I created TrovaTrails out of a concern that children are spending more time on screens and becoming increasingly disconnected from the world around them. I wanted to find a way to spark their natural curiosity and imagination, particularly when exploring places rich in history and culture.
I also saw how traditional sightseeing often fails to engage children, leaving them as passive followers rather than active participants.
TrovaTrails grew from a simple idea: what if we used the technology children enjoy to draw them into the real world instead of keeping them on screens? By turning cultural heritage into story-led detective missions, I wanted to give children ownership of their discoveries, make history come alive and create meaningful learning experiences that families could share.
Using a mobile app, children aged 7–12 become the protagonists of story-led detective missions that transform museums, historic sites and city streets into historical mysteries to solve.
Children race excitedly from clue to clue, searching for evidence, solving puzzles and uncovering stories hidden in their surroundings. A museum becomes a mystery to unravel, a historic monument a source of clues, and a city an adventure waiting to be discovered.
Each mission lasts approximately 60–90 minutes, encouraging observation, critical thinking, imagination and independent problem-solving. Rather than following an adult-led tour, children take charge, guiding their families through the experience.
Technology provides the narrative and challenges, but the real learning happens through interaction with the physical world. Interactive historical quizzes complement the missions, helping children build knowledge and curiosity before or after their adventures.
TrovaTrails is currently operating in Rome, with plans to expand to other cities. Early feedback shows that 80% of children ask to do another mission — a powerful indication of what happens when children take ownership of their learning.
Awareness has grown through word of mouth, parent communities, social media, local partnerships and hands-on educational workshops. We have also begun working with schools and educators to explore how our approach can support learning beyond the classroom.
To date, the app has attracted over 3,400 downloads, and TrovaTrails has received a Highly Commended recognition at the BETT Awards.
We are now exploring partnerships with museums, cultural institutions and educational organisations, alongside developing our first mission outside Rome, in London. Our ambition is to create a scalable model that helps children connect with cultural heritage wherever they live or travel.
TrovaTrails began with story-led detective missions, but we've expanded our approach to create more opportunities for children to engage with history through play, imagination and hands-on discovery.
We've introduced free interactive historical quizzes that spark curiosity and build knowledge before or after exploring a historic site. We've also begun piloting hands-on workshops, including Roman sandal-making and gladiator training, where children can experience aspects of ancient life for themselves.
These additions reflect what we're learning from children: that history becomes far more engaging when they can investigate it, imagine it and actively participate in it. We're continuing to experiment with ways to connect digital storytelling with real-world experiences, while keeping children at the centre of their own learning.
Download the TrovaTrails app from the App Store or Google Play and choose a story-led detective mission in Rome.
You can also start from anywhere in the world with our free interactive history quizzes, designed to spark curiosity and bring the ancient world to life.
Visit www.trovatrails.com to find out more.
