Ask a group of parents what's crowding out make-believe, and you'll probably hear about tablets. A new UK poll says that's true, but it also finds a long list of other culprits, some of them closer to home.
What parents said
The survey of 2,000 parents was carried out for the food brand Ben's Original and reported on 4 November by several UK papers. Three quarters of parents said their children's imaginations are being held back by screen time, homework and packed schedules.
When asked what gets in the way most, parents named:
- digital devices (49%)
- homework (47%)
- busy morning and evening routines (29%)
- too little free time after school (20%)
A separate US survey of 2,000 parents, done by Talker Research for Celebree School in July, found something similar: 67% said screens make it harder for children to use their imagination.
Parents were also honest about themselves. Half said their own tiredness gets in the way of imaginative play, and 40% pointed to household chores. On the bright side, 41% said they'd like to do more creative things with their children.
What the poll can and can't tell us
This is a poll of what parents think, commissioned by a brand, not a study that measured children's creativity. It tells us how families feel, which matters, but not exactly what is happening in kids' heads.
The science on screens and imagination is more mixed than the headlines suggest. A 2023 study of five- and six-year-olds in Russia found no link between imagination and the time spent playing computer games, and suggested some games that make children plan and solve problems might even help. The researchers called the overall evidence “quite contradictory”.
A small idea for this week
What the poll does show is that time is the real squeeze. Imagination doesn't need a big plan. A cardboard box, a blanket over two chairs, or ten minutes of “what if” at dinner can do a lot. And if you're tired, that's fine: kids are usually much better at making things up than adults are. Let them lead.