Most Parents Today Say Their Kids Don’t Spend Enough Time Outside Anymore
More than half of American parents believe their kids aren’t spending enough time playing outside (55%). A survey of 5,000 parents of children between five and 13 — split evenly by state — finds that 57 percent worry their kids aren’t as excited about playing outside as they were when they were young. In fact, parents have to tell their kids to play outside an average of four times a week.
Parents in Alaska, Arizona, and Missouri are telling their kids to play outside most – at an average of six times a week. The top reasons parents tell their children to go play outside include getting some fresh air (51%), taking a break from their digital devices (47%), and for exercise (42%).
Thirty-five percent of parents also encourage their children to play outside in order to positively impact their mental health – as well as have some quiet time for themselves.
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Claritin®, the survey found parents reported their child typically spends just five hours a week playing outside – less than an hour a day.
The states where their kids get outside the most (playing outside an average of six hours a week) include Alaska, Arizona, Missouri, North Dakota, and Wyoming.
Back in my day…
More than three-quarters (76%) of parents agree most of their time spent as a child was spent playing outside, while 74 percent feel that kids these days don’t appreciate the outdoors as much as they did.
Nearly four in five (78%) went on to agree their favorite childhood memories were of playing outside, so it’s not surprising that 85 percent say it’s important to them that their children spend time outside as well.
Parents in South Carolina were the most likely to agree it’s important that their child plays outside (98%), followed by Montana parents (97%), and 96 percent of parents in Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, and Maryland.
When kids are excited to get outside, their backyard (61%), front yard (54%), and local park (50%) are the top places to hang out. However, parents admit their family would spend even more time outside if their personal space (72%) or local park (64%) was more exciting.
https://www.naturalblaze.com/2022/06/most-parents-today-say-their-kids-dont-spend-enough-time-outside-anymore.html