Digital experience encourages children to play outside in Cairns

Cairns Regional Council is trialling new digital technology to encourage children to play outside and enjoy the great outdoors. Three locations - Smithfield Library Lawn, Goomboora Park and Ravizza Park - are being transformed into a 'virtual digital fantasyland' through the use of geospatial augmented reality, encouraging children to play outdoors through interacting with virtual unicorns, kittens, dinosaurs, robots and fairies.

The Magical Park app brings the fun of computer games outside.  It is about creating a healthy relationship with technology by using the screen to get children outside and moving around in a fun and engaging setting.

Cairns Mayor Bob Manning notes “this time of the year the weather is perfect for children to be outside, yet so often parents face the battle of getting the kids out of the house – all they want to do is spend the day lying on the couch playing computer games.

“An added bonus is the games are both fun and educational. While exploring the virtual worlds, children will learn about Australian wildlife, the environment and the importance of recycling and animal management.

The Magical Park mobile app is free to download from your mobile device app store. There is no sign-up or subscription to access the eight virtual games.

Magical Park is available to play in three locations in the Cairns Region and gamers must be at the location to play.

Locations:

• Smithfield Library Lawn, Leisure Drive Smithfield

• Goomboora Park, Shale Street Brinsmead

• Ravizza Park, Ravizza Drive Edmonton

Image: Miller (left) and Sonny checking out the Magical Park app. Courtesy Cairns Regional Council