I love making Google Maps more family friendly

I snap pictures and upload to Maps when I’m out and about. With 3 children aged 4, 7 and 10, we’re often on the move- cafes, medical appointments, playgrounds, play centres- everywhere!

I use Maps most days for directions, to check reviews, or even just to see an image of what to expect when we arrive.

My 10 year old is autistic, so having the opportunity to read reviews so we know what to expect; and visualise a space before we arrive via photos, enables us to plan our outings carefully and be a part of the community in a way that works for us.

Because we have benefited so much from using Google Maps, I feel compelled to contribute whenever I can, and hope that others find my contributions as helpful as I have found theirs.

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Great story @curlycee my youngest is on the spectrum too and it can be helpful to him to find wide open places that aren’t too crowded.

Maybe you’d share a photo or two of places that you’ve found particularly autism friendly?

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I can totally relate to you. Having three children myself I am often visiting similar places. I also use Google maps on a regular basis to find my way around when we are travelling and at home. I appreciated your insight regarding your son with Autism. I can understand how seeing a place before you arrive would be very helpful. Thanks for sharing.

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It makes such a difference to us being able to see what things look like before we leave home; and for me to read reviews which might mention things like noise levels that might mean we’d give somewhere a miss; or kid friendly features such colouring in/decent kids menu- might mean we’d give somewhere new a try.

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@PaulPavlinovich

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@curlycee Berry picking is always a cool thing to do. Did they take many home outside their tummies?

@PaulPavlinovich at this particular farm, yes!

We went to another one recently where they actively discouraged this, except for a couple of samples.

All of the ‘no eating’ signs put my kiddo off, and it sucked the joy out of picking for us.

I understand why a farm would choose not to allow eating while picking.

Personally I’d rather pay an entry fee to cover consumption, as picking is an activity for us- not just about trying to get cheap berries!

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Indeed @curlycee covering the inevitable munching through a small fee plus whatever you take home makes sense to me.