Children would rather run free while playing outside, over more organised games of hide-and-seek or sports, a study has found. A poll of 2,000 parents, of children aged 6-10, as well as the kids themselves, found 57 percent named running around as their favourite thing to do – and 43 percent wish they could do it more.
It also emerged 75 percent of kids feel happiest when they’re free to “play their own way”, without structure.
And 53 percent get excited when they get to choose what they want to do for the day – with 54 percent of mums and dads wanting to incorporate more of this into their daily routines.
The research was commissioned by Dairylea, which has unveiled a giant backpack containing children’s top 10 psychologist-approved items, which enable them to enjoy unstructured play – including binoculars, magnifying glasses, and telescopes.
Dr Elizabeth Kilbey, behavioural child psychologist, who is working with the cheese brand, said: “Play, particularly unstructured play, helps develop children’s emotional, physical, and cognitive skills, builds confidence, and aids social and decision-making skills.
“This form of play is proven to support cognitive, physical, emotional, and social development – but at a more granular level, boosts imagination, problem-solving, social skills, and creativity. It’s hugely beneficial for all the family to experience these firsts and moments of discovery together.”
The study also found that exactly a third of youngsters who enjoy playing outside named exploring as their preferred activity – while climbing trees (20 percent), and paddling in water (19 percent), were also popular.
It’s not just good for the children, though – as 52 percent of parents feel happy, and 26 percent feel calm, when they let their children play freely.
Meanwhile, 35 percent per cent of those surveyed, via OnePoll, claimed their favourite way to spend time together as a family is exploring all nature has to offer, or taking a picnic on a day out (32 percent).
However, parents take their children on an average of three fewer days out a month now than they used to – with 76 percent citing cost as the driving force behind this change. Instead, 57 percent opt to let their children play indoors with toys, to fill their free time together.
The constraints of everyday routine can also leave little time for families to explore freely, and enjoy moments of pure playfulness together – with 59 percent prioritising school, hobbies, and their children’s friends, leaving little time for other activities.
Clo Darie Lheureux, from Dairylea, which is launching “Discovery Days” in partnership with Trainline, to offer £10 off family rail tickets, said: “We believe it’s important to give children the freedom to discover.
“But recent strains on family life – with the cost-of-living crisis, and the pandemic – have prevented families from taking on new experiences. We hope that this helps families to discover new things together, and enjoy the benefits of unstructured play.”