The poll of 1,000 parents, commissioned by Busy Bees, found that parents consider space and mess when choosing which toys to buy, while others said they don’t have the time to set up and clear away certain activities at home.
Parents that took part were more likely to say they read to their children than took part in creative activities, such as painting.
However, according to the nursery group, colouring, drawing and playing with sand or mud are among the top activities the children of those polled enjoy the most.
Respondents to the survey also identified a lack of inspiration and the cost involved as factors which have discouraged them initiating creative play, plus the knowledge that their child will do these activities at nursery, or with their childminder.
More than half (51 per cent) admitted to feeling ‘silly’ or ‘embarrassed’ when taking part in imaginative play such as dress-up or role-play.
The survey also found that trips to the park are popular among parents, with more than a third (37 per cent) visiting a playground of engaging in other physical play activities several times a week.
The aim of the research was to highlight how play can help promote aspects of a child’s development, as well as encourage parents to ensure their children benefit from a wide range of play activities.
'We hope to inspire parents to try new activities outside their comfort zone'
Jenny Shaw, academic Lead at Busy Bees, said, ‘Children are learning all the time when they’re playing, and any time a parent spends playing with their child is beneficial to their learning.
‘Every parent is different – so it’s natural they will have a preference for one kind of play or another. Some thrive off being expressive or letting their little ones burn off excess energy playing outside, whereas others favour quieter activities such as reading and building blocks.
‘By highlighting these preferences – and allowing parents to recognise their particular play style – we hope to inspire them to try new activities outside their comfort zone which could bring about different types of learning and which both they and their child will enjoy.’
Busy Bees has also partnered with former Strictly Dancing professionals Ola and James Jordan, parents to two-year-old Ella, to launch a campaign to make parents aware of the ‘play gap’ and inspire them to try out different types or play with their children.
Ola Jordan, said, ‘It’s no surprise that parents are favouring certain types of play over others. When it comes to playing with our daughter Ella, my husband James is really imaginative but prefers not to have to clean up afterwards, whereas I’m all about getting out the glitter and sequins!
‘Now we know how valuable it is for her to experience different kinds of play, we’ll definitely be broadening how we play with her, potentially taking a leaf or two out of each other’s books when it comes to playtime.’
- See our Special report – Discovering new approaches to sensory play in the October issue of Nursery World, out now