Science and engineering are top careers that can be shaped by kids' playtime

06 March 2023 , 00:10

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Parents try to spend an average of 30 minutes a day playing with their kids, to spark their imaginations (Image: Mikael Buck/Disney)

Science, engineering, and teaching are the top career choices that parents believe are inspired – by childhood playtime, a study has found.

Nearly three in ten mums and dads (28%), with children aged two to eight, believe how they play in their early years can be an indicator of their future career path.

Other careers inspired by imaginative play at a young age include artistry, performing arts, or becoming a dancer or musician – as well as working in technology or in architecture.

As a result, the 1,000 parents polled typically spend 30 minutes a day playing with their children up to the age of eight, to help spark their little one's imaginations.

The top benefits parents believe their youngsters derive from playtime include building social skills (