Gen Z spends more time inside than previous generations, and it is getting worse. The average American child spends four to seven minutes playing outside and over seven hours a day in front of a screen.
Spending time outdoors isn’t just enjoyable — it’s also necessary. There are countless benefits for children playing outside, both physically and psychologically. They can also build a deeper appreciation for nature, like the generation before them. This emotional connection with nature is essential for humans to create a healthy relationship with our planet.
OutsideIn is an AR game-like experience that helps children nurture a deeper connection with nature. Children use mobile phones to capture insects and birds from the outdoors and place AR versions at home to create an interactive virtual ecosystem. The players can communicate with new friends and play mini-games to help them grow.
OutsideIn uses a child’s enthusiasm for video games to encourage them to play outside and interact with nature in a fun and novel way. Hopefully, these experiences will lead to better interactions with their friends outside in the real world.