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Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Swings, jumping on bouncy castles & water fights among parents' secret favourite activities – despite being for kids
Scroll down to see the full list GAME ON Swings, jumping on bouncy castles & water fights among parents' secret favourite activities – despite being for kids Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PARENTS secretly love playing on swings, jumping on a bouncy castle – and having water fights. A poll of 1,000 mums and dads found 87 per cent think getting to do kids' activities is 'one of the best things about being a parent'. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up With playing at the beach (55 per cent), walking around the zoo (46 per cent) and going on theme park rides (41 per cent) at the top of the list. And far from being bored while children play, 27 per cent secretly love to play on the swings and 22 per cent enjoy a bouncy castle. While others quietly like colouring in (31 per cent), water fights (32 per cent) and playing with toys (30 per cent). The research, commissioned by found 79 per cent claim doing activities with the offspring makes them 'feel younger' – by an average of 14 years. It also emerged 94 per cent of parents wish they could enjoy more quality days out with their kids. But working hours (65 per cent), the cost of living (42 per cent), and struggling to come up with new ideas for what to do (22 per cent) were named among the top barriers. Catherine Lyver, from Railcard, which commissioned the research and offers a Family & Friends Railcard with savings of a third on adult train fares and 60 per cent on child fares, said: 'The research shows parents relish the opportunity to relive the magic of childhood with their kids - and travelling by train makes it even more special. 'From beach days and zoo trips to theme parks and aquariums, these shared experiences can help bring families even closer together over the school holidays." The study also found 69 per cent said quality time with their children simply makes them happy, while 68 per cent claimed it leaves them feeling closer with their offspring. But 43 per cent said it has direct benefits on their mental health and 40 per cent think it allows them to focus on what is really important in life. The research also revealed nearly all parents (96 per cent) plan activities with their kids that they enjoy doing too, at least some of the time. With 16 per cent admitting that they always pick something they will have fun doing as well as their youngsters. A third (33 per cent) of parents prefer to travel by train on their days out, with 61 per cent of those enjoying being able to give their full attention to their child. But 56 per cent like that the adventure starts 'as soon as you board the train' and 53 per cent said it helped enable quality time as a family. Catherine Lyver, from Railcard, which has helped 7.4 million customers save an estimated £1.5 billion over the last year, added: 'Summer is a time for play – whether you are an adult or a child. 'And we want to encourage parents to reclaim their joy of play and adventure with the kids over the school holidays by taking advantage of savings on travel and attractions across Britain when you travel by train.' The top 20 'kids' activities parents secretly love 1. Going to the beach 2. Going to the zoo 3. Going on theme park rides 4. Visiting aquariums 5. Going to see family friendly shows at the theatre 6. Doing puzzles or kids board games 7. Going to museums and galleries more aimed at children 8. Going to animal farms or petting zoos 9. Water fights 10. Colouring in or arts and crafts 11. Playing hide and seek 12. Visiting educational historic places 13. Playing with children's toys 14. Activities related to our favourite movies, TV shows or books 15. Paddling in the sea 16. Going to playgrounds and going on the swings, climbing on climbing frames etc 17. Building sandcastles 18. Playing with their toy cars or remote-control cars 19. Doing outdoor climbing adventures (e.g. high wires, rope climbs, abseiling etc.) 20. Bouncing on a bouncy castle
Scotsman
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
The top 20 'kids' activities that parents secretly love
Playing at the beach and walking around the zoo topped the list | Emma Trimble / SWNS Parents secretly love playing on swings, jumping on a bouncy castle – and having water fights. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A poll of 1,000 mums and dads found 87 per cent think getting to do kids' activities is 'one of the best things about being a parent'. Playing at the beach (55 per cent), walking around the zoo (46 per cent) and going on theme park rides (41 per cent) are at the top of the list. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad And far from being bored while children play, 27 per cent secretly love to play on the swings and 22 per cent enjoy a bouncy castle. While others quietly like colouring in (31 per cent), water fights (32 per cent) and playing with toys (30 per cent). The research, commissioned by found 79 per cent claim doing activities with the offspring makes them 'feel younger' – by an average of 14 years. It also emerged 94 per cent of parents wish they could enjoy more quality days out with their kids. