Parents are being encouraged to tap into their youthful spirit and return to simpler times this summer, as it emerges that one in five adults lack the confidence to freely engage in outdoor play with their children.
We're halfway through the school holidays and with the sun shining brightly, fresh research from Sudocrem involving 2,000 adult parents reveals that nearly half (44%) of mothers and fathers with children aged 5-11 years old struggle to devise outdoor play activities. Almost a third (30%) express concern that their little ones might get hurt while exploring nature.
Despite the fact that 71% of parents acknowledge that children prefer active outdoor play, 41% admit to occasionally dropping the ball and resorting to video games and smartphones (27%) to keep their kids entertained.
The average British child is only getting two-and-a-half hours of fresh air less than the three hours they spend online.
In response to these findings, Sudocrem has enlisted the help of Edutuber and Bafta-winning TV presenter Maddie Moate to assist adults in stepping out of their comfort zone and rediscovering the simple, accessible, and free joy of outdoor play.
Maddie's advice includes revisiting games from your own childhood, dusting off forgotten favorites like sandpits and kites, setting up a treasure hunt or if you're really at a loss for ideas just mimic the kids!
The average household echoes with the plea "Come and play with me" three times a day, but it seems parents are struggling to keep up. A whopping 53% of parents admit they're too strapped for time, while nearly a third (32%) lack the energy or motivation, and 13% feel too embarrassed to romp around like kids.
Shockingly, out of 2,000 adults surveyed, almost one in four (24%) spend less than an hour playing outside each day, and 2% avoid outdoor play entirely, despite 30% yearning for more time in the fresh air.
However, these parents are well aware of the perks of outdoor activity; a staggering 93% acknowledge its importance for their child's development, and 90% recognize that playtime together can fortify the parent-child relationship. Additionally, 70% are cognizant of the health benefits of physical activity, and over half (54%) endorse braving the elements as a surefire way to lift spirits.
Maddie, whose YouTube channel boasts over 80 million views, shared: "Outdoor play is so important when it comes to cognitive and physical development for our children and the research from Sudocrem shows that as parents we know how important this is, with 93% agreeing it's great for their kids."
She added, "But getting outdoors and playing with your kids can be challenging especially when it comes to finding new things to do to keep them entertained. The great news is that the outdoors presents so many different ways to have fun and engage with your kids, creating lots of opportunities to bond and learn."
"Indoor distractions like video games can be hard to compete with over the summer holidays but I've teamed up with Sudocrem to share my top tips for getting outdoors and playing as a family this summer, helping parents and kids tap into their inner child."
1. DON'T BE AFRAID TO BRING OUT YOUR INNER CHILD.
Unleash your silly and spontaneous side or reminisce on your favourite ways to play from childhood and introduce these to your child. They'll love seeing you join in the fun.
2. FIND NEW FORMS OF OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT.
Activities like playing in a sandpit, skipping, or flying a kite can provide hours of fun or create a nature treasure hunt to keep your kids occupied outdoors.
3. LET YOUR CHILD LEAD THE WAY.
If you don't know what to do or how to play, ask your child to show you and let them set the pace. You might be surprised by how much fun you'll have under their guidance.
4. BRING PLAY INTO YOUR EVERYDAY ROUTINE.
For parents who struggle to find time for outdoor play with their children, why not try incorporating this into daily activities such as spotting plants and animals on the walk to school?
Daily tasks can be playful when you approach them with a fresh mindset.
5. BE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING.
Always having sun cream, hats, wellies, etc. , on hand so you can enjoy outdoor play despite Britain's unpredictable weather.
And of course, you can be prepared with My Little Sudocrem - perfect for soothing skin on-the-go so nothing stands in the way of outdoor fun.
For families who don't want irritated skin to hinder outdoor play, My Little Sudocrem is the ideal compact-sized product to carry in your bag. Clinically proven to soothe and protect even the most sensitive skin, its small size ensures parents are ready for any skin irritations on-the-go, be it at the park, playground, or during a bike ride.
For more information, please visit: https://www.sudocrem.co.uk/.
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