Time starved parents are letting work pressures and everyday chores severely impact on the amount of quality time they spend with their children with 50% of parents admitting this was an issue. Nearly a third of children (30%) recognise work worries as being the reason that their parents are too busy to play with them showing that parents need try to put playtime first for their children’s sake.

The age old problem of sibling rivalry is also an issue that parents and children alike highlight as a cause of tension within the family group during playtime. A third of children (33%) felt rivalries with their brothers and sisters took the fun out of playtime, with girls feeling it more acutely than boys.

Nearly a third (32%) of parents cited sibling rivalry as being the biggest problem they encounter when playing with their children as they struggle to know how best to deal with this.

A lack of clear advice and direction generally on how to engage children in effective play and deal with problems they encounter is a clear issue for parents. One in ten (10%) adults questioned admitted they felt so overwhelmed and confused by the conflicting information available that it actually prevents them from playing with their children.

Play is vital to a child’s development, improving the way they interact, communicate and develop key life skills. The ‘State of Play, Back to Basics’ report aims to help parents make play exactly what it should be for both generations: educational, inspirational and above all fun!

Professor Tanya Byron, author of the report said of the findings; "There are four key ingredients to a successful playtime between parents and children namely: education, inspiration, integration and communication.

"Parents need to take a step back and think back to how their own childhood games used these four pillars and how they can implement them now.

The key thing is to have an open and honest dialogue between parents and children and to embrace play environments like Disneyland Paris which provide a great training ground for parents to practice the art of imaginative play by using objects and experiences that are recognisable whatever your age.

"Cross generational enjoyment, where no family member feels inhibited, under pressure, bored or stressed are key to making these four pillars become part of everyday play."

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