My Framer Site

KidsConnect

KidsConnect

KidsConnect

Parents today juggle work, home, and parenting, often struggling to keep children engaged in household responsibilities without constant reminders or conflict.

“How might we design an intuitive and engaging application that transforms household task management into a positive family experience, encouraging participation, and offering flexible, non-financial rewards suited to diverse family routines?”

Project Background

Families today use a variety of methods to stay organized and maintain daily routines, especially when managing responsibilities across multiple age groups. As digital tools increasingly become part of everyday life, there is an opportunity to explore how thoughtful design can enhance collaboration, communication, and engagement within the home environment.

Families today use a variety of methods to stay organized and maintain daily routines, especially when managing responsibilities across multiple age groups. As digital tools increasingly become part of everyday life, there is an opportunity to explore how thoughtful design can enhance collaboration, communication, and engagement within the home environment.

This project explores the development of a digital solution intended to support shared responsibilities in family settings. Through user-centered design practices, the focus was placed on understanding real-life routines, identifying areas for improvement, and creating a system that complements diverse parenting styles and household dynamics.

This project explores the development of a digital solution intended to support shared responsibilities in family settings. Through user-centered design practices, the focus was placed on understanding real-life routines, identifying areas for improvement, and creating a system that complements diverse parenting styles and household dynamics.

Problem

There is a clear gap in the digital space for a simple app that helps families stay organized and keeps children involved in everyday tasks. Without the right tools, it becomes harder for families to build healthy routines and share responsibilities.

There is a clear gap in the digital space for a simple app that helps families stay organized and keeps children involved in everyday tasks. Without the right tools, it becomes harder for families to build healthy routines and share responsibilities.

1: No All-in-One Solution

Parents juggle multiple ways for tasks, tracking, and rewards or stop using them altogether.

2: Overcomplicated or Money-Focused

Most apps rely on cash rewards or are too complex for daily family use.

3: Lack of Customization

Current tools don’t adapt to different parenting styles, age groups, or routines.

4: Low Engagement for Kids

Apps lack fun and gamification, making them less motivating for children.

1: No All-in-One Solution

Parents juggle multiple ways for tasks, tracking, and rewards or stop using them altogether.

2: Overcomplicated or Money-Focused

Most apps rely on cash rewards or are too complex for daily family use.

3: Lack of Customization

Current tools don’t adapt to different parenting styles, age groups, or routines.

4: Low Engagement for Kids

Apps lack fun and gamification, making them less motivating for children.

Research: Competitive & SWOT Analyses

To better understand the landscape of chore and family management applications, we conducted a competitive and SWOT analysis. I reviewed apps like Greenlight and BusyKid to understand how families currently manage tasks/finances and to identify gaps KidsConnect could address. Both apps are well-established in the child finance and task management space, but they present key limitations.

To better understand the landscape of chore and family management applications, we conducted a competitive and SWOT analysis. I reviewed apps like Greenlight and BusyKid to understand how families currently manage tasks/finances and to identify gaps KidsConnect could address. Both apps are well-established in the child finance and task management space, but they present key limitations.

BusyKid

BusyKid is a chore app that links completed tasks to real money, teaching kids financial responsibility through a debit card system. It’s great for building money habits but focuses too much on finances, with little flexibility for non-monetary rewards or family collaboration.

BusyKid is a chore app that links completed tasks to real money, teaching kids financial responsibility through a debit card system. It’s great for building money habits but focuses too much on finances, with little flexibility for non-monetary rewards or family collaboration.

Greenlight

Greenlight is a finance app for kids and teens that helps with saving, spending, investing, and chores under strong parental controls. It’s strong in financial education but leans heavily on banking features, making it complex for younger kids and less engaging for families wanting a simpler, gamified task tool.

Greenlight is a finance app for kids and teens that helps with saving, spending, investing, and chores under strong parental controls. It’s strong in financial education but leans heavily on banking features, making it complex for younger kids and less engaging for families wanting a simpler, gamified task tool.

User Reasearch

To understand how families handle daily chores and task routines, surveys, interviews, and user testing were conducted with parents and caregivers. The goal was to identify common struggles and learn what tools would truly make their lives easier.

