Children playing a colorful online health game.

Level Up Your Kid's Health: How Online Games Can Make a Real-World Difference

Rhea Morgan in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unlock the secrets of engaging children with online health games and discover how smart advertising can boost their well-being."

In today's digital world, where screens dominate our children's attention, tapping into online platforms to promote health offers a unique opportunity. With the rise of childhood obesity and the struggle to get kids to eat their fruits and vegetables, innovative solutions are needed. Online health games have emerged as a promising avenue, providing an engaging and accessible way to instill healthy habits from a young age.

However, simply launching a game online isn't enough. Studies assessing how children actually use these interventions are essential, yet often lacking. We need to understand what attracts them, keeps them engaged, and ultimately, influences their behavior.

This article dives into a fascinating study that examines the usage of 'Monkey Do,' an online health game designed to encourage healthy eating habits in children aged 4 to 8. We’ll explore how kids interacted with the game, how advertising impacted its reach, and what lessons can be learned for creating more effective online health interventions.

Decoding the Data: What Makes a Health Game Click?

Children playing a colorful online health game.

The study tracked the game 'Monkey Do' for 31 months, gathering data on how children accessed and played the game. Here's what they found:

Over the study period, there were approximately 224,859 sessions, revealing a substantial reach.

Repeat Players: Around 34% of the visitors played the game more than once, suggesting a level of engagement and enjoyment.
Time Flies When You're Having Fun: Returning visitors spent twice as long playing the game compared to first-time visitors.
Desktop Dominance: Most kids accessed the game via desktop computers, indicating that while mobile devices are popular, desktops still hold a significant place in children's online activities.
The Power of Search: The primary way children found the game was through search engine queries, highlighting the importance of discoverability and SEO.
Advertising Works: Advertising was directly linked to increased sessions and first-time visitors, proving its crucial role in attracting an audience.

These findings offer valuable insights into how children interact with online health games. It's not just about creating a game; it's about making it engaging, accessible, and discoverable.

Key Takeaways: Making Online Health Games Work for Kids

The study underscores several crucial lessons for designing and promoting online health games for children:

<b>Focus on Retention:</b> Attracting kids is only half the battle. Creating engaging gameplay that keeps them coming back for more is essential. This might involve incorporating elements of fun, challenge, and reward to maintain their interest over time.

<b>Don't Underestimate Advertising:</b> The research clearly demonstrates the positive impact of advertising on game usage. Repeated advertisement is necessary to maintain visitor engagement. Strategic ad placements on relevant websites and platforms can significantly boost visibility and attract new players.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1089/g4h.2016.0114, Alternate LINK

Title: User Statistics For An Online Health Game Targeted At Children

Subject: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Journal: Games for Health Journal

Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert Inc

Authors: Eva E. Alblas, Frans Folkvord, Doeschka J. Anschütz, Paul E. Ketelaar, Isabela Granic, Fréderike Mensink, Moniek Buijzen, Jonathan P. Van ‘T Riet

Published: 2017-10-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is the main purpose of the online game 'Monkey Do'?

The online game 'Monkey Do' provides a platform for children aged 4 to 8 to learn about healthy eating habits. The game aims to engage children with interactive content, making the process of adopting better nutrition fun and accessible. By focusing on this age group, the game targets a critical period for establishing lifelong healthy habits, potentially helping to combat childhood obesity and encourage consumption of fruits and vegetables.

How many game sessions were recorded in the study of 'Monkey Do'?

The study found that approximately 224,859 sessions were recorded over 31 months. These sessions show 'Monkey Do' reached a significant number of children, showcasing its potential as a widely accessible health intervention. The high volume of sessions illustrates the capacity of online games to connect with a large audience. This demonstrates the initial reach and the potential for widespread impact that online health games can achieve.

What does it mean that a percentage of children were 'Repeat Players' of 'Monkey Do'?

The concept of Repeat Players is crucial. About 34% of the visitors played 'Monkey Do' more than once. This indicates a degree of enjoyment and engagement that makes the game an effective tool. Repeated play suggests the game's design successfully holds children's interest, encouraging them to return and reinforce healthy behaviors. This repeat engagement is a key indicator of the game's effectiveness in instilling lasting habits.

What role did advertising play in the success of 'Monkey Do'?

The study revealed that advertising played a direct role in driving traffic to the game 'Monkey Do'. Advertising was directly linked to increased sessions and first-time visitors. This highlights advertising's importance in making the game discoverable and attracting children. Without effective advertising, even well-designed games might not reach their target audience, underscoring the essential role of strategic promotion in maximizing the impact of online health interventions.

How did children primarily access the online health game 'Monkey Do'?

Desktop computers were the primary way that children accessed 'Monkey Do'. This indicates that while mobile devices are popular, desktops still hold a significant place in children's online activities. The importance of desktop accessibility means developers should consider the platform's design and usability when creating online health games to maximize their reach. This reveals how kids interact with the game, which can help developers create better and more successful online health interventions.