App outside!

With the right apps, the mobile phone can also be used creatively during outdoor activities with the family - four recommendations.

1. actionbound

The Actionbound app makes it possible to organise individual scavenger hunts and city rallies in which children find places, solve puzzles or complete tasks. The support provided by photos, map sections, QR codes, texts or links makes it very easy to create on the PC. At the same time, the scavenger hunts are varied and entertaining. For example, players can take a photo as proof that they have visited a post or enter an answer directly into the app. An internet connection is not absolutely necessary, as the entire file is downloaded before the scavenger hunt begins.
Actionbound is free for iOS and Android. The app is suitable for different age groups because the level of difficulty and radius of movement can be changed as required. As the children are travelling alone and operating the smartphone or tablet independently, we recommend using it from the age of ten.

2. family trips

Would you like to take the family out into the countryside but don't know where to go? The Family Trips app contains around 1200 tips for excursions throughout Switzerland. You can filter the suggestions by weather, region, age of children and duration to help you find your way through the huge selection. The spectrum of results is very broad, ranging from adventure hikes, amusement and action sports, nature and animal parks to educational trails and swimming opportunities.
The app is available free of charge for iOS, Android and Windows Mobile. It is designed to be very simple and intuitive to use, so that even younger children(from around five years of age) can choose excursions together with their parents.

3. wild animals and tracks

  • «Papa, was für ein Tier ist da durch den Wald gelaufen?» Bei solchen Fragen geraten Eltern leicht in Verlegenheit. Die App «Wilde Tiere und Spuren» eignet sich aber nicht nur für unkundige Eltern, sondern insbesondere für interessierte Kinder und Jugendliche. Sie ist auch ein Bestimmungs- und Nachschlagewerk für die häufigsten Säugetiere im mitteleuropäischen Raum inklusive Bilder und Tierlaute (als Audio-Datei). Zudem ist ein Quiz integriert, mit dem sich das Wissen testen lässt.

The Pro version of Wild Animals and Tracks 2 is available for Android (CHF 5.80) and iOS (CHF 3). Suitable for children aged eight and over. Bird calls are not included in the app.

4th Star Walk 2

«What's that bright star there? Where is the Great Bear?» A night walk with sky observation is a special excursion for young and old. The Star Walk 2 app shows what's going on in the night and day skies. Using augmented reality, the information is shown directly on the mobile phone display when the device is held up to the sky. In addition to information on stars, planets and constellations, the app also provides information on events such as meteor showers, sun and moon times and satellites.
Star Walk 2 is available in the premium version (without adverts) for iOS (3 Fr.) and Android (4 Fr.). The adverts in the free version are quite intrusive. Various additional information and applications can be used via in-app purchase. Star Walk 2 is suitable for children aged eight and over.

To the author:

 Michael In Albon ist Beauftragter Jugendmedienschutz und Experte Medienkompetenz von Swisscom.
Michael In Albon
is a youth media protection officer and media literacy expert at Swisscom.

On Medienstark you will find tips and interactive learning modules for the competent use of digital media
with digital media in everyday family life. swisscom.ch/medienstark

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