Kids QR Code: How to Keep Learning Fun and Safe for Children
A kids QR code may not be the first thing you think of when coming up with ways to create an engaging environment for children. We’re here to tell you that that can’t be further from the truth.
Using QR codes in a school setting or at home can be transformative thanks to their large information capacity, versatility, and user-friendly nature.
In this article, we explore how you can turn a collection of quick response codes into fun and joyful experiences for your kids.
Table of Contents
- How to engage kids with QR codes for both learning and play
- Great examples of QR codes made for kids
- Valentim - Iogurteria Artesanal’s artful QR codes
- National Geographic Kids’ educational QR codes
- Nadine Gilkison’s QR codes for children’s video books
- Scholastic’s alphabet song QR code
- KidZania’s “delivery” QR codes
- Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History’s video QR codes
- The New York Public Library’s text-to-speech QR codes
- What makes QR code engagement great for kids
- Make a kids QR code with a dynamic QR code platform
- Transform learning for kids with the best QR code generator
- FAQ
How to engage kids with QR codes for both learning and play
We often see QR codes in product packaging and advertisements, so it can be difficult to think of how they can be used in a kid-friendly environment. To help you out, here are some useful ideas:
Establish collaboration and communication
Communication and collaboration are essential to a child's development. By including QR codes in your kids’ activities, you can encourage these skills in a fun, tech-savvy way.
For starters, you can have your children write down something about themselves, create QR codes for each, and have them get to know one another through scanning.
You can also create QR codes for Google Docs for brainstorming activities and writing exercises.
Provide kids with educational resources
QR codes can also be an engaging way to share additional learning materials with your children or students. This provides them an easy access to educational resources at any time.
There are several QR code solutions you can use, such as a URL QR code to directly link online resource hubs or a file QR code for ebooks in PDF.
With these, the kids can take these materials anywhere since they will be saved on their mobile devices. Just place them in locations where they are easy to scan, and the kids will be good to go!
Grant them access to classwork
Speaking of sharing access to resources, you can also distribute classwork by having your kids scan a QR code.
One benefit of handing out class content this way is the lack of printing costs. Instead of printing out stacks of papers, you can have your students do their classwork electronically.
Another benefit is the convenience. By using a dynamic QR code generator for making your QR code, you will only need one for all of your activities!
Launch scavenger hunts
Few things are as exciting as the hunt for treasure. Scavenger hunts teach your students to be curious and adventurous, making them a fun way to combine learning, physical activity, and even teamwork.
Supplement this activity with QR codes to make kids even more curious while making the hunt more engaging and interactive.
You can encode instructions or questions in each QR code and place them in hidden locations throughout the campus. Once that is done, you can then send your students on the hunt, either individually, in pairs, or in small groups.
Set up learning stations
Another way of implementing QR codes in the classroom is by using a learning station.
A learning station is a designated place filled with learning materials and activities designed to teach a specific skill or concept. These materials can include videos, pictures, experiments, and even games!
To make these learning stations more engaging, you can include QR codes that lead to additional learning resources. This way, your students won’t be overwhelmed with information while still having the means to learn more.
They can also have fun with a QR code game meant to reinforce a lesson.
Immerse kids in interactive storytelling
Captivating your audience when telling a story is no easy feat, but it results in an entertaining and immersive experience.
Imagine the level of immersion your audience will feel if they can interact with the story you are telling.
If you want to achieve interactive storytelling without much trouble, then simply generate QR codes encoded with the kind of content you need.
How to engage kids with QR codes while telling a story is also quite easy. Your codes can be used to unlock the next chapters or to learn more about something without breaking the flow of the story.
They can even be used to read a different perspective of events, teaching your children to critical thinking skills.
Go on virtual field trips
Ever thought of taking your kids to see Mount Rushmore or the Great Pyramid of Giza but couldn’t because of time or budget constraints? Well, you don’t need to worry when you can use QR codes instead!
While learning about historical landmarks and iconic locations, you can use a QR code for virtual tours to enhance the experience.
Link videos or pictures to your QR codes and have your students scan them during class to engage them with the lesson.
Great examples of QR codes made for kids
Several brands have already taken the lead in giving kids fun and engaging experiences with QR codes. Let’s go over a few notable examples.
Valentim - Iogurteria Artesanal’s artful QR codes
Valentim - Iogurteria Artesanal, a family-owned yogurt shop from Brazil, thought of a genius way of incorporating QR codes into its product.
The brand’s Valentim Kids line of yogurt flavors, known for their great taste and nutritional value, now have QR codes on each pack.
But what’s in a Valentim QR code that makes it fun for kids?
When scanned, drawings of Valentim, the brand’s icon, and his friends can be downloaded and printed. This use of a QR code is both adorable and innovative, providing children with a fun activity while enjoying delicious and nutritious yogurt.
National Geographic Kids’ educational QR codes
National Geographic Kids surely knows how to use QR codes. This branch of the prestigious National Geographic organization has produced several learning materials for children, such as activity journals and animal toy figures.
The publisher has included QR codes in its products to enhance children's learning experiences. For example, its Real Aloud QR codes help young children learn to read and listen while they complete reader’s response worksheets.