To understand how families handle daily chores and task routines, surveys, interviews, and user testing were conducted with parents and caregivers. The goal was to identify common struggles and learn what tools would truly make their lives easier.

Insights gathered through direct feedback and virtual conversations revealed key needs—such as simple task setup, customizable non-financial rewards, and a clear, user-friendly interface. These findings played an important role in shaping a solution that fits naturally into everyday family life.

Insights gathered through direct feedback and virtual conversations revealed key needs—such as simple task setup, customizable non-financial rewards, and a clear, user-friendly interface. These findings played an important role in shaping a solution that fits naturally into everyday family life.

User Survey Takeaways

To inform the design of KidsConnect, a survey was conducted with 19 participants, including parents, couples, and childcare providers. Responses showed that 56.3% still rely on verbal chore assignments, with limited use of digital tools. Data was collected through Google Forms and FigJam using a mix of question types to gather both quantitative and qualitative insights.

To inform the design of KidsConnect, a survey was conducted with 19 participants, including parents, couples, and childcare providers. Responses showed that 56.3% still rely on verbal chore assignments, with limited use of digital tools. Data was collected through Google Forms and FigJam using a mix of question types to gather both quantitative and qualitative insights.

To inform the design of KidsConnect, a survey was conducted with 19 participants, including parents, couples, and childcare providers. Responses showed that 56.3% still rely on verbal chore assignments, with limited use of digital tools. Data was collected through Google Forms and FigJam using a mix of question types to gather both quantitative and qualitative insights.

Most parents favored non-financial rewards like screen time and outings, emphasizing the need for customizable incentives. Key challenges included tracking tasks, sustaining motivation, and balancing responsibilities. Participants showed strong interest in features such as age-based automation, gamification, calendar integration, and progress tracking, directly shaping the app’s focus on ease of use and family-friendly design.

Most parents favored non-financial rewards like screen time and outings, emphasizing the need for customizable incentives. Key challenges included tracking tasks, sustaining motivation, and balancing responsibilities. Participants showed strong interest in features such as age-based automation, gamification, calendar integration, and progress tracking, directly shaping the app’s focus on ease of use and family-friendly design.

Most parents favored non-financial rewards like screen time and outings, emphasizing the need for customizable incentives. Key challenges included tracking tasks, sustaining motivation, and balancing responsibilities. Participants showed strong interest in features such as age-based automation, gamification, calendar integration, and progress tracking, directly shaping the app’s focus on ease of use and family-friendly design.

User Interview Takeaway

Interviews were conducted with six participants, including parents, couples, and teachers. Most relied on verbal reminders or physical lists, with limited use of digital tools. Common challenges included time constraints and inconsistent task management.

Interviews were conducted with six participants, including parents, couples, and teachers. Most relied on verbal reminders or physical lists, with limited use of digital tools. Common challenges included time constraints and inconsistent task management.

Interviews were conducted with six participants, including parents, couples, and teachers. Most relied on verbal reminders or physical lists, with limited use of digital tools. Common challenges included time constraints and inconsistent task management.

Participants emphasized the need for a simple, easy-to-use app with features like shared calendars, task reminders, gamification, voice-to-text, and affordability. These insights informed key design priorities for KidsConnect.

Participants emphasized the need for a simple, easy-to-use app with features like shared calendars, task reminders, gamification, voice-to-text, and affordability. These insights informed key design priorities for KidsConnect.

Participants emphasized the need for a simple, easy-to-use app with features like shared calendars, task reminders, gamification, voice-to-text, and affordability. These insights informed key design priorities for KidsConnect.

72%

Parents struggle to keep kids motivated

65%

Families juggle try different methods for chores & rewards

4.5 hrs/week

Time parents spend managing tasks

58%

Kids lose interest in chores

Card Sorts & Affinity Mapping

After collecting the results, the next phase involved card sorting and affinity mapping to better understand how users approach chore management. This hands-on stage provided valuable insight into user behaviors, expectations, and frustrations, helping to surface key themes from both survey and interview responses.

After collecting the results, the next phase involved card sorting and affinity mapping to better understand how users approach chore management. This hands-on stage provided valuable insight into user behaviors, expectations, and frustrations, helping to surface key themes from both survey and interview responses.

