By altering the position of afigure on a map, a child alters her own environment. For now, it's audio-based. Ambient noise will suit the figure's environment, and the child's voice will be filtered. (e.g., if the figure is in the mountains, the child's voice will have a long echo). Later, there may be other channels (visual, etc). Thanks to Jason and Mark, I can do do some basic microcontroller programming and capacitive sensing, which will be wicked useful.

Also, check out this building toy for making tent-forts.