App for parents lists essentials, plus hidden gems

Developed by two parents, the Winnie app helps families find places to nurse, change a baby, restaurants with kids’ menus and local recommendations.

Born out of a need for the type of information the founders couldn’t find from other listings, review sites and services, the Winnie app now includes information on more than one million locations in North America. From schools to hotels, shops, restaurants, parks and activities, Winnie provides a parent’s perspective on what’s great and what’s not so helpful.

Available online and for iOS, with an Android version in development, the app is free to use. Useful details include places with public mother’s rooms, bathrooms with changing tables and cafes and restaurants with entertainment for kids. Development plans include expanding the numbers of locations included in the app and the level of detail available. The founders say they plan to keep the core functionality free.

Making smart cities child-friendly is a work in progress. In Norway, an app is involving students in the local government’s project to pedestrianize a portion of the city’s streets. In Brazil, street lockers provide on-demand soccer balls. What other tweaks to technology could help adapt public spaces for children and families?