Have you seen activity-tracker gadgets like Fitbit and Nike’s FuelBand? They’re for adults, but LeapFrog is making one for children called LeapBand.
Unveiled this week, it’s a wrist-worn device that aims to “help children get more active and learn about healthy choices” while having fun.
It’s based around a virtual pet game, with children earning points for being physically active – the LeapBand measures their steps and movements – and then spending them on unlocking games, levels and items for the character.
(Oh, and yes, it also works as a watch.)
Children can choose their pet from a cat, dog, dragon, monkey, panda, penguin, robot or unicorn, and customise its colour and name. The points are earned by completing challenges, including some – ‘Walk Like a Crab’ and ‘Pop like Popcorn’ – which are self-explanatory.
The LeapBand also has a companion app – just like those adult fitness-trackers – which is available for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, as well as LeapFrog’s own LeapPad Ultra tablet.
The app – Petathlon – gets children’s pets competing in six sporting events, winning medals and tracksuits as they go. It’ll be free to download.
LeapFrog says that the LeapBand is aimed at 4-7 year-olds. it’s going on sale in August here in the UK for £29.99, with versions available in green, pink, blue and orange.
“LeapBand takes inspiration from the growing trend of adult fitness wearable technology and makes it perfect for kids by bringing the fun and play of physical activities to life with their very own virtual pets,” said LeapFrog’s Dr Jody Sherman LeVos this week.
“One of the best parts of the LeapBand experience is that kids will have so much fun playing they may not realise all of the physical exercise they are experiencing and the healthy habits they are learning.”
We admit, we’re still trying to work out what we think of devices like LeapBand. We’re a bit nervous of children being encouraged to worry too much about things like step-counts and calorie intake in terms of counting the numbers, like adults do. That would load a negative pressure onto many kids, we think.
But if LeapBand really does feel more like play, and doesn’t give children collywobbles about their appearance or personal fitness, it could be a very interesting product. We’ll be hoping to get our hands on one (and, then, to get it onto our own sons’ wrists!) in the summer, so we’ll keep you posted.