From VR storytelling apps that bring fairy tales to life to creativity-boosting playgrounds that encourage independent play, these modern parenting innovations allow moms and dads to stay on the cutting-edge of cool.
Inside the house, parents are increasingly turning to new technology to interact with their kids in a more meaningful way. For instance, Samsung's Bedtime VR Stories app helps bring the tradition of storytelling to life by giving parents a way to interact with their children in a virtual fantasy world. Similarly, a subscription service called Storied Myth combines digital experiences with tactile objects to help parents interact with the children through different mediums.
Beyond the home, there are a number of creative activities that have been designed for the contemporary family. Many of these modern parenting innovations revolve around millennial values such as creative play and global experiences. Some of these novel family activities include creativity-boosting playgrounds that lack fixed equipment, family cooking programs that promote hands-on learning and kid-friendly yoga classes that encourage an active lifestyle.
34 Modern Parenting Innovations
From VR Storytelling Apps to Creativity-Promoting Playgrounds:
Katherine Pendrill — Jun 2, 2016 — Lifestyle
34
Self-Propelled Strollers
The 'Smartbe' Intelligent Child Stroller Allows for Handsfree Operation
33
Creativity-Promoting Playgrounds
This Adventure Playground in New York Promotes Imaginative Play
32
Kid-Friendly Design Books
This Children's Art Book is Designed to Teach Readers About Color
31
DIY Doll Kits
Seedling's Personalized Doll Toy is Reflective of a Young Maker Culture
30
DIY Archery Kits
Seedling's Adventurous Toy Set Lets Kids Design Their Own Bow and Arrow
29
Gender-Neutral Science Kits
This Educational Toy Introduces Kids to Science at a Young Age
28
Charity-Focused Family Vacations
This Organization Offers Trips for Socially Conscious Families
27
App-Enabled Storybooks
PLAYFUL BOOKS Creates Interactive Story Books for Kids and Parents
26
Art History Activity Cards
The Art in a Box Set is a Great Art History Introduction for Kids
25
Pre-School Game Apps
The EasyPeasy App Sends Skill-Developing Game Ideas to Parents of Little Ones
24
Interactive Game Projectors
The Lumo Interactive Projector Turns Kids' Rooms Into Playgrounds
23
Family-Building Games
'The Family Game' Encourages Low-Tech Bonding and Communication
22
VR Storytelling Apps
Samsung's Bedtime VR Stories Puts a High-Tech Twist on Storytelling
21
Family-Friendly Painting Workshops
This Company Offers Painting Workshops for the Whole Family
20
Kid-Friendly Gardening Kits
Mountain Lily Farm's Garden Seed Kit Encourages Kids to Get Outdoors
19
Family-Friendly Laser Tag Activities
Laser City Specializes in Kid-Friendly Competitive Gaming
18
Interactive Dinner Trays
The Yumit Food Tray Encourages Healthy Eating Habits in Kids
17
Indoor Playground Workshops
Sprouts Kids Hosts Family-Friendly Fitness, Play and Dance Workshops
16
Family-Friendly Yoga Classes
This Yoga Studio Provides a Fun Way for Parents and Children to Bond
15
Family Bike Tours
This Company Offers Exciting Vacation Packages for Active Families
14
Kid-Friendly Festival Events
The UK's Curious Arts Festival Hosts Creative Workshops for All Ages
13
Gamified Homework Apps
Gradestar Lets Children Earn Rewards For Completing Their Homework
12
Tablet-Based Storytelling Platforms
Storied Myth Brings Digital and Tangible Objects Together
11
Toddler-Targeted Circus Classes
This Event Makes the Circus Accessible to Parents and Toddlers
10
Affordable Family Tablets
The Durable, User-Friendly Amazon Fire Tablet Costs Just $50
9
Whimsical Literary Museums
The Roald Dahl Museum Features Fun Interactive Exhibits for Kids
8
Familial Yoga Retreats
World Family Yoga Offers Fun and Kid-Friendly Wellness Programs
7
Family Yoga Retreats
Yogaville's Weekend Retreats Help Parents and Kids Reduce Stress
6
Family-Friendly Museum Tours
The Guggenheim Offers Special Activity Kits for Children
5
Toddler-Friendly Nature Programs
The Sprouts Parent and Tot Play Program Helps Kids Explore Nature
4
Family-Friendly Projectors
This Mini Cinema Projector Allows Parental Control Over Content
3
Children's Cooking Programs
The Chef Upstairs Offers Kid-Friendly Food Workshops for All Ages