The process helped organize task management, features, ideas, pain points, and user/app preferences into clear categories, allowing for a more intuitive and family-centered app structure. It also highlighted the emotional and practical routines families follow when assigning tasks and motivating children, guiding a design that feels both empathetic and easy to use.

The process helped organize task management, features, ideas, pain points, and user/app preferences into clear categories, allowing for a more intuitive and family-centered app structure. It also highlighted the emotional and practical routines families follow when assigning tasks and motivating children, guiding a design that feels both empathetic and easy to use.

User: Personas, Task Flows, Journeys

In preparation for the design phase of KidsConnect, research was extended into spaces where parents, guardians, and educators actively share experiences—ranging from parenting forums to digital education communities and informal peer groups.

In preparation for the design phase of KidsConnect, research was extended into spaces where parents, guardians, and educators actively share experiences—ranging from parenting forums to digital education communities and informal peer groups.

By analyzing these conversations and combining them with survey and interview insights, a clearer picture emerged of the real-world challenges faced in chore management. This user-centered approach led to the development of personas that accurately represent different household dynamics and caregiver roles. These personas served as the foundation for crafting user journeys and task flows that align with everyday routines, motivations, and constraints.

By analyzing these conversations and combining them with survey and interview insights, a clearer picture emerged of the real-world challenges faced in chore management. This user-centered approach led to the development of personas that accurately represent different household dynamics and caregiver roles. These personas served as the foundation for crafting user journeys and task flows that align with everyday routines, motivations, and constraints.

The insights I gathered during my research helped me develop 3 personas:

Jordan & Sam Patel: "The Coordinated Couple"

Emily Carter: "Full-time working mom"

James Anderson: "The Organized Teacher"

Jordan & Sam Patel: "The Coordinated Couple"

Emily Carter: "Full-time working mom"

James Anderson: "The Organized Teacher"

Jordan & Sam Patel: "The Coordinated Couple"

Emily Carter: "Full-time working mom"

James Anderson: "The Organized Teacher"

Exploration, Ideation: Low-fidelity Wireframes

In the exploration and ideation phase for our application, I focused on the core functionalities that would address the main concerns of the user personas mainly task visibility, task tracking, child motivation (Rewarding) and ease of use for parents and teachers.

In the exploration and ideation phase for our application, I focused on the core functionalities that would address the main concerns of the user personas mainly task visibility, task tracking, child motivation (Rewarding) and ease of use for parents and teachers.

User journeys were carefully mapped to reflect how a parent might assign chores, how a child views and completes them, and how progress is tracked and rewarded. Core features conceptualized included a shared family dashboard, customizable reward options, progress tracking, and age-based task suggestions.

Based on these needs, early sketches were created and refined into initial wireframes, laying the foundation for a chore management app that’s simple, engaging, and adaptable to different family routines.

User journeys were carefully mapped to reflect how a parent might assign chores, how a child views and completes them, and how progress is tracked and rewarded. Core features conceptualized included a shared family dashboard, customizable reward options, progress tracking, and age-based task suggestions.

Based on these needs, early sketches were created and refined into initial wireframes, laying the foundation for a chore management app that’s simple, engaging, and adaptable to different family routines.

User journeys were carefully mapped to reflect how a parent might assign chores, how a child views and completes them, and how progress is tracked and rewarded. Core features conceptualized included a shared family dashboard, customizable reward options, progress tracking, and age-based task suggestions.

Based on these needs, early sketches were created and refined into initial wireframes, laying the foundation for a chore management app that’s simple, engaging, and adaptable to different family routines.

In designing KidsConnect, the focus was on creating a feature that lets parents can view, assign, and track household tasks. Each task includes clear details, optional reminders, and customizable rewards to keep children engaged. To ensure usability, familiar and intuitive interface patterns were adopted, making the experience simple and accessible.

In designing KidsConnect, the focus was on creating a feature that lets parents can view, assign, and track household tasks. Each task includes clear details, optional reminders, and customizable rewards to keep children engaged. To ensure usability, familiar and intuitive interface patterns were adopted, making the experience simple and accessible.