Their animal toys also come with QR codes that link children to exclusive National Geographic Kids content.
Nadine Gilkison’s QR codes for children’s video books
An educator named Nadine Gilkison created QR code cards embedded with links to video books online. Each card includes the book cover of the specific story inside the QR code.
What makes a video QR code great is that they remove the need to navigate through the internet to find a book. With just one scan, a child can watch or listen to their favorite story on their phones.
Scholastic’s alphabet song QR code
Being the largest publisher and distributor of children’s books, it’s no surprise that Scholastic has found a use for QR codes.
To help children learn their ABCs, the publisher released board books with a slider that guides the reader through the alphabet. For more engaging learning, the books come with a QR code with a link to the alphabet song.
KidZania’s “delivery” QR codes
KidZania USA, one of many facilities built by the KidZania corporation, created a fun game for children using QR codes.
In this experience, children can act as “runners” that deliver packages to different locations in KidZania city. First, the kids scan a QR code to get details. Then, they explore the interactive city to deliver the packages on time.
Not only is this a good introduction to the different locations in the city, but it also brings a fun element to their stay in KidZania.
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History’s video QR codes
Located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History recently added a QR code for each animal display. Each code leads scanners to a YouTube video that provides additional information about their respective animals.
QR codes in museums encourages curiosity and rewards children with knowledge of how each animal lives in the wild. This makes learning about natural history a more engaging experience for youngsters.
The New York Public Library’s text-to-speech QR codes
In the New York Public Library’s Visitor Center, people can find displays of the library’s maps and book collections.
To make them more accessible, each display includes texts written in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Unified English Braille (UEB) Grade 2.
However, for a more interactive experience, the displays also come with a QR code with even more text.
Additionally, a text-to-speech reader can be accessed, allowing children to explore the library while listening to descriptions of its offerings.
What makes QR code engagement great for kids
We’ve cited seven brands that innovatively use QR codes to provide great experiences to children. But maybe you’re asking yourself why you should do the same. Here are five answers to that question.
Makes learning interactive and fun
Learning normally involves opening a book or watching a video. However, by hiding this within the squares of a QR code, children will have to interact with it to learn something new.
The feeling of unlocking knowledge is something that makes learning so engaging, and a By using a QR code generator with logo integration is the perfect tools for that.
Adds more learning opportunities
Sometimes a child learns fast but can’t get enough of learning.
QR code engagement provides the means to access additional knowledge but in a way that doesn’t force it on them. Instead, the child has to actively choose to take on more information, allowing them to learn at their own pace.
Adds variety to the classroom experience
The key to engagement is to spice things up occasionally. Whether you use an offline QR code generator or one found online, you can induce curiosity and excitement in your kids, ensuring their participation in your lessons.
For example, a QR code periodic table with symbols allows them to learn more information about the chemical elements by linking them to animated explanation videos.
Encourages collaboration and critical thinking
Because QR codes can link users to collaborative documents and forms, they are excellent tools for bringing students together and having them learn as a team.
When used creatively (for example, during a scavenger hunt), a kids QR code can also enhance critical thinking skills.
Teaches tech literacy
QR code technology is slowly becoming the norm, especially with the GS1 digital link slowly being introduced in several industries.
Because of this, having kids learn how QR codes work and how to use them helps them prepare for a world full of barcodes.
Make a kids QR code with a dynamic QR code platform
Excited to start adding QR codes to lesson plans and games for your kids? Then you’ll be happy to know that generating is as pie.
To start generating your fun QR codes, simply follow the steps below:
- Go to QR TIGER, the best QR code software for dynamic QR codes.
- Select a QR code solution and fill in the necessary information.
- Generate the QR code.
- Personalize the QR code with unique eyes, patterns, and colors.
- Test and download.
Pro tip: Dynamic QR codes are editable, trackable, and more secure. Want to create them for FREE? Simply register for an account—no credit card details are needed!
Transform learning for kids with the best QR code generator
The addition of QR codes in a child’s development can transform the way they learn and grow. As bridges to tons of information, children can be introduced to important skills early.
Moreover, QR codes' versatility allows them to be useful in ways that are not boring or tiresome.
Many companies and organizations have already implemented the use of a kids QR code in their goods and services. Join them in transforming the learning environment by using our dynamic QR code software.
Trusted by over 850,000 brands, our QR code solutions offer everything you would need to have fun with your children.
Do you want to learn how to use QR codes to boost learning at home, in classrooms, and in public spaces? Check out our FREE eBook for education and more!
FAQ
Are QR codes safe for kids to use?
Yes, QR codes are safe for kids to use. QR codes made with a trusted QR code platform will always comply with regulations and standards meant to protect a person’s data privacy.
What are the activities for kids with QR codes?
Several activities suitable for children can be supplemented with QR codes. These include reading and listening exercises, scavenger hunts, self-study sessions, virtual field trips, and learning stations.
What are the uses of QR codes in school?
Schools can make use of QR codes in several effective ways. Aside from enhancing the learning experience, schools can encode essential information for students.
For example, a QR code can contain details like the contact information of the school clinic or where to find mental health resources online.