UMD Students Create Gamified Mindfulness App for Kids

As children spend more time on digital devices, questions continue to grow about how constant screen exposure affects their attention and emotional health. While many mindfulness apps target adults, few are designed for younger audiences. A team of University of Maryland students is trying to change that through Capy’s Journey, a mobile app that blends meditation with gameplay to help kids build lasting wellness routines.

Developed by computer science major Olivia Zhang (B.S. ’27, computer science), neuroscience major Rohan Vyas (B.S. ’28, neuroscience) and Cornell University student Caleb Shim (B.S. ’28, computer science; B.S. ’28, mathematics), Capy’s Journey introduces mindfulness through interactive levels and daily challenges. Players guide a capybara character through activities designed to encourage reflection, focus and consistency.

Zhang described the app as “a mindfulness and meditation app geared toward kids, though anyone can use it.” Players can customize their character, complete mini-games and collect rewards for completing guided meditation exercises. The game’s level map structure allows users to track their progress and return daily for new challenges.

The idea was born out of concerns about how children engage with technology. 

“Kids have access to phones and tablets at very young ages, and much of the content they consume doesn’t really help their development,” Zhang said. “We wanted to create something that could replace that type of screen time with something more beneficial for their mental health.”

From Idea to Prototype

The collaboration began when Shim and Vyas, friends from high school, started discussing ways to apply technology to mindfulness. They reached out to Zhang, who had experience in design and user experience, to help create the app’s visual identity. 

Using the Unity game engine, the team built the app’s prototype, integrating Zhang’s visual designs into an interactive environment. While Unity is typically used for 3D games, the team found it effective for creating an accessible 2D interface that merges gameplay with wellness exercises.

“Our focus was on design,” Zhang said. “The app has to look clean and inviting for kids, while still being easy to navigate. Caleb handled most of the technical development, and Rohan provided guidance on how to translate mindfulness principles into interactive experiences.”

Healthy Digital Habits

Vyas said the team’s goal was to make mindfulness approachable. 

“Our approach is to make meditation itself engaging and enjoyable,” he said. “We use gamification techniques such as streaks, achievements, and customization to help users stay consistent.”

The app rewards users for returning daily, similar to how language-learning apps track streaks. Each completed session adds to a user’s progress and unlocks in-game items that can be used to customize their capybara avatar. 

“It’s a small thing, but it motivates users to keep coming back,” Zhang said.

Drawing on his neuroscience background, Vyas helped the team design reinforcement systems that make habit formation more effective. 

“Completing mindfulness levels results in satisfying cues, like earning carrots or unlocking new environments,” he said. “Those cues provide a mild dopamine boost that encourages users to maintain the habit.”

Refining Their Focus

The team joined the University of Maryland’s 2025-2026 cohort of the Mokhtarzada Hatchery, a program that supports student entrepreneurs with mentorship and funding. 

“When we joined the Hatchery, we were about halfway done with the app,” Zhang said. “We had a broad idea, but hadn’t defined our audience. Through mentorship, we realized kids and preteens were an underserved market for mindfulness.”

The Hatchery’s mentors, alum entrepreneurs Haroon (B.A. ’01, economics), Idris (B.S. ’10, computer science), and Zeki (B.S. ’01, computer science) Mokhtarzada, encouraged the students to narrow their target audience and refine their product strategy.

“Their advice helped us understand where our app could make the most impact,” Zhang said. “They also guided us on pitching, product development, and understanding how to present our work as a business.”

The team recently joined Apple’s Developer Program and is preparing for a beta launch. Early testers will be selected from a waitlist to provide feedback before the app’s full release. 

Following the beta launch, the team plans to add new features, including cloud storage and expanded reward systems. They are also exploring a subscription model to sustain development.

Future Applications

Beyond the app store, the team envisions partnerships with schools, homeschool programs and children’s hospitals.

 “We’re looking at how Capy’s Journey could fit into a school’s daily schedule,” Zhang said. “Even a few minutes of mindfulness each day could help students focus and regulate stress.”

They also plan to make the app available to children’s hospitals for free as a calming tool. 

“There are a lot of kids going through difficult experiences,” Zhang said. “If Capy’s Journey can give them a few moments of peace, that would be meaningful.”

The group has also discussed expanding to other demographics in the future. 

“Most mindfulness apps are aimed at adults,” Zhang said. “We see potential in expanding to seniors who might benefit from focus and relaxation tools tailored to their needs.”

A Mindful Use of Technology

While Capy’s Journey remains in development, the project reflects a broader shift in how young technologists are rethinking digital engagement. Rather than encouraging constant consumption, the app aims to help users slow down and build awareness through interactive design.

For Zhang, the motivation is simple.

 “Kids are growing up surrounded by technology,” she said. “We’re not trying to take that away. We just want to give them a healthier way to use it—something that helps them build mindfulness instead of distraction.”

—Story by Samuel Malede Zewdu, CS Communications