KinPing
"Went for a walk?" is the daily check-in question for families who care less about where a parent is and more about whether they got out at all. KinPing asks it once a day at a time you set, in their time zone, with no GPS. They tell you themselves, with one tap.
Why families ask this question
A walk is movement, fresh air and a reason to leave the house. For an aging parent who lives alone, it is often the best part of the day. A daily question is a nudge to go, and a small shared thing to talk about afterwards. It also replaces the urge to track. Many long distance family apps answer "where is she?" KinPing answers "did she go?" and leaves the where to her.
Who asks whom
- A son or daughter checking on a mother or father who likes a daily walk.
- A husband or wife checking on a partner while away for work.
- A friend checking on a friend who is working their way back after an illness.
The person asking ticks the question and sets the time. The person answering approves it once, and can pause, leave, report or block at any time.
How KinPing sends it
The ready-made time is daily at 6:00 PM, after the afternoon walk most people prefer. It arrives at 6:00 PM in their time zone.
The question comes in the app if they have it, or as a link in WhatsApp or SMS that opens in the browser if they do not. The screen above shows the question as they receive it. They tap Yes, Not yet or Later. A photo from the walk is a lovely optional extra, and a note like "only to the corner, knee is sore" tells you what to ask about next.
On your Today screen the answer appears with a yellow tick and the time, or an empty circle if there is none. There are reminders for questions waiting for you, and up to 14 days of history per person.
Setting it up in the app
- Add the person and choose a label such as Mom, Dad, Friend or Someone else.
- Tick Went for a walk? in the ready-made list.
- Tap the time and change 6:00 PM if a different hour fits their routine, in their local time.
- They see "wants to check on you," switch the question on, and tap Accept.
Nothing else is needed. The question goes out every evening on its own.
Wording that feels like care
Exercise questions can slide into coaching if you are not careful. Some things that keep it warm:
- Ask about today, not about a plan. "Went for a walk?" rather than "Did you do your full walk?"
- Accept "Not yet" without comment. A rainy day is a rainy day.
- Make the photo the fun part. Ask to see the park, the dog, the sky.
- Do not add distance or time. The moment it becomes a target, it stops being a conversation.
If a parent is wary of being watched, explain that there is no GPS tracking and no map. They answer in their own words, and that is all you see. The approval screen shows them exactly what you are asking and lets them turn it off.
What it is not
KinPing is not a fitness tracker and not a location app. It does not count steps, use GPS or show where anyone is. It records the answer they chose, with any note or photo. It is not an emergency service either. A missing answer may just mean a phone is off, or that the walk ran long. If you are worried, call.
See the other ready-made questions on daily check-in questions for family or read the full flow on how it works.
Updated 2026-11-05.