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Editor's note: This article is part of KSL's App of the Week, which features a different app with Utah ties each week. Send tips for future articles to ddewey@ksl.com. SALT LAKE CITY — A new app made in Utah creates a virtual playground for kids to explore and learn.
Play Wild! was developed by WildWorks and is a sister product to the company's Animal Jam, which was released online a few years ago. Kids can create different animal avatars and meet up with friends online to chat or explore the virtual world together.
"It's an immersive digital experience that provides an environment where kids can chat with friends and play games and then there's an educational aspect as well," said Matt Lind, a public relations representative for WildWorks. "As they run around with their animal avatars, there are certain stations or areas throughout the map where they can activate learning modules."
WildWorks and the National Geographic have come together to create a lot of the different educational content so kids can learn about various animals and their dens while they explore the world.
"I think parents like it because it's educational and informative. Kids like it because they can meet friends and hang out with friends," said Lind.
Lind said the online world is very safe for kids and the company has taken a lot of measures to keep it a safe environment. Certain keywords will flag conversations to prevent bullying or anything inappropriate immediately. Parents are also able to limit a child's interaction to just the learning camps and restrict the chat capabilities.
Play Wild! is currently only available for the iPad, but the company plans to release apps for the iPhone and Android in the near future. It is free to download and play but also offers several in-app purchases. The app has an average 4.5-star rating after 1,200 reviews.
Animal Jam online is free to play but also has a subscription for premium content which costs $6.95 a month or $57.95 a year.
