PBS is working on a project to design augmented reality games for kids four or five years old.

From the Wall Street Journal:

Using augmented reality, a computer or smartphone can detect objects and provide information about them. Children can also move the real objects to make something happen in a computer game. Other games that bridge the gap between real and virtual ask kids to document their activities by taking photos, making videos or recording their location using a GPS device, typically with the help of their parents.

What makes PBS’s efforts distinct is their focus on educational games for little kids. Researchers say this is great for kids because it’s more engaging and can help them learn. There are some tech bugs, though – the augmented-reality games need to be better designed for kids, not adults.