User testing

I conducted a low-fidelity prototype usability test using Maze to evaluate the app’s early design and overall concept. Participants were asked to record their screens and think out loud as they completed each task. After finishing, they responded to a short post-test questionnaire that included three opinion-scale questions rated from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree).

I conducted a low-fidelity prototype usability test using Maze to evaluate the app’s early design and overall concept. Participants were asked to record their screens and think out loud as they completed each task. After finishing, they responded to a short post-test questionnaire that included three opinion-scale questions rated from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree).

The activity included four key tasks, each paired with a scenario to guide participants through the process. These core tasks were chosen to uncover any issues or gaps in the app’s initial design, helping identify areas for improvement early on.

The activity included four key tasks, each paired with a scenario to guide participants through the process. These core tasks were chosen to uncover any issues or gaps in the app’s initial design, helping identify areas for improvement early on.

Task 1: Assign a specific chore to a child..
Task 2: Add a new child profile and remove an existing one.
Task 3: Create a custom reward that can be linked to task completion.
Task 4: Send an alert for a task that is overdue.

Task 1: Assign a specific chore to a child..
Task 2: Add a new child profile and remove an existing one.
Task 3: Create a custom reward that can be linked to task completion.
Task 4: Send an alert for a task that is overdue.

This approach helped me gather valuable insights on the app’s prototype interface and functionality directly from the target audience, allowing me to identify and address usability issues early in the design process.

This approach helped me gather valuable insights on the app’s prototype interface and functionality directly from the target audience, allowing me to identify and address usability issues early in the design process.

Users asked for the manual calender to switch between days

Users requested an “alert child to complete chore” button.

Users requested an “alert child to complete chore” button.

Users faced difficulty creating rewards

Coin based rewards were requested

Confusion while adding a child

Design

Design Systems

After completing the first usability test with the low-fidelity prototype, I refined the design by addressing the identified flaws. These improvements were incorporated into the high-fidelity prototype, resulting in a smoother and more functional user experience in the next iteration.

After completing the first usability test with the low-fidelity prototype, I refined the design by addressing the identified flaws. These improvements were incorporated into the high-fidelity prototype, resulting in a smoother and more functional user experience in the next iteration.

90%

Task success rate (parents assign tasks easily)

40% faster

Time saved assigning tasks vs. other apps

SUS 82

Users found KidsConnect usable, with minor inconsistencies

90%

Task success rate (parents assign tasks easily)

40% faster

Time saved assigning tasks vs. other apps

SUS 82

Users found KidsConnect usable, with minor inconsistencies

Retrospective

KidsConnect successfully evolved from a basic chore tracker into a family- and classroom-friendly tool that promotes responsibility and motivation. Continuous user feedback guided the design, addressing challenges like missed chores, uneven workloads, and declining reward engagement. Reflecting on the process, the focus on real user needs proved effective—creating an app that is both functional for caregivers and empowering for children.

KidsConnect successfully evolved from a basic chore tracker into a family- and classroom-friendly tool that promotes responsibility and motivation. Continuous user feedback guided the design, addressing challenges like missed chores, uneven workloads, and declining reward engagement. Reflecting on the process, the focus on real user needs proved effective—creating an app that is both functional for caregivers and empowering for children.

KidsConnect

KidsConnect

KidsConnect

KidsConnect

KidsConnect

KidsConnect

Parents today juggle work, home, and parenting, often struggling to keep children engaged in household responsibilities without constant reminders or conflict.

Parents today juggle work, home, and parenting, often struggling to keep children engaged in household responsibilities without constant reminders or conflict.

“How might we design an intuitive and engaging application that transforms household task management into a positive family experience, encouraging participation, and offering flexible, non-financial rewards suited to diverse family routines?”

“How might we design an intuitive and engaging application that transforms household task management into a positive family experience, encouraging participation, and offering flexible, non-financial rewards suited to diverse family routines?”

“How might we design an intuitive and engaging application that transforms household task management into a positive family experience, encouraging participation, and offering flexible, non-financial rewards suited to diverse family routines?”

Project Background

Project Background

Project Background

Problem

Problem

Problem

There is a clear gap in the digital space for a simple app that helps families stay organized and keeps children involved in everyday tasks. Without the right tools, it becomes harder for families to build healthy routines and share responsibilities.