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But working hours (65 per cent), the cost of living (42 per cent), and struggling to come up with new ideas for what to do (22 per cent) were named among the top barriers. Catherine Lyver, from Railcard [ which commissioned the research and offers a Family & Friends Railcard with savings of a third on adult train fares and 60 per cent on child fares, said: 'The research shows parents relish the opportunity to relive the magic of childhood with their kids - and travelling by train makes it even more special. 'From beach days and zoo trips to theme parks and aquariums, these shared experiences can help bring families even closer together over the school holidays." The study also found 69 per cent said quality time with their children simply makes them happy, while 68 per cent claimed it leaves them feeling closer with their offspring. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But 43 per cent said it has direct benefits on their mental health and 40 per cent think it allows them to focus on what is really important in life. The research also revealed nearly all parents (96 per cent) plan activities with their kids that they enjoy doing too, at least some of the time. With 16 per cent admitting that they always pick something they will have fun doing as well as their youngsters. A third (33 per cent) of parents prefer to travel by train on their days out, with 61 per cent of those enjoying being able to give their full attention to their child. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But 56 per cent like that the adventure starts 'as soon as you board the train' and 53 per cent said it helped enable quality time as a family. Catherine Lyver, from Railcard, which has helped 7.4 million customers save an estimated £1.5 billion over the last year, added: 'Summer is a time for play – whether you are an adult or a child. 'And we want to encourage parents to reclaim their joy of play and adventure with the kids over the school holidays by taking advantage of savings on travel and attractions across Britain when you travel by train.' The research comes as 94 per cent of parents wish they could enjoy more quality days out with their kids | Emma Trimble / SWNS The top 20 'kids' activities parents secretly love: Going to the beach Going to the zoo Going on theme park rides Visiting aquariums Going to see family friendly shows at the theatre Doing puzzles or kids board games Going to museums and galleries more aimed at children Going to animal farms or petting zoos Water fights Colouring in or arts and crafts Playing hide and seek Visiting educational historic places Playing with children's toys Activities related to our favourite movies, TV shows or books Paddling in the sea Going to playgrounds and going on the swings, climbing on climbing frames etc Building sandcastles Playing with their toy cars or remote-control cars Doing outdoor climbing adventures (e.g. high wires, rope climbs, abseiling etc.) Bouncing on a bouncy castle
Scotsman
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
The top 20 'kids' activities that parents secretly love
Playing at the beach and walking around the zoo topped the list | Emma Trimble / SWNS Parents secretly love playing on swings, jumping on a bouncy castle – and having water fights. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A poll of 1,000 mums and dads found 87 per cent think getting to do kids' activities is 'one of the best things about being a parent'. Playing at the beach (55 per cent), walking around the zoo (46 per cent) and going on theme park rides (41 per cent) are at the top of the list. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad And far from being bored while children play, 27 per cent secretly love to play on the swings and 22 per cent enjoy a bouncy castle. While others quietly like colouring in (31 per cent), water fights (32 per cent) and playing with toys (30 per cent). The research, commissioned by found 79 per cent claim doing activities with the offspring makes them 'feel younger' – by an average of 14 years. It also emerged 94 per cent of parents wish they could enjoy more quality days out with their kids. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But working hours (65 per cent), the cost of living (42 per cent), and struggling to come up with new ideas for what to do (22 per cent) were named among the top barriers. Catherine Lyver, from Railcard [ which commissioned the research and offers a Family & Friends Railcard with savings of a third on adult train fares and 60 per cent on child fares, said: 'The research shows parents relish the opportunity to relive the magic of childhood with their kids - and travelling by train makes it even more special. 'From beach days and zoo trips to theme parks and aquariums, these shared experiences can help bring families even closer together over the school holidays." The study also found 69 per cent said quality time with their children simply makes them happy, while 68 per cent claimed it leaves them feeling closer with their offspring. