Britain Turns To Games And Puzzles For Entertainment

2 February 2012

New research out today reveals that 79 per cent of cash-strapped Brits have turned to traditional games and puzzles to save money. As austerity measures bite, more than a quarter (27 per cent) are currently completing a puzzle and the average Brit now plays a game or puzzle three times a month - the equivalent to 40 times a year.

Celebrity puzzlers, including Michael Owen, Kelly Brook, Tasha Danvers and Demi Moore, have led a revival in puzzle playing among young people, according to the study by Jumbo Games.

Almost a third of Brits aged 18-25 years (27 per cent) are playing games and puzzles at least once a week and, despite the rise in technology, nearly a half (43 per cent) prefer them to spending time on their gadgets and gizmos.

37 per cent of Brits bring out their board games and puzzles at dinner parties while nine per cent of 25-34 year olds play with friends in their local pub or restaurant.

One in five of the respondents polled (21 per cent) play a board game or complete a puzzle after work and more than one in three (36 per cent) take them on holiday to relax and unwind.

Brits reach their puzzle playing prime between the age of 25 and 34 years old with one in seven (14 per cent) of those polled playing a game or puzzle three times a week or more. The average 25-34 year old plays a game or puzzles 45 times a year compared to 45-54 year olds who play 36 times on average.

As more than half of the respondents polled (58 per cent) admitted that they cannot afford to go out now as much as they used to, over a third of those polled (34 per cent) said that they are playing more traditional games and puzzles now than they did five years ago.

The average Brit owns six board games with one in five (22 per cent) possessing over ten. Trivia games are the most popular amongst Brits (26 per cent), closely followed by roll-and-move games (23 per cent) and strategy games such as Stratego (13 per cent).

Picture puzzles remain a household staple with the average Brit owning 15 puzzles and one in seven Brits (15 per cent) owning over 30 puzzles.

While 60 per cent of Brits play games and puzzles to socialise, more than two thirds (70 per cent) said they find puzzles therapeutic. A competitive 61 per cent said they get a buzz from playing traditional games and puzzles and a whopping 83 per cent admitted they play to keep their brain active.

59 per cent of the respondents said they want to make sure the games and puzzles they enjoyed as a child are passed down to their family and future generations.

People in the north east are the biggest fans of traditional board games and puzzles, owning 28 games and puzzles and playing 67 times a year on average. Despite having the second biggest collection of games and puzzles (25) people from Yorkshire and Humberside play just 33 times a year.

By contrast the average Londoner has 19 games and puzzles and plays 42 times a year. Twelve per cent of the capital's residents play three times a week or more.

According to the findings, Brits are also choosing to play traditional games and puzzles on their handheld gadgets too. 38 per cent of Brits have downloaded a traditional game or puzzle onto their mobile or smartphone.

The same number admitted to playing such games on their commute to work and 43 per during their lunch break.

Says Gray Richmond, Managing Director of Jumbo Games: "As people are discovering, games and picture puzzles are a great way to while away an evening and to share with friends and family.

The tough economic climate has no doubt played a part in this revival - particularly amongst young adults who previously might not have thought twice about splashing out on more expensive everyday pursuits."

Regions that play that play the most games and puzzles (average times per year):
1. North East (67 times)
2. South East (47 times)
3. West Midlands (46 times)
4. North West (43 times)
5. London (42 times)
6. Scotland (41 times)
7. East Midlands (35 times)
8. East (34 times)
9. Yorkshire and Humberside (33 times)
10. South West (31 times)
11. Wales (19 times)
12. N. Ireland (12 times)