Top 10 favourite outdoor activities for children - running around tops the list (original) (raw)
More than four in 10 kids wish they could spend more time running free outside - while a third love exploring, and 20% are keen to climb trees
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Joe Swash takes his son on a day trip out
British children have shared their top 10 favourite outdoor activities, from playing tag and making sandcastles – to simply being left to run around.
It seems youngsters are very inquisitive when it comes to the great outdoors, as one in three would choose exploring as their favourite thing to do, while 20% love nothing more than clambering up trees.
And 19% enjoy paddling in water – but for 57%, the best way to play is by just running free. Indeed, 43% of kids wish they could do this more often – with exactly three-quarters feeling happiest when they are left to “play their own way”, without structure.
The findings emerged from a survey of 2,000 parents, with kids aged between six and 10, as well as their youngsters themselves.
And the study also found that 53% of little ones get excited when given the chance to choose what they want to do for the day – with 54% 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.
British children have shared their top 10 favourite outdoor activities - with running around topping the list (
Image:
Dairylea)
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 playing outdoors is not just good for the children, though – as 52% of parents feel happy, and 26% feel calm, when they let their children play freely.
Meanwhile, 35% 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%).
However, parents take their children on an average of three fewer days out a month now than they used to – with 76% citing cost as the driving force behind this change. Instead, 57% 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% 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.”
CHILDREN’S TOP 10 FAVOURITE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES:
- Running free
- Hide and seek
- Exploring
- Playing a sport e.g. with a bat and ball
- Playing tag
- Climbing trees
- Paddling in water
- Making sandcastles
- Splashing in puddles
- Rolling down hills