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Augmented Reality Playgrounds to Promote Physical Activity in Young Children: Feasibility Study Using a Repeated
Sarah M Stearne1,2, Amber Beynon1,2, Charlotte Lund Rasmussen1,2
1Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Building 401 Kent Street, Perth, 6102, Australia, 61 0892661771.
JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting
|October 9, 2025
Summary
Augmented reality (AR) playgrounds increase enjoyment and engagement time for young children, potentially boosting physical activity. While AR decreased activity intensity, it motivated longer participation, suggesting suitability for various play settings.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Educational Technology
Background:
- Low physical activity levels among Australian children (10%) highlight the need for innovative interventions.
- Augmented reality (AR) shows promise in education and rehabilitation, increasing engagement.
- The impact of AR on physical activity in young children remains under-investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate children's enjoyment of an indoor AR-enhanced playground.
- To assess AR's effect on physical activity during low- and high-structured scavenger hunts.
- To compare AR and non-AR conditions in terms of engagement and physical exertion.
Main Methods:
- A 2x2 repeated measures design involved 17 pairs of 5-8-year-olds in AR and non-AR animal search tasks.
- Conditions included low- and high-structured activity levels within an indoor laboratory playground.
- Measures included child/caregiver questionnaires, accelerometry for physical activity intensity, and video-recorded engagement time.
Main Results:
- Children rated AR conditions as more enjoyable than high-structured non-AR conditions (P=.03).
- Low-structured AR was the most preferred condition (15/17 children).
- AR conditions showed more time in low-intensity movements (50% vs 35%), while non-AR had more high-intensity movements (32% vs 21%).
- Engagement time was significantly longer in low-structured AR (263s vs 197s, P=.002).
Conclusions:
- AR enhances enjoyment and engagement time in children's play, potentially increasing overall active play.
- AR is suitable for both low- and high-structured play environments, though intensity varies.
- Future research should explore AR's effectiveness in outdoor settings and over longer periods.