There is a clear gap in the digital space for a simple app that helps families stay organized and keeps children involved in everyday tasks. Without the right tools, it becomes harder for families to build healthy routines and share responsibilities.

1: No All-in-One Solution

2: Overcomplicated or Money-Focused

3: Lack of Customization

4: Low Engagement for Kids

1: No All-in-One Solution

1: No All-in-One Solution

Parents juggle multiple ways for tasks, tracking, and rewards or stop using them altogether.

Parents juggle multiple ways for tasks, tracking, and rewards or stop using them altogether.

2: Overcomplicated or Money-Focused

2: Overcomplicated or Money-Focused

Most apps rely on cash rewards or are too complex for daily family use.

Most apps rely on cash rewards or are too complex for daily family use.

3: Lack of Customization

3: Lack of Customization

Current tools don’t adapt to different parenting styles, age groups, or routines.

Current tools don’t adapt to different parenting styles, age groups, or routines.

4: Low Engagement for Kids

4: Low Engagement for Kids

Apps lack fun and gamification, making them less motivating for children.

Apps lack fun and gamification, making them less motivating for children.

Research: Competitive & SWOT Analyses

Research: Competitive & SWOT Analyses

Research: Competitive & SWOT Analyses

BusyKid

BusyKid

BusyKid

BusyKid is a chore app that links completed tasks to real money, teaching kids financial responsibility through a debit card system. It’s great for building money habits but focuses too much on finances, with little flexibility for non-monetary rewards or family collaboration.

BusyKid is a chore app that links completed tasks to real money, teaching kids financial responsibility through a debit card system. It’s great for building money habits but focuses too much on finances, with little flexibility for non-monetary rewards or family collaboration.

Greenlight

Greenlight

Greenlight

User Reasearch

User Reasearch

User Reasearch

To understand how families handle daily chores and task routines, surveys, interviews, and user testing were conducted with parents and caregivers. The goal was to identify common struggles and learn what tools would truly make their lives easier.

To understand how families handle daily chores and task routines, surveys, interviews, and user testing were conducted with parents and caregivers. The goal was to identify common struggles and learn what tools would truly make their lives easier.

Insights gathered through direct feedback and virtual conversations revealed key needs—such as simple task setup, customizable non-financial rewards, and a clear, user-friendly interface. These findings played an important role in shaping a solution that fits naturally into everyday family life.

Insights gathered through direct feedback and virtual conversations revealed key needs—such as simple task setup, customizable non-financial rewards, and a clear, user-friendly interface. These findings played an important role in shaping a solution that fits naturally into everyday family life.

User Survey Takeaways

User Survey Takeaways

User Survey Takeaways

User Interview Takeaway

User Interview Takeaway

User Interview Takeaway

Interviews were conducted with six participants, including parents, couples, and teachers. Most relied on verbal reminders or physical lists, with limited use of digital tools. Common challenges included time constraints and inconsistent task management.

Interviews were conducted with six participants, including parents, couples, and teachers. Most relied on verbal reminders or physical lists, with limited use of digital tools. Common challenges included time constraints and inconsistent task management.

Participants emphasized the need for a simple, easy-to-use app with features like shared calendars, task reminders, gamification, voice-to-text, and affordability. These insights informed key design priorities for KidsConnect.

Participants emphasized the need for a simple, easy-to-use app with features like shared calendars, task reminders, gamification, voice-to-text, and affordability. These insights informed key design priorities for KidsConnect.

72%

72%

72%

Parents struggle to keep kids motivated

65%

65%

65%

Families juggle try different methods for chores & rewards

4.5 hrs/week

4.5 hrs/week

4.5 hrs/week

Time parents spend managing tasks

58%

Task 1: Assign a specific chore to a child..
Task 2: Add a new child profile and remove an existing one.
Task 3: Create a custom reward that can be linked to task completion.
Task 4: Send an alert for a task that is overdue.

Task 1: Assign a specific chore to a child..
Task 2: Add a new child profile and remove an existing one.
Task 3: Create a custom reward that can be linked to task completion.
Task 4: Send an alert for a task that is overdue.