Kidiyo
Modernizing a kids’ e-learning app for usability, performance, and data privacy.
Industry
E-Learning
Project scope
Rebuild a legacy app on Unity, improve gameplay, and ensure compliance
Country
Timeline
About the client
The client is a Dutch leader in children’s educational products, offering digital learning tools, physical toys, and multiple global e-commerce websites. Their Kidiyo initiative introduces young children to nature and environmental awareness through a mobile app supported by picture books and adventure boxes. Available on Android and iOS, Kidiyo provides a safe, ad-free learning environment designed to encourage early development through play.
Challenge
Kidiyo’s existing mobile app was built on a web-based stack that could no longer support the gameplay, performance, or scalability they needed. The codebase suffered from outdated libraries, missing documentation, and architectural limitations that hindered future development.
Midway through our initial review, the situation escalated: the app was removed from the Google Play Store due to updated privacy policy requirements, creating urgency for the app modernization. The client needed a reliable technical partner to assess the app’s condition, propose a realistic paths forward, and rebuild the product on a platform capable of supporting richer mechanics and future growth.
Project goals & challenges:
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Restore compliance. Fix compliance issues and restore app availability on Google Play.
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Modernize the tech stack. Migrate the app from its legacy web-based platform to Unity.
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Redesign the interface. Transform the main menu into an interactive game world map.
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Enhance gameplay. Add new mini-games, improve mechanics and visuals.
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Improve usability. Preserve children’s progress and simplify parent account management.
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Prepare for growth. Enable future features like subscriptions, analytics, and multilingual support.
Solution
We began with a comprehensive code audit to map legacy issues, risks, and limitations. Based on the findings, we outlined several development paths, including modernizing the existing stack or migrating to modern game engines. After reviewing prototypes and trade-offs, the client chose a full rebuild on Unity.
From there, we designed a scalable architecture, refreshed the UI, and rebuilt the app with improved mechanics, updated visuals, and a more engaging player experience. Despite the scope, the first updated version was shipped to Android and iOS in just 1.5 months, demonstrating rapid, reliable execution.
Key deliverables:
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Code audit & roadmap. Identified legacy issues and provided clear modernization options.
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Full rebuild on Unity. Replaced the outdated stack with a scalable, future-proof platform.
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Interactive interface. Redesigned the main menu as an interactive game world map, added animations and video effects.
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Gameplay upgrades. Updated existing mini-games, added new ones, and improved mechanics and visuals.
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User flow improvements. Preserved children’s progress, simplified registration, and enabled multi-child parent accounts.
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Compliance. Ensured full alignment with Apple and Google privacy standards.
Results
The Kidiyo app was fully rebuilt on Unity, resolving compliance issues and unlocking new technical possibilities. All of this was accomplished by a compact team of two developers, with the first release delivered in 1.5 months and the full modernization completed in five months.
Key outcomes:
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Fast delivery. First new version live in 1.5 months; complete modernization in 5 months with a 2-person team.
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Compliance restored. The app now meets all Apple and Google privacy and content requirements.
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Stronger foundation. The transition to Unity and scalable architecture enable adding new mini-games, new features, and easy scaling.
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Better usability. Enhanced interface, richer mini-games, and improved mechanics created a more engaging learning experience.
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Monetization. Enabled app monetization with paid subscriptions.
Project Snapshot
Client
Dutch leader in children’s educational products
Project
Modernization of the Kidiyo kids’ e-learning app
Team
2 developers
Timeline
1.5 months to first release; 5 months to full modernization
Platform
Unity, Android & iOS
Key outcomes
Compliance restored, gameplay and tech stack modernized, monetization enabled