Wet weather and fear of getting muddy or 'touching germs' among excuses used by children to stay indoors, research finds

'It’s important for parents to help nurture an interest in the outdoors in their children to grow and flourish – outdoor play can lead to great opportunities'

Twenty-four per cent of infants have asked to stay at home so they can watch their favourite TV show (Shutterstock)

Wet weather and fears about getting muddy are among excuses children use to avoid playing outdoors, a survey of British parents has found.

Tiredness and cold weather were also among the reasons children gave to stay indoors.

One in 10 children said they would rather stay indoors to avoid getting dirty or touching germs.

Thirty per cent have been too engrossed in a video game to go out and 24 per cent have asked if they can stay in so they can watch their favourite TV show, the survey of 2,000 parents with children, aged two to 16, found.

It also found one in 10 frequently bribe their kids to convince them to leave their devices behind and play outdoors, while 45 per cent have had to get persuasive with their children at some time or another in the past in order to get them out of the house for a run around.

“Outdoor play is a great way to bond with your child while allowing them to experience the fresh air and freedom outdoor activities can provide," said Psychologist and spokesperson for Little Tikes, which conducted the poll. “It’s important for parents to help nurture an interest in the outdoors in their children to grow and flourish – outdoor play can lead to great opportunities for learning and discovery, as well as being a fun family bonding experience.”

If it comes to a bribe, three in 10 parents think they can persuade their kids to go outdoors with the promise of sweets.

A quarter would offer them an hour of uninterrupted screen time with their favourite TV show or device in exchange for some outdoor play, while one in two have had to confiscate their child’s favourite tech devices so they consider taking their playtime outside.

Almost a third said their offspring have confessed they don’t know how to occupy themselves when they play outdoors and find themselves getting bored without direction, while 11 per cent have told their parents they are too scared to go outside at one time or another.

Safety conscious parents generally allow their children to play outdoors with friends, unsupervised, by the time they reach their ninth birthday.

Forty eight per cent of the adults surveyed thought their child would be more enthused about going outside knowing that mum or dad was coming out to play with them.

However, 57 per cent admitted they had encouraged their child to stay indoors because they did not have the energy themselves to go out and supervise them while they played.

Parents estimate the length of their child’s average play session outdoors lasts 47 minutes, typically heading out five times a week when the weather is nice and warm in the summer time and twice a week in winter.

Emma Kenny said: “It is often the perception nowadays that our kids are more sedentary, but it is apparent children still feel the need to get outside and burn off all their energy, just as their parents did.

“And when indoor devices are seen to be taking up too much of our children’s attention, resourceful parents are on hand to do everything they can to convince their little ones to indulge in some much needed time outdoors and create great memories to share for life.”

Children’s top 15 favourite things to do outdoors

1. Playing in the park
2. Playing in the playground or play area
3. Football
4. Playing on the trampoline
5. A walk
6. Exploring woods or forests
7. Playing in a paddling pool / water play
8. Playing on a scooter
9. Going on a picnic
10. Games like ‘You’re It’
11. A treasure hunt
12. Building a den
13. Walking the dog
14. Climbing trees
15. Camping

SWNS