This Spring, children have shown the difference small steps can make. Across all Xplora markets, children have collected steps and earned Xplora Coins, which they have used to donate care packages to refugee children through a collaboration between Xplora and UNICEF Norway.
On Xplora´s activity platform Goplay, children´s activity has also unlocked new chapters of the UNICEF adventure "The Rescue Operation", the first of two adventures Xplora and UNICEF Norway are collaborating on in 2026. Xplora also partnered with UNICEF Kid Power to help provide clean water to children in crisis-affected areas in 2021. Together, we exceeded our goal and delivered a one-year supply of clean water to more than 4,000 children.
An overwhelming response
Children have walked, run, jumped, and shown truly heartwarming engagement. In just a few weeks, 2446 care packages, with a total value of 384.000 NOK (approx. £30,000), have been donated to refugee children via UNICEF Norway. The adventure has now concluded, and the next one will launch in August.
For Chief Marketing Officer Lise af Ekenstam, it has been moving to see how children´s efforts have contributed to UNICEF´s work:
"We live in an uncertain world, and children feel that too. The Rescue Operation engaged far more than we expected, which shows that children want to help other children. That feels especially important in the times we are living in"
CEO Sten Kirkbak is equally impressed:
"Children are taking thousands of steps to stay active and earn coins, and many choose to donate these to UNICEF to help other children. In doing so, they are making a real impact."
The Rescue Operation: an engaging adventure
The Rescue Operation tells the story of children on the move following a disaster. Through six milestones, participants followed UNICEF´s emergency response efforts, with new parts of the story being unlocked as children stayed active.
Along the way, children learned how aid reaches those in crisis, and how play, safety, and a sense of community can give children a vital moment of normalcy and relief, even in difficult circumstances.
This is only just the beginning
The Rescue Operation was the first of two UNICEF adventures. The next chapter launches in August, linking children´s activity to UNICEF´s backpack campaign, symbolising hope and childhood aspirations. Contributions will go toward backpacks filled with essential supplies such as pencils, erasers, and books, helping children continue their education.
Kirkbak looks forward to what comes next:
"If engagement continues as it has so far, many children will gain access to essential school supplies after the summer. That truly means a lot to me."
