Quality Play Time

Vast majority of parents don’t spend enough time playing with their kids, research shows.

The nationwide study found that 87% of mums and dads don’t think they play enough with their children, and 77% feel guilty about not spending enough time engaging with their youngsters.

Asked why they struggle to have one-on-one time with their kids, a third of parents (33%) said they are too tired after a long day at work and 31% they simply don’t have the energy to play.

“Families are busier than they’ve probably ever been, meaning it’s harder to get that quality play time together,” Michelle Lilley, Head of Marketing for Little Tikes who commissioned the study explained.

Modern Life Pressures

The research, by Little Tikes, found that seven in ten parents (68%) across the UK also believe their kids don’t have enough playtime due to modern day pressures.

“The pace of modern life is causing play to take a back seat, but as our research shows, parents are big believers in play and the benefits it provides to the whole family, which is great to hear.” She added.

26% say their children are loaded down with homework, and two in ten think their kids are on an intense treadmill.

In fact, nearly two in five parents (39%) agree that the stress of modern living means there is very little time for downtime as a family.

Although nearly all parents surveyed agreed that playing with their kids is good for the whole family, it can be difficult to commit to this.

Nearly half (49%) confessed to checking their phone during playtime, and 43% have chosen to put the kids in front of the TV instead to give them time to get on with other things.

Benefits of play

However, when asked about the benefits of playing with their children, 61% of parents say they love interacting with them, with over half (53%) reporting they find it fun.

And the benefits of play for the relationship between parent and child are even greater, as 67% of parents say it strengthens the bond between them.

There are also important health benefits of play-time too, according to the nation’s parents. More than half (53%) believe it helps with brain development, 47% say it makes kids creative and four in ten (41%) think it keeps them healthy.

The research from Little Tikes also found that- despite modern parents wanting to spend more time playing with their kids – nearly half of respondents (47%) said their own parents played with them less when they were children than they do with their own offspring.

It seems too much technology is a big concern for parents today, with 75% confessing that they feel guilty about the amount of screen-time their kids have.

In fact almost four in ten parents admit they allow their children to have too much screen-time.

“Little Tikes has always championed play, whether it’s inside or outdoors, from birth to when toddlers start to take their first step,” Lilley said.

“We’re passionate about creating toys that help children grow, develop and have fun. With the summer months upon us, we’re encouraging families to get out and about, play big together and make new memories”.

Popular Choice

The study found that children and parents enjoy playing a range of games together, with board games being the most popular, as chosen by 42% of parents.

Building things and enjoying outdoor games also ranked highly for 39% of parents, followed by playing ball games (37%) and dancing to music together (36%).

Imaginative games are also popular at play-time, including telling stories (34%), role play (29%) and dressing up (19%).

For further information on Little Tikes click here.