Chris Boys

Dippy, the Natural History Museum's famous Diplodocus, has left the building and is now on a tour across the UK. He’s on a mission to reconnect the next generation with the natural world.

We were asked to create an immersive digital experience that inspired kids to explore nature and discover loads of amazing things along the way.

Too often technology is positioned as a reason why we lose touch with nature. Our challenge was to develop an experience that uses technology to promote and spark adventures in the great outdoors.

Working closely with the Natural History Museum, we created, designed and built ‘Dippy’s Naturenauts’ - a Progressive Web App that drives curiosity through experimentation, learning and storytelling.

In addition to serving up fun facts, the app inspires kids to physically interact and play in nature - and, even better, get their hands dirty, too.

We developed a conversational, chat-based UI to engage kids from the get-go. Then, after creating an avatar and nickname, Dippy and wildlife whizz, Fern the fox, guide kids (Naturenauts) on mini adventures to discover the colours, flowers, trees, and birds around them in nature.

With a selection of skin tones and hairstyles to choose from.

Where all the adventures start and finish.

Special badges are unlocked as each adventure is completed.

The Naturenauts individual discoveries are captured in their very own, uniquely personalised and illustrated story (featuring their avatar and nickname), which they can keep as a memento of their adventures with Dippy.