LONDON, UK, 15 October 2026: A new initiative designed to help children spend less time on their phones and more time exploring the world around them has launched a crowdfunding campaign. Created by a team of childhood specialists and parents, How to Grow a Goat aims to inspire families across Britain to rediscover the fun of outdoor play, everyday adventures and time away from screens.
To bring the free app to families across the UK, the team behind How to Grow a Goat hopes to raise at least £10,000 through its Crowdfunder campaign. Eligible donations can also benefit from match funding provided by the Aviva Foundation.
The free app turns the usual approach to technology on its head. Instead of encouraging children to keep scrolling, it offers daily challenges and activities for kids and families to enjoy in the real world.
Ideas include walking for five minutes without being spotted by a bird, playing triangular football with three teams and three goals, mapping every cat in the neighbourhood, or growing a miniature nature reserve in a flowerpot.
Some adventures take just five minutes, while others can fill an entire afternoon. Most cost nothing at all. The aim is simple: open the app, find something unexpected to do, then put the phone away and get started.
The app is being developed by a team of childhood experts and parents, including British explorer and geographer Dan Raven-Ellison. A parent, children’s author and former secondary school teacher, Dan is known for helping establish London as the world’s first National Park City and for creating the Slow Ways walking network.
Dan said: “Children have just 216 months of childhood, from the day they are born until they turn 18. That’s 216 months to climb trees, build dens, explore the world, make friends, get muddy, take risks and discover what they’re capable of.
“But in an age of smartphones, tablets and endless digital entertainment, many parents are concerned about how much of that precious childhood is being spent staring at screens. We want to change that.
“There are no points, addictive streaks or leaderboards. Instead, the activities are designed to encourage curiosity, confidence, creativity, kindness and a love of the outdoors.
“It’s not just about getting kids away from screens. It’s about giving them something better to do, helping them become more active, independent and connected with the people and places around them.
“And with family budgets under pressure, it offers parents, grandparents and teachers a growing collection of adventures that don’t require expensive equipment, admission tickets or elaborate planning. Just choose an activity and see where it leads.”
The app is being developed by nonprofit organisation Good Ways, a Community Interest Company based in Exeter, Devon. The project brings together developers Good Binary and outdoor childhood specialists Outdoor People CIC.
Every activity is created by people rather than generated automatically, and reviewed by parents and childhood experts.
The team has already developed a working iPhone prototype, but its ambitions extend beyond launching another app.
Dan added: “We have a big ambition. Imagine every family in a school community enjoying free daily outdoor activities, all at the same time, with something for every stage of childhood. Just imagine the impact that would have.”
The team plans to contact every school in the UK, inviting them to share the free activities with children and their families. This approach could help the initiative reach millions of young people, whatever their background or family income.
Working with schools, the team hopes to make creative, everyday adventures available to children everywhere, including those who have fewer opportunities to spend time exploring nature.
Funds raised through the Crowdfunder will support the creation of additional activities, the development of Android and web versions, accessibility improvements and the launch of an ambitious nationwide school outreach programme.
To discover How to Grow a Goat, watch the campaign video and support the crowdfunding campaign, visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/how-to-grow-a-goat.
ENDS
