ease of use. Users need a simple and efficient way to find new activities. Users want to plan an activity based on location and account for upcoming weather conditions. To be able to save favorite locations and filters to reduce planning and search time.

What information will be created, entered, or featured in the product? 1: Choose whether you would like to create an account, log in to your account or continue as a guest screen. 2: Filter and search functions within a location-based map. 3: List any helpful amenities that are on-site or need to be included. 4: Highlight local community events in your area. 5: A saved location/activity page for destinations the user has selected to save for fast access. 6: As well as list/notes that the user has added. 7: To be able to review and rate location and activities. 8: An efficient and non-intrusive way to advertise to our users about related activities and products that may interest them.

What particular business goals are you trying to achieve with this product launch? Build user trust. So parents have a safe resource to help keep their children safe and active. To be a stable and safe platformless option amongst the mobile-app dominant culture. Establish brand loyalty. Becoming a brand parents can trust can help our potential expansion and future release plans.

Are there any existing development, design, or business rules that need to be followed? A responsive web app that can be used irrespective of device. It must be optimized for mobile use since most users rely on this platform daily. It must be appropriate and safe to use for users of any age. Which platform and devices will the product live on? Tablet, iOS, and Android. Desktop or laptop computers. Mobile Devices. iOS and Android

MVP Iterations one

When I visit the web app, I want to be able to create an account, so I can organize locations and activities to make it easier to plan in the future.

When creating an account, I want to have my information safe and secure, so I can have a safe and convenient way to plan new activities for my child.

When I create an account, I want to have an option to save my information, so I can I stay logged in to my account and quickly have access to my saved information.

When I want to find a new location or activity, I want to search by indoor, outdoor, and by location, so I can find the best activity based on my location and weather.

When looking for an activity, I want to see the events up-to-date, detailed and location-based, so I can find new local events to share with my family in my community.

When I visit a location or activity, I want to have safe and accurate directions to and from the location, so I can arrive as safely and efficient as possible.

When I want to save a location or activity, I want to easily and quickly add it to my favorites list, so I can quickly access it later and plan my activity.

When I save a location or activity, I want to be able to add a note or list, so I can make sure I have everything we need as seamless as possible.

MVP Iterations two

When I visit a location, I want to know what child amenities are available, so I can have everything needed for my child to have a safe and fun afternoon.

When I save a location or activity, I want to be able to organize them in different categories, so I can organize different experiences for different child-carers.

When I research a new location, I want to read others users reviews, so I can I make a more inform decision if this is the appropriate activity for my child.

When I visit a location or activity, I want to be able to leave feedback on my experience, so I can help contribute to this community and help keep our children healthy.

When am I planning a new activity, I want to have my child interact and help with the process, so I can stimulate new skills and thinking and get them more engaged.

When I decide I love this web app, I want to be able to pay a small fee, so I can enjoy an ad-free experience and have access to new and useful features in the future.

When in a darker location, I want to be able to able to switch to a ‘dark mode’, so I can navigate and use the web app more comfortably and safely.

Hypothesis

We believe that providing parents with accurate and up-to-date activities in their area, while giving them additional tools to make planning easier; will encourage more families to live a more engaging and active lifestyle.

Success Metrics

The number of user profiles created.
Social Media: Sharing positive experiences.
Outside inquiries for advertising opportunities.
Consistent repeat engagement to the web app.

proof of concept

User Flows

mOOD BOARDS

I focused on three words.
Cute, Engaging, and Seasonal.

I wanted the content to immediately appeal to a younger demographic and engage them in being healthy, active, and fit.

style guide

Below is our style guide for this project.
It includes our typography, color palette, UI elements, imagery & illustrations, and copy & language guidelines.