NB Reima are discontinuing this range and support at the end of 2020.
The Kids of the Wild jury remains out on technology for kids, even tech that gets them outdoors (like Pokemon Go, though we can see the benefit for those who would otherwise be on a screen indoors). Our philosophy is, if you’re outside you shouldn’t be on a screen.
Technology in the Outdoors?
However, an intriguing mix of tech and outdoors just might help some families get outside more and, if used cleverly by adults, could even help our national obesity problem by helping children lose weight without knowing it…
Caroline, who’s 8, has LOVED testing the ReimaGo activity sensor for the last few months.
It has real potential for families needing an extra push to get active, both indoors and outdoors. Plus it’s great fun!
What is ReimaGO?
It’s a kind of sci-fi-feel Fitbit for children with a cool app on an adult’s phone recording daily activity including round-the-world challenges and ‘prizes’ for achievement.
How Does ReimaGO Work?
Simple.
- Download the app
- Connect the disc to a velcro-fastening wrist strap sensor worn by the child or alternatively, and doubly sci-fi, connect it to sensor pockets in certain items of Reima clothing (look out for our ski jacket and T-shirt reviews coming soon!)
- ReimaGO records the child’s activity for as long as they wear it; movement, duration, intensity plus number of steps taken and total distance each day
- At the end of the day, disconnect, shake the disc to connect to the app via Bluetooth and watch as the day’s activity uploads
Kids get to see what they’ve achieved in numbers as well as with a pictorial trail around the world through cities or jungles as the child (or adult) chooses.
There’s a parents area where targets and challenges can be set (daily, weekly etc).
It can be used for multiple family members – ours includes a section for the dog(!) – and survived a brief spin in the washing machine as it’s water resistant to 30m!
Encourage Fitness and Health
Caroline needs-no encouragement to be active, especially outdoors, but I can see real benefit for families with more sedentary kids needing to lose weight or get fitter.
The goals and challenges are fun and I imagine kids dashing round the block, connecting up to check their goal then running off again if they haven’t hit their target!
Caroline uses hers canoeing, hiking, running, walking, playing, climbing, paddling, tree-climbing, at Cubs, cycling, even at dancing!
ReimaGO records movement so we’ve noticed a tendency for car journeys to show as activity – must be our bumpy old banger – but could be used by astute wildlings to ‘cheat’ their targets!
I’m quite taken with the potential for ReimaGO as I look at ways of reaching families who don’t have outdoor time in their lives. I also know many outdoor kids who love computers enough to love this just for the sake of it! Definitely worth a try and a great, though not super-cheap, stocking filler.
Pros
- Fun
- Interactive
- Encourages activity, fitness and health
- Reima clothing has sensor pockets!
- 16-24 cm wrist band for use with non-Reima clothing
- Multi-coloured wrist straps available (suitable for swimming)
- Water resistant to 30m
- Approx 6 month battery life
- Doesn’t interfere with/get in the way of activity
- App available in English, Russian and Chinese
Cons
- Wrist strap could get snagged on things (though ours hasn’t yet)
- Requires iPhone/iPad iOS 9 and Android 6.0. or newer
- Requires Bluetooth Smart
- Watch for non-activities being recorded eg car journeys
I’m interested to know your thoughts on outdoor technology for kids – please comment below to let me know.
NB Kids of the Wild received a ReimaGO Activity Sensor for the purposes of this review. All views and observations are my own (and Caroline’s, aged 8).
For more books and outdoor gear reviews browse Kids of the Wild’s reviews section
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I must say this does look pretty cool. I think I want one for myself. My husband has one of those fancy watches that can measure heart rate and all sorts etc. This is a great idea. Sarah #adventurecalling
I’m such a techno-dunce I’ve never seen a Fitbit but I think these are similar but much more child friendly.
I can see my oldest wildling liking this gadget – he needs little encouragement to get active outdoors, but he would love it all the same. I am a bit like you when it comes to technology – not a huge fan of it 😉
#Adventurecalling
The more I read about ReimaGO research, the more I get a good feeling about the potential for kids who aren’t excited about getting outdoors and active. I’m opening my mind to outdoor technology more each day (but only so far!!). Like you r wildlings, Caroline’s outdoorsy yet she still loves checking it each night and seeing what she’s achieved that day. Let’s watch this space!
I have to say I have a fitbit and it encourages me to do a bit more, maybe at say 12.500 steps so will aim for 13.000 and walk a few more so if it works to encourage me, I am sure the children could get competitive with each other and I like you am a firm believer of outside without technology.
Nice that it is waterproof
I actually hadn’t clocked that it was waterproof when the washing machine incident occurred so there was a minor household panic. Phew for a forward-thinking company! It does seem to be inspiring kids to get out and active more which can only be a good thing. I’ve never used a Fitbit but imagine it creates a similar impetus to do more. Thanks for dropping by.
Yep – think Rowan would like this too. He’d love the idea of the trail of hat he has done. Ta for the review.
#adventurecalling
It’s that trail challenge that definitely maintains inspiration for kids to keep active/become more active. I’m impressed despite my lack of love for tech!
I have just the same philosophy as you when it comes to outdoors however I can see kids quite enjoying the fun aspect of this and for more than one child in a family it could give some healthy competition.
Thanks for sharing on #CountryKids
I’ve just replied to someone else about the ongoing research which is initially showing that kids using these are asking schools and parents for more time outdoors to achieve the challenges – fingers crossed!
I’m very much like you and we’re pretty much a screen free zone whether at home too really. But i like the idea of this more than most things I’ve seen and ideal for less outdoor loving families too #CountryKids
I’m really reticent about outdoor technology but I can see this as really beneficial to many people, as you say. There is ongoing research showing that kids using the ReimaGo start asking for more time outdoors to complete the challenges. If this is proved it will be great news. Thanks for reading
I agree with you about outdoors being screen time free but if it also helps them get a bit more active it’s not a bad thing, looks quite smart too #countrykids
It does look cool and there are coloured waterproof straps available too. Thanks for popping over
Quite an interesting view point as my children are outdoors and active a lot so they have fitness watches – but not to encourage them it is so they know that they are doing (such how fast they are running when they do 5k). I do see your point though. This looks a good motivator though with the targets etc.
Thanks for your thoughts. ReimaGO is aimed at encouraging movrment activity in those who need it rather than detailed recording for those already active (though it’s still fun for active kids), which it does do but not particularly efficiently as seen by it recording bumpy car journeys as activity!! Like you say, it’s a great motivator.
This might help my son to track his activity. He is very active but has days when he vegetates!
Sounds like it might do! He could challenge himself to do something every day with a ‘reward’at the end!
I know a lot of people will shun technology altogether when they’re outdoors but, for me, I think anything that gets kids wanting to be more active and spend time outside is great. Thanks for joining us on #adventurecalling we open again for new posts in the morning.
I’m a ‘want to shun technology’ type of person but I can really see the benefits of this kind of thing for the internet native generations. I’ll pop over again tomorrow
I love this idea, I’ve often thought about putting my fitbit on Finn-just to see how far he travels in a day! But something designed especially for kids is great. I know that some primary schools have had success getting kids more active by measuring their activity and anything that helps has got to be a good thing. Thanks so much for sharing with us #AdventureCalling
I really like it too! Thanks for hosting the linky again. I’ll be over there soon