Parents run out of ideas to entertain kids by day 10 of summer holidays

A POLL of 1,000 mums and dads with children aged 4-12 found 63 per cent admitted keeping their children engaged throughout the holidays is becoming increasingly challenging. The biggest barriers to entertaining the kids include work obligations (41 per cent), multiple children with different interests (33 per cent) and a lack of inspiration (26 per cent). Around 89 per cent agree outdoor play is vital for wellbeing Credit: James Linsell-Clark/PinPep/SWNS Parents are struggling to entertain kids in the summer holidays Credit: James Linsell-Clark/PinPep/SWNS As a result, parents revealed 46 per cent of children spend an hour or less outside daily during the holidays, despite 89 per cent agreeing outdoor play is vital for wellbeing and development. The research was commissioned by GoGo squeeZ, the 100% fruit smoothie snack, which has partnered with former JLS star and father-of-two JB Gill. Sign up for the Fabulous newsletter Thank you! Together they are encouraging children to ‘Level Up in the Wild’ this summer, by turning outdoor play into real-world adventures, inspired by the brand’s Roblox game, GoGo Climb. It comes as 72 per cent of parents said they believe gaming-style language is an effective way to encourage outdoor play. Many parents believe their children are motivated by outdoor activities if it is framed as a “quest” Credit: James Linsell-Clark/PinPep/SWNS The survey found parents often encourage indoor activities Credit: James Linsell-Clark/PinPep/SWNS JB Gill said: “Like lots of parents, I know how hard it can be to keep children entertained once the summer holidays are in full swing. “But sometimes, the simplest ideas can become the biggest adventures if you speak kids’ natural language. “Kids already love the idea of quests, challenges and exploration in games, so bringing that same sense of adventure into the real world is a brilliant way to get families outside together and making memories over the summer.” Three quarters (75 per cent) believe their child is more motivated by outdoor activities when they are framed as a challenge, with words such as “mission” (51 per cent), “reward” (49 per cent), and “adventure” (46 per cent) proving particularly effective. Most read in Fabulous Despite knowing this, the survey found the most common activities parents encourage during the summer holidays are still predominantly indoor pursuits. Movie nights (53 per cent), board games and puzzles (50 per cent), baking together (50 per cent), reading books (48 per cent), playing video games (47 per cent) and drawing or painting (47 per cent) all featured among the most popular options. Steps parents are taking to encourage more time outdoors include letting children choose their own activities (47 per cent), setting up garden games (38 per cent), limiting screen time (38 per cent), and involving them in outdoor projects such as gardening (37 per cent). Many believe outdoor activities become more appealing when friends are involved (41 per cent) or when they are linked to a child’s existing hobbies and interests (32 per cent), according to the OnePoll research. Inspired by the insights, JB Gill and GoGo squeeZ headed to Hangloose Adventure in Bluewater, Kent, where families can put those same principles into practice by tackling challenges together, navigating treetop obstacles and turning the outdoors into an adventure. JB Gill added: “Outdoor play doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive to capture children’s attention. “Whether it’s racing to beat their own high score, collecting experience points or ‘XP’ on a family walk or pretending the pavement is lava, these little challenges can make familiar places feel brand new. “I love the idea of giving children a goal to work towards while they’re getting wild in nature, because it keeps them engaged and gives them a sense of achievement.” JB GILL'S TOP FIVE TIPS TO GAMIFY TIME WITH KIDS: 1. The Superquick Supply Run: Turn a trip to the shops into a timed mission by challenging children to find everything on a shopping list before the countdown ends. 2. The Family XP Quest: Transform family walks into a scavenger hunt where children earn points for spotting wildlife, colours and objects along the way. 3. The Tiered Level Challenge: Break outdoor activities into increasingly difficult stages, like doing monkey bars forward, then backwards, then with every other bar, allowing children to unlock new challenges as they progress. 4. Beat Your High Score: Encourage children to beat their own personal bests by timing activities and tracking improvements over time. 5. Escape the Magma Zone: Use imagination to turn everyday routes into adventures by challenging children to avoid touching the ‘lava’ beneath them. Comment now