Adam Balkin highlights the coolest and newest apps for your cell phone or mobile device in the weekly segment "App Wrap."
MotionMaze
If you are looking to get your child a bit healthier, look no further than the mobile device for some help. For starters, some apps can get kids moving in the real world in order to move their character in the virtual world of a video game. In MotionMaze, kids have to solve mazes, but to do so, they must stay in motion. They tap left and right on the screen to make their character turn left or right, but to move forward in the game, the user must walk or run in place. Since the app is constantly urging kids to beat your last time, that helps encourage running - very fast running - in place. As you get further into the game, each maze gets more intricate and requires a bit more of your calories to complete. MotionMaze is a free app for iOS devices.
Eat-And-Move-O-Matic
To help teach your child the relationship between eating and exercising, check out Eat-And-Move-O-Matic. Developed by the National 4-H, you spin the wheel to see foods kids commonly eat - from burritos to hamburgers to PB&J. Once you’ve chosen one, spin the wheel on the right to see how long you’d have to do that activity in order to burn off those calories. This helps reinforce the health lesson in two ways: by showing you how about an hour’s worth of strenuous activity can burn off the better part of most meals, while sitting around and letting your body do it alone takes longer – much longer. The app also pops up tips on the bottom, suggesting ways to make the meals on the left a bit healthier. Eat-And-Move-O-Matic is a free app, also for iOS devices.
During the month of February, Time Warner Cable News is committed to informing our viewers of the sometimes alarming trends facing our kids' health as well as provide helpful tips for busy parents. Get more information on Fit Kids February, including the Fit Kids Challenge, healthy shopping suggestions and ways you can get involved to help make you and your children healthier!