Play Well Report surveyed nearly 13,000 parents and children in nine countries.
Playing together makes families happier, closer and less stressed – but over a third (38%) admit they struggle to prioritise playtime due to hectic daily schedules of both parents and their children, according to a new report released by the LEGO Group.
The LEGO ‘Play Well Report’ surveyed nearly 13,000 parents and children in nine countries to understand the state of play today and encourage discussion around its ongoing importance.
The report reveals a strong link between the hours spent playing together and the happiness of families, with nine out of 10 families (88%) who play for five hours or more a week claiming to be happy, while, of those who play for less than five hours, only seven out of 10 (75%) say they are happy.
Playtime is being squeezed, however, with nearly a third (30%) of families spending less than five hours playing together every week. One in 10 (10%) play for less than two hours.
Even when families do get together to play, six in 10 (61%) parents admit they tend to get distracted by life’s other demands, such as work, house chores and their ever-present smartphones.
“Playing together is a fundamental cornerstone of family life for children and parents alike,” commented family expert and author, Jessica Joelle Alexander. “But with modern lifestyles busier than ever and so much emphasis on formal education and structured activities, it can be easy to forget to make time for it.
“Given the positive effects it has on our wellbeing and happiness levels, family play should be the most important ‘homework’ of all.”
In addition, the report reveals that children are creating a new type of ‘fluid play’ where they naturally engage in play that blends real world, imaginary and digital experiences.
Inspired by the findings, the report suggests ten principles for families to consider when playing together. These include encouraging less structured play, embracing mistakes and gamifying household chores.
Julia Goldin, LEGO Group cmo, said: “The beauty of play is that it evolves and changes with each generation, yet its benefits remain constant. This report shows that digitalisation is providing more opportunities for immersive play.
“We will continue to evolve LEGO play to seamlessly integrate digital and physical experiences for kids to ensure that they can continue to benefit from playful learning. Play continues to be essential for children and we have a role in helping parents to provide the best possible experiences for their kids and to protect and prioritise play time.”