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But 43 per cent said it has direct benefits on their mental health and 40 per cent think it allows them to focus on what is really important in life. The research also revealed nearly all parents (96 per cent) plan activities with their kids that they enjoy doing too, at least some of the time. With 16 per cent admitting that they always pick something they will have fun doing as well as their youngsters. A third (33 per cent) of parents prefer to travel by train on their days out, with 61 per cent of those enjoying being able to give their full attention to their child. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But 56 per cent like that the adventure starts 'as soon as you board the train' and 53 per cent said it helped enable quality time as a family. Catherine Lyver, from Railcard, which has helped 7.4 million customers save an estimated £1.5 billion over the last year, added: 'Summer is a time for play – whether you are an adult or a child. 'And we want to encourage parents to reclaim their joy of play and adventure with the kids over the school holidays by taking advantage of savings on travel and attractions across Britain when you travel by train.' The research comes as 94 per cent of parents wish they could enjoy more quality days out with their kids | Emma Trimble / SWNS The top 20 'kids' activities parents secretly love:
Daily Mirror
07-08-2025
- Daily Mirror
The top 20 'childish' activities that parents secretly adore
Nine in ten parents are planning their kids' activities around things they also enjoy - with a trip to the beach or zoo particular favourites Parents secretly love playing on swings, jumping on a bouncy castle and having water fights, new research has shown. A survey of 1,000 mums and dads revealed 87 per cent believe participating in children's activities is 'one of the best things about being a parent'. Beach adventures, zoo visits and theme park attractions topped the list of parents' favourite activities to do with their kids. Meanwhile, others quietly enjoy colouring in, water fights and playing with toys. Rather than feeling bored while their youngsters play, 27 per cent enjoy having a go on swings or getting involved on the bouncy castle. For eight in ten parents joining in with activities makes them 'feel younger' – by an average of 14 years. Many parents also said it had a positive impact on their mental health and reminded them of what is truly important in life. 'My cousin gave her daughter worst name ever and I refuse to use it'. 'I accidentally named baby after dog food brand and I don't know what to do' Catherine Lyver, from which commissioned the study and provides a Family & Friends Railcard offering savings of a third on adult train fares and 60 per cent on child fares, said: "The research shows parents relish the opportunity to relive the magic of childhood with their kids - and travelling by train makes it even more special. "From beach days and zoo trips to theme parks and aquariums, these shared experiences can help bring families even closer together over the school holidays." The research discovered the majority of parents wish they could savour more quality time with their kids. However, work commitments, increased living costs and struggling to come up with new ideas can sometimes be a barrier. The research unveiled that nearly all parents plan activities with their kids that they enjoy doing too, at least some of the time. With 16 per cent confessing that they always choose something they will have fun doing as well as their youngsters. A third (33 per cent) of parents prefer to travel by train on their days out, with 61 per cent of those enjoying being able to give their full attention to their child. But 56 per cent like that the adventure starts 'as soon as you board the train' and 53 per cent said it helped enable quality time as a family. Catherine Lyver added: "Summer is a time for play – whether you are an adult or a child. "And we want to encourage parents to reclaim their joy of play and adventure with the kids over the school holidays by taking advantage of savings on travel and attractions across Britain when you travel by train." THE TOP 20 'KIDS' ACTIVITIES PARENTS SECRETLY LOVE: Going to the beach Going to the zoo Going on theme park rides Visiting aquariums Going to see family friendly shows at the theatre Doing puzzles or kids board games Going to museums and galleries more aimed at children Going to animal farms or petting zoos Water fights Colouring in or arts and crafts Playing hide and seek Visiting educational historic places Playing with children's toys Activities related to our favourite movies, TV shows or books Paddling in the sea Going to playgrounds and going on the swings, climbing on climbing frames etc Building sandcastles Playing with their toy cars or remote-control cars Doing outdoor climbing adventures (e.g. high wires, rope climbs, abseiling etc.) Bouncing on a bouncy castle
