Magic Light Pictures has announced its latest collaboration with Forestry England – a new “Zog” family activity trail and a free interactive app.

Using new augmented reality technology, the free app, “Zog: A Forest Adventure,” developed by Arcade, brings to life Zog and some of his friends from the “Zog” movie, based on the picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, as users follow new interactive trails at 26 Forestry England sites across the country.  

“Forestry England sites offer the perfect classroom for budding little dragons,” says Alex Sanson, senior brand manager, Magic Light. “The new ‘Zog’ trails offer a great opportunity to young explorers to learn about all the wonderful ways our forests can look after us and how we can look after them. The AR app adds a fun extra element so that children can explore the character, the story and the forest in a new way.” 

“We are very excited to be working with Magic Light Pictures again and are looking forward to families having a new and exciting reason to visit the forest throughout the year,” says Ellen Devine, well-being project manager, Forestry England. “It’s so exciting to see that the new family activity trail is helping children to develop skills to care for their well-being and care for our forests. Playtime is so integral to children’s mental health, and they can also learn so many valuable lessons through play. The new ‘Zog’ trail provides an excellent opportunity for children to get out in nature and to learn all the lessons that little dragons need to know.” 

Related:Magic Light Pictures Takes ‘Pip and Posy’ to The Cinema

“Several of us at Arcade have young children and know first-hand just how much ‘Zog’ means to them,” says Jon Meggitt, chief executive officer, Arcade. “Bringing him and his friends to life in magical AR and giving families even more reasons to get out into forests across the country, has been one of the most exciting and rewarding projects we have worked on.” 

Launching on Jan. 30, the self-led trails encourage children to get exploring and learn more about forests and the trees, plants and wildlife they contain. Featuring lots of bonus activities, the “Zog: A Forest Adventure” app gives users the chance to interact with the 3D characters from the movie as they discover how they can care for the forest and how the forests can care for them in return.