Frolic won first place in the 2019 national Shape of Health competition.
Girls aged 7-12 face multiple barriers to staying physically active, from having no safe place to play outside to parents who discourage them from roughhousing. Only 10% of girls get the recommended daily level of physical activity, compared to almost 30% of boys. Frolic aims to change that outcome by helping girls choose physical play more often, and by helping their parents be more supportive of their activities.
Frolic is a mobile game that uses five key game design principles to create a playful, active experience.
- Minimize screen time. Frolic helps girls put down the phone and play together away from the screen. After each game, girls come back to the phone to get another challenge.
- Reduce uncertainty. Instead of being bored or wondering what to do, girls can get a customized activity from Frolic that’s perfect for their current situation.
- Add reinforcement. Frolic celebrates girls’ successes and tracks their progress over time.
- Include parents. Parents can see their girls’ activities, and get suggestions for how to have fruitful conversations with the girls about their physical play.
- Broaden access. Accessibility needs, from girls with limited mobility to girls with low vision, are taken into account from the beginning of our design.
Collaborators
Melissa Kalarchian (Duquesne)
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