Virtual pet app teaching emotional skills and advancing mental health for the next generation.

Closing the Gap in Kids' Mental Health

One in five young people struggle with mental health, but over two-thirds can’t afford the treatment they need.

With limited access to care, schools often become the first line of support—but they are overwhelmed:

  • 1 counselor per 600 students isn’t enough

  • Funding cuts limit mental health resources

  • Teachers lack adequate mental health training

  • Academic pressures push mental health aside

Without help, kids risk falling behind in school, feeling isolated, and facing long-term mental health challenges.

Introducing Nido Pets

Nido Pets is an interactive virtual pet app that teaches Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and preventative mental wellness skills.

Pet Companion

  • Kids choose and care for their own virtual pet

  • Earn rewards by completing activities

  • Builds emotional bonds that reinforce key skills

SEL & Mental Wellness Skills

  • Delivers SEL and preventative mental wellness skills through fun activities like mini-games, journaling, and storytelling

  • Teaches empathy, emotional regulation, and self-awareness

Purpose-Built for Schools

  • Lightens the load for teachers by delivering SEL content in an accessible format that integrates into a child’s routine

  • Scaled across school systems, normalizing and reducing stigma through collective participation

Turn Learning into an Adventure

Learners master exciting quests, tackle challenges, and build confidence, resilience, and problem-solving skills. Explore vibrant worlds where emotional learning becomes an engaging, interactive journey!

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Interactive Mini-Games Drive Effective Learning

Our engaging SEL mini-games help children develop emotional literacy, self-regulation, coping skills, empathy, and decision-making—all fully aligned with CASEL standards.

Through interactive play, kids learn to match emotions, explore coping strategies, and resolve conflicts in real time. These activities help children develop essential life skills in a fun and immersive way.

Choose Your Own Adventure Stories

Kids become the heroes of their own emotional growth journey, making choices that build self-regulation, empathy, and coping skills.

Each story presents real-world scenarios where they practice decision-making, managing emotions, and building resilience—all in a fun, interactive setting. This engaging approach keeps kids motivated while strengthening essential social-emotional skills.

Transform Play into Progress

As kids complete mini-games, adventure stories, and SEL activities, they earn sparkles—unlocking fun customization options for their Nido Pet. This rewarding system keeps learning engaging, helping each child build a unique, personalized companion that reflects their growth.

CASEL Standards at the Heart of Nido Pets

Nido Pets is built on the CASEL framework, the gold standard in Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Our activities are carefully designed to help kids develop strong emotional and social skills through engaging, play-based learning.

Research shows that CASEL-aligned SEL programs:
✅ Reduce anxiety and improve mental wellness
✅ Strengthen social skills and build better relationships
✅ Boost academic performance by an average of 11 percentile points

By turning SEL into a fun, interactive experience, Nido Pets helps kids build confidence, resilience, and meaningful connections—all while caring for their virtual pet!

Available Spring 2025

FAQs

  • Nido Pets is designed for children ages 6-12, featuring activities precisely tailored to each child's developmental stage. The valuable social-emotional learning experiences and lessons can extend to benefit older children as well.

  • We plan to offer NidoPets through a variety of pathways:

    • Schools: Offered at a sliding scale, with free access for underserved districts and low-cost options for schools with more resources.

    • Direct to Consumer: Available for purchase, with a one-for-one giving model—every Nido Pet purchased provides one for free to a child in need.

  • Nido Pets combines the tactile comfort of a plushie with the interactive engagement of a virtual pet and app. This unique approach makes SEL fun and accessible while fostering a strong emotional connection to the learning process.

  • The plush toy provides a comforting physical presence, while the app adds interactive elements like games and lessons. Together, they create a holistic experience that supports emotional growth through tactile, visual, and digital engagement.

  • Nido Pets focuses on five core competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

  • An internet connection is required for initial setup and some features, but many activities can be accessed offline.

  • Yes, Nido Pets is an excellent tool for classrooms and group settings, offering collaborative activities that align with SEL curricula and foster group interaction.

  • Nido Pets is designed to teach children skills for coping with anxiety, anger, and low mood, helping them build resilience and emotional regulation. However, Nido Pets is not a substitute for professional therapy or medical treatment. If your child has been diagnosed with a mental health condition, we encourage you to seek additional support from a qualified professional. Please note that Nido Pets is not an emergency medical provider. In case of an emergency, please dial 911.