2
Family-Friendly Coding Workshops
This Startup Helps Families Learn About New Technology
1
Family-Friendly Dance Classes
The Classes at J'Adore Dance Introduce Kids to Exercise in a Fun Way
Related Ideas
Gamified XR Vacuuming Apps
'Spatial Vacuuming' Makes Home Cleaning Engaging and Rewarding
AI-Powered Toy Attachments
The App-Paired ToyPal One Brings Soft Toys to Life for Screen-Free Fun
Child-Friendly Medication Dispensers
The 'Singing Bottle' Concept by Fengrui Wang is Interactive
Interactive Early Education Toys
Tokidos PlayCubes Have a Screen-Free Design
Mental Health-Friendly Homes
Hong Kong's Playpod Sanctuary is Functional and Healing
AI-Powered Choose-Your-Own Adventure Books
Playbrary GPT Merges Literature with Gaming
AI-Fuelled Caregiving Apps
Nanni AI is an App that Helps Parents Understand their Babies
GenAI Storybook Illustrators
Storybooks Turns Kids' Beloved Toys into Main Characters
Virtual Holiday Shopping Experiences
Amazon Introduces a New Holiday Shop with 3D Technology
Interactive VR Styling Apps
'J.Crew' Launched a Closet Management and Shopping App for Vision Pro
Streaming Series Games
Netflix Stories Invites Viewers to Participate in Their Own Adventures
Educational Exploration Binoculars
The Conceptual 'BINO' Mixed Reality Device Works in Many Ways
Creative Play Pop-Ups
The Sharpie Studio Offered Opportunities for Creativity at SXSW
Convention-Challenging AC Campaigns
Samsung's WindFree Ad Stars a Savvy Grandma-Fluencer
Tech-Driven Sexual Wellness
Experience the Future of Intimacy
Mobile VR Pain Management Apps
'Flowly' Enables Pain Relief Through VR-Based Relaxation Training
Kid-Envisioned Urban Environments
The Little Big Playmat Takes a Creative Path to Design Problems
Kids' Interactive Sensory Toys
Storypods Debuts Interactive and Multisensory Toys
Ultra-Modern Baby Gear
Nuna & Liberty London Collaborate to Introduce the Fantasy Land Collection
Premium-Quality VR Experiences
'Sandbox VR' in Toronto Offers Fully Immersive Journeys through VR
Space-Exploring STEAM Toys
LeapFrog's Magic Adventures™ Line Arrives for Kids Five and Up
Healthy Habit Smartphone Accessories
The 'FIKA' Smartphone Enclosure Concept Helps with Relaxation
Family-Friendly Interactive Museums
LEGO's Superpower Studios is Devoted to Hands-On Play
Curated Home Decor Platforms
Cribsi Offers Warm and Modern Home Decor
Creativity Time Capsules
Crayola's Campaign for Creativity Reunites Adults with Childhood Art
Child-Friendly Camera Concepts
The Camera for Kids Concept Reimagines the Digital Camera
Interactive Gaming Phone Cases
Bitmo Lab Introduces the Protective GameBaby Transformative Case
Playful AI Tools
Morrama Releases Concept Collection of AI Tools for Children's Mental Health
Personalized AI Storytelling
Storybook Magic is an AI App for Creating Personalized Stories
Autonomous Vehicle Kits
This Kit Teaches Kids How AI is Changing Transportation Dynamics
Virtual Reality Education Products
Meta is Launching a New Quest Product to Enhance Classrooms
AI-Powered Storytelling Travel Apps
Journi is an App for Tour Guides to Share Exciting Narratives
Sustainability-Oriented Kids Toys
Learning Resources Unveils a New Sustainable Toy Capsule
Retro Appliance Baby Monitors
The Conceptual SMEG Baby Monitor by Priyanshu Maiti is Cutesy
AI-Powered Family Story Books
Life Story AI Will Help Users Preserve Their Family's Legacy
VR Physiotherapy Tools
A Team of UniSA Researchers Created Superhero Therapy for Pain Management
Gamified Home Chore Apps
Developers Showcased a Gamified Home Chore App at Meta's Hackathon 2023
Toddler-Targeted Smartwatches
The 'NehNehBaby' Training Watch Teaches Children Healthy Habits
Phygital Fairy Toys
The HOLOBRITE Pixie Lantern Mixes Physical and Digital Play
Internet Safety Metaverses
Google & Roblox's Be Internet Awesome World Teaches Online Safety
Spatial Computing Shopping Apps
'Alo Yoga' Debuted a New App for the Apple Vision Pro
AI Story-Writing Tools
'Naria' Helps Craft Short Stories or Books with Creative Prompts
Kid-Friendly Tech Frames
myFirst Recently Unveiled Two New Digital Frames
Buildable Paper Playsets
Playper's Curious Kingdom: Castle Playset Encourages Creativity
Sleep-Supporting Virtual Pets
The National Sleep Foundation Featured Pocket Kado at CES 2024
Brand-Led Global Studies
