Parents struggling to find playtime, despite its importance 🧸

Every parent wants to spend quality time with their children, but modern life makes it incredibly challenging. Recent research shows that 4 out of 5 parents struggle to engage in meaningful play with their kids, creating a growing disconnect in family relationships.

The Play Puzzle: Why Parents Are Falling Short

A groundbreaking survey by LEGO Group and Playgroup NSW revealed some eye-opening insights. While parents overwhelmingly prioritize their children's social skills (74%) and emotional development (67%), many find it difficult to create those crucial play moments.

The Numbers Tell a Story:

• Toddlers spend about 52 hours a week playing

• Moms typically play 18 hours per week

• Dads average 13 hours of playtime

• 15% of dads skip daily play completely

• 13% of working parents struggle to find daily play time

Gen Muir, a parent educator, offers a simple yet powerful solution: 
"Everything they need to learn, they are going to learn best through play."

Small Moments, Big Impact

The secret isn't about marathon play sessions. It's about creating meaningful connections in tiny moments. Muir suggests:

• Stop and observe your child's activities

• Show genuine interest

• Use simple encouragement like "Wow, that's a cool tower you're building!"

These small interactions help children feel seen, valued, and supported.

Why Play Matters More Than You Think

Play isn't just fun – it's critical for child development. It helps children:

• Build social skills

• Develop emotional intelligence

• Boost confidence

• Learn problem-solving

• Create stronger family bonds

Breaking Through the Barriers

Parents face real challenges: work stress, digital distractions, and endless responsibilities. But the solution isn't complicated. It's about being present and intentional.

Quick Play Tips for Busy Parents:

• Put away phones during playtime

• Follow your child's lead

• Be silly and spontaneous

• Create short, meaningful play moments

Bullet Points:

• A LEGO Group and Playgroup NSW survey found that 80% of parents struggle to engage in meaningful play with their children, even though 74% prioritise social skills and 67% value emotional development.

• Toddlers average 52 hours of play per week, yet mums play only 18 hours and dads just 13 hours—and 15% of dads skip daily play altogether, while 13% of working parents can’t find time each day.

• Small, intentional moments—observing your child’s activity, showing genuine interest, and offering simple encouragement like “Wow, that’s a brilliant tower!”—create stronger connections than marathon play sessions.

• Play is crucial for building children’s social skills, emotional intelligence, confidence, problem-solving abilities, and reinforcing family bonds.

• To overcome barriers like work stress and digital distractions, parents should put away their phones, follow their child’s lead, embrace silliness, and carve out short but meaningful play breaks.