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This post is brought to you by Tree Story.
If you’ve read Mom Knows It All for a while then you might recall that back in May I wrote a post about a new app called Tree Story. Tree Story is a game in which players get to enjoy themselves while helping the environment. Zig Zag Zoom, the company behind the game, believes that people can change the world and do good just by playing mobile games.
The goal of Tree Story is to raise virtual trees. You have to care for them properly, which is done by playing the game for a few minutes. Once you have raised your virtual tree it is put into a virtual forest. Each time a tree is sent to the virtual forest, a real tree is planted. This planting is done as part of a partnership with The U.S. Forest Service, with notable partners including
- The Nature Conservancy
- ACTrees (an organization representing over 350 local tree planting organizations)
- Arbor Day Foundation
- Project Learning Tree
A few days ago, Zig Zag Zoom got a major iOS update, bringing more mini games, easy-to-share-tree photos, an art overhaul and other game features to iOS players. And that’s not all. They also released Tree Story for Android!
Playing Tree Story is easy. As explained in my original post, first you select the type of seed you are going to raise, and the place you want to plant it. Then you care for your virtual tree. Your tree is a happy and healthy little character on its own, and when you interact with it you will notice your tree become its own cute little character.
Your tree needs to eat. You can buy different foods with points that you’ve earned.
As a young child needs to get the appropriate amount of rest, your tree also needs energy. To give your tree this you turn on the sun.
It’s healthy to play. When you choose to play with your tree you are presented with several mini-games. You can play one or more than one, it’s up to you.
As your tree grows and you move through the game you earn things, such as clothing.
It’s important to remember to check in on your tree occasionally.
As of the launch date of August 20, 2015, Tree Story is now available in two versions:
- a paid version with no ads that will have an introductory offer of $0.99.
- a free version that does have ads.
I totally understand the reason to support an app through the use of ads. Since this game could be played by young children, I would really like to see a way to specify the age of the player when the game starts, so that ads are appropriate. I was presented with an add for a “shoot em up” game, which came in the form of a very brief video. Those games do have their place and their audience, but I’m sure there are some parents who would prefer their child not see that type of a video.
The other big add is the ability to easily share your photos and progress on social media.
Here’s the Tree Story trailer, explaining game play a bit better.
I still think this game is great. It lets kids have fun while doing something good. And that carries an important underlying message – one person can make a difference.
CONNECT
Download Tree Story for iOS for free. Download Tree Story for android for free.
Tree Story website – Tree Story on Facebook – Tree Story on Twitter – Zig Zag Zoom website – Zig Zag Zoom on Facebook – Zig Zag Zoom on Twitter
41 comments
My neice would love this Tree Story game. She gets so involved in these games that she forgets what time it is.
How awesome is this! I don’t normally play games on my phone but I love helping to reforest the world. I am definitely going to get this app.
I think tree story sounds really cool. It’s a great way to get kids interested in the natural world.
How cool is that?! I love that they plant real trees! That’s important, especially since we’ve taken so many.
This game looks like so much fun and I love that you feed your tree human food! The fact that they plant real trees is so wonderful too.
What a really cute game. I may have to check this out and I like how it has to do with helping the environment.
This is such a cute way to teach children how important trees are to our environment! 🙂
It looks to be an adorable game.
This would be a lot of fun to try! Those trees and their silly outfits are cute!
That sounds like such a fun game. I guarantee that my kids would love it.
This looks like an app that my niece and nephew would enjoy. The graphics are so bright and fun!
This looks like a fun and cool game. I will download this for my kiddos.
This looks like a game my kids will love. I will have to download it so we can try it.
Looks like a fun game for kids! We always check out new apps everyday. Mostly games
I think this app is a great way to teach kids the importance of trees. They can also learn how to plant and take care of a tree. That’s really great.
Cute app for kids to enjoy. I love that this will teach them to care for the environment. There was a similar app like this in Google play, like a virtual pet. Thanks for sharing.
What a great message to send to kids – that there’s little things they can do even at a young age to help save the environment!
That does sound like a fun game. Aspects of it remind me of the tomogatchi handhelds my older boys had when they were little. 🙂
What a fun app. I can see downloadiing that to my phone and using it right away to have fun playing!
My how phones and their use has changed in a lifetime–mine!
This looks great I’m sure my girls would be excited to try this out. I haven’t heard of it before, but I’ll download it for them and see!
This sounds great. Kids should love it
What fun. My kids love games like this so I will be sure to download it for them.
I have an Adroid so this is good to know however, at the same time, I’m not too into games on my phone.
Oh how cute. The graphics are simply adorable. I have some friends I can share this with who have younger kids.
I was astounded with the bright and colorful graphics of this app. My kids would really love playing around with this.
OMG, this would be so fun to try. I’d show my sister and she would like it for sure. Thanks for this!
It’s so wonderful that there are apps out there that do more than drain time. I love that kids get to virtually care for trees and learn a little something about turning them thumbs green!
What an adorable game! I may have to look into it, its just too cute!
That looks like such a neat little game! I might have to download it and try it out.
This game looks so fun! I’ve seen my kids play something similar, they must see this one. I’m definitely not an ad person, the option for the ad free at .99 is perfect!
This looks like a great game for my nieces kids and my sisters son. I will have to share this app with them for sure. I love that there is a paid app that has no ads too for only $.99 which is awesome. Thanks for sharing.
What a neat and fun game! I used to be addicted with games such as that until my hectic schedule stopped me from playing. 🙂 I will check this out though. I think my son would enjoy it.
This game looks like a lot of fun! I never have time to play but my kids do all the time (with in-app purchases turned off so I don’t get a big bill!).
My son is all about app games. He has special needs and likes the time alone to learn, I will have to check this one out.
OK…how cool is that – play a virtual game that leads to planting REAL trees! I will have to show my nephew this.
How fun and exciting! My family and I enjoy these type of apps. I’ll definitely have to download it. Thanks for the heads up!
This looks like a lot of fun. My kids are always playing with my phone and this would be great for them.
So many game play options for kids! I’ll have to tell my son all about this app!
This looks like a cute and fun game. I will have to share this with my friends with little ones.
What a great way to help the environment. The game sounds fun too.
How cute is this? Thanks for sharing, I had not heard of it before. Love hearing of new apps!