The LEGO Group Conducted a Study That May Inform Market Decisions
Smartphone-Concealing Books
The 'GATBOOK' Keeps Smartphones Out of Infant View
Two-Way Kids Messaging Wearables
The BoT Talk Communicator Keeps Kids Connected to Parents
Kid-Inspired Learning Programs
Staples Has Announced the Expansion of Staples Kids Learn + Play
Smart 3D Home Maps
SamSung's Map View Creates a Seamless Smart Home Ecosystem
Dream-Centric Toy Guides
The LEGO Group Calls Attention to Its Dream Crafting Concept
Interactive Mixed-Reality Films
What If...?: An Immersive Story is an Apple Vision Pro Exclusive
Colorful Kid's Toy Lines
Battat and Walmart Introduce a Line of Preschool and Pretend Play Toys
Kid-Friendly Modular Sofas
The Figgy Play Couch is Launching in Durable, Family-Friendly Materials
Personalized AI Bedtime Stories
Good Night Bedtime Stories Includes Your Child's Name & Interests
Immersive Virtual Television Experiences
Television for Apple Vision Shapes the Future of TV
Immersive EdTech Platforms
Discovery Education's Sandbox AR Platform Surpassed 1 Million Downloads
Personalized AI Stories
Magic Bookshelf Places Your Child at the Center of Personalized Adventures
Gamified Youth-Focused News Apps
RocaNews Uses Challenges and Quests to Encourage Staying Informed
AI Storytelling Platforms
Story.com Combines AI with Creativity for Limitless Possibilities
AI-Powered Lullaby Apps
The 'Baby Bond' App Uses AI to Read Lullabies to Kids as Family Members
Multifunctional Game Sets
The 'LEGO' Group is Merging Physical and Digital Play
AI Baby Tracking Apps
Baby Records Helps First-Time Parents Navigate Stress and Milestones
Kid-Friendly Digital Coloring
PalettePlay.art Has Customizable Coloring Book Templates
Mixed-Reality Bedtime Apps
Pillow is a Mixed-Reality App for Quest That Supports Relaxation in Bed
90s Toy Holiday Trees
Furbtrees are Introducing the Next Generation of Furby Across the UK
Cognitive Toy Subscriptions
Lovevery is a Subscription that Delivers Developmental Toys to Kids
Anti-Distraction Student Smartphone Features
Google School Time Limits Features During Class
Comprehensive Math-Learning Experiences
Math Learner Uses Games to Make Math Fun for Young Kids
Gamified Children's Care Products
DEEEZ Developed Interactive Games for the BabyFirst Brand
Screen Time Reduction Apps
BePresent Gamifies Limiting Phone Usage with Daily Challenges
Festive Memory-Making Toys
Slumberkins' Yeti to Shine Helps Kids Embrace New Holiday Traditions
Dynamic Immersive Play Museums
LEGO Group Presents the Superhero Studios Initiative in Paris
AI-Powered Creative Apps
Verse is a New App Revolutionizing How Gen Z Creates Content
Connected Caregiver Services
Samsung SmartThings Family Care Connects Caregivers to Loved Ones
Engaging AI-Powered Reading Apps
Ello Upgrades Its AI-Powered Reading App with a Storytime Feature
Personalized Sleep Tracks
Huggies' Sound of a Hug App is Targeted at Infants
AI-Tailored Bedtime Stories
Slumber Stories AI Tells Stories Based on a Child's Interests
Gamified Digital Learning Platforms
Khired Kids Teaches Children Robotics, Coding, and More
Children-Empowered Adorable Smartwatches
NehNehBaby Introduces the Training Watch for Toddlers
Gamified Nighttime Reading
StoryMate Let's Parents Set Reading Goals for Their Children
AI Family Management Tools
ParentEase Combines AI Assistance with Task Management Tools
Innovative Digital Signage
Creative Realities Enhances Fan Engagement & Outcomes with New Signage
Child-Friendly Adaptive Storytelling
Zora Learning Teaches Kids to Read in More Engaging Ways
AI Storytelling Apps
The Storyteller Offers an Endless Supply of AI-Written Stories
Tech-Advanced Family Memories Projects
HeirStory Relies on AI, Blockchain, and the Metaverse
Immersive Language-Learning Tools
VisionFlow Transforms Spoken English Learning with Talkit
Mixed Reality Storytelling
Storytelling XR Redefines Real-Time VFX for Content Creators
Family Organization Apps
Rejoy Merges Calendars, Lists, meal Planners, and More in One Place
Family Organizational Apps
FamHive Incentivizes Family Chores and Organization
Special Needs Parenting Platforms
Rare Parenting is Supportive and Educational
Visual Payment Apps
Vizme Turns the Experience of Sending or Spending Money Into Stories
Accessible Interactive Memory Storybooks
Remento's Interactive Storybooks Can Be the Perfect Gift
Children's Wearable Blankets
Super Blanky Encourages Adventure and Positivity
Personalized Bed Time Reading
BlissFable Lets Kids Be the Protagonists of Their Own Stories
Personalized AI Storytelling
MidReal Let's Users Create Interactive Stories with AI
Modern Baby Apparel Lines
Gerber Childrenswear Launches Modern Moments™ by Gerber® Lifestyle Brand
Tech-Enhanced Travel Planning
Travvit is a Travel Discovery Platform to Inspire Better Vacations
Family Game-Sharing Platforms
Valve is Introducing 'Steam Families' to Replace 'Family Sharing'
Kids Safety Gadgets
Pinwheel's Plus 3 and Slim 5 Keeps Parents and Kids Connected Through a Device
Kid-Friendly Portable Projectors
Little Tikes' Story Dream Machine Supports Early Literacy
AI-Powered Bedtime Stories
Sleepytales Creates Custom Bedtime Stories with Engaging Narrations
AI Story Developing Apps
Story Diffusion Creates Comics and Storylines Based on Your Prompts
Personalized Bedtime Stories
StoryGenius Let's Parents Insert Their Children Into Books
Home Decor Mobile Apps
Pottery Barn Officially Launches its Mobile App and New Design
Child-Friendly Good Habit Apps
Little Streaks Builds Healthy Habits in Kids
Emotional Awareness Apps
Crown Institute Debuts an Emotional Learning App Inspired by Inside Out
Photo-Organizing Apps
Journeys Simplifies the Process of Organizing One's Photos
Gamified Children's Productivity Apps
Kangaroutine Helps Kids Who Struggle with Routines
Child-Centric Online Safety Campaigns
Wondershare FamiSafe Engages Parents with a Contest
AI-Powered Bedtime Storytelling
Augie Storytelling Uses Auto-Generated Video Clips
Child-Friendly AI Tutors
GPTKids is a Homework Helper That Supports Kids and Their Parents
Parenting Course Apps
Tiny Souls Media Debuts Zip and the Tiny Sprouts Alongside a Parenting Tool
Keepsake Family Legacy Books
Kindred Tales Turn Family Memories into a Book to Cherish Forever
Conceptual Gamified Sleep Apps
'Sleep Quest' is an Early-Stage Gamified Sleep App for iOS
Personalized AI Storytelling Apps
Story Creator AI Takes Aspects From a Child's Personality
Childhood Memory Capturing Apps
Dear Little One Allows Parents to Record Messages for Their Child
Smart Life-Planning Apps
Last Plannr is More Than a Traditional To-Do List
Custom Illustrated Storybooks
MyStoryBot Uses AI To Share Powerful personalized Stories
Personalized AI Sleep Stories
The Sleep Story Generator Promotes Deep Relaxation
Online Family Sharing Systems
Steam Introduces the Steam Families Feature for More Sharing Options
Expansive Children's Story Collections
KidTales PLR Helps Cultivate a Love of Reading
Virtual Table Top Games
TinyTable Combines the Joy of Table Top Games with Virtual Video Calls
Kid-Friendly Financial Support Apps
Goaly Offers Financial Lessons for Kids and Their Parents
Virtual STEM Fieldtrips
Panasonic, Katie Ledecky & Discovery Education Spotlight STEM Innovations
Mobile Device Addiction Campaigns
The Women's Brain Health Initiative Highlights a Growing Concern
Parental Guidance Shopping Apps
The 'Auggie' App Connects Experienced Parents to New Ones
Family Travel Documentation Tools
Duckwyn's Travel Journal Offers Digital Scrapbooking
Mobile Dorm-Designing Features
Pottery Barn Teen Unveils a New Dorm Shop and Expanded Features
AI-Powered Children's Storytelling
Pico Library Uses AI to Create and Read Stories for Your Child
Digital Parenthood Platforms
Aura Has Launched the Digital Parenthood Community
Storytelling Learning Platforms
Study Tale Offers Interactive Stories for Students
AI-Powered Safety Training
UpSkill Teaches Children Safety with Scenario Based Training and AI
Customizable Children's Stories
Storyland Illustrated Personalized Ebook Creates Custom Stories
Custom AI Learning Stories
LearningStory Creates AI Topic-Based Stories to Engage Young Learners
Invite-Only Family Memory Hubs
Kinnect Unveils its New and Enhanced Mobile Application
External Photo-Taking Features
Google Unveils a New Child-Focused Feature for Photo Taking
Transformative Bedtime Storytelling
Zuzu Offers Customizable, Screen-Free Bedtime Stories
Dynamic Visual Communication Platforms
ConverStory Transforms Speech into Captivating Images
Personalized Bedtime Story Generators
Bumble Stories Creates Bedtime Stories Featuring Your Child