Tablet generation misses the joy of childhood outside

TODAY’S children would rather turn to tablets and smartphones for amusement than the simple outdoor pleasures that kept their grandparents entertained, a poll reveals.

And three-quarters of grandparents quizzed said they were far more adventurous in their youth than their children or grandchildren.

Climbing trees was a favourite childhood memory for threequarters – yet more than half said their own grandchildren had missed out on that experience.

Four in five adults think today’s youngsters have far less freedom to explore outdoors than when they were in shorts, research for the National Trust found.

Rolling down hills, building dens and flying kites were among activities today’s generation miss out on because they are glued to computers in their spare time.

Research shows nearly half of grandparents take on childminding duties more than twice a week, rising to almost two-thirds in the school holidays.

And nine in 10 said that they encourage them to get outdoors rather than spend time cooped up inside.

The poll of 1,000 British grandparents and parents is part of the charity’s “50 things to do before you are 11¾” drive to get families to enjoy time together outdoors.

Today’s children spend less than half as much time playing outside than their parents and grandparents did as youngsters.

The typical child now spends just one hour 20 minutes a day outside compared with two hours 40 for their parents and three and a half hours for grandparents.

Behavioural psychologist Donna Dawson said: “Grandparents today are spending more and more time with their grandchildren, and one of the things they are sharing is a love of nature and the great outdoors – something that harks back to their own happy childhood memories.

“Learning to appreciate nature at a young, impressionable age makes it much more likely children will grow up to pass on their love of outdoor experiences to future generations.

“As a grandmother of seven, I have seen the effects myself. They are never happier than when running free in the fresh air and sunshine, exploring and asking questions about the natural world around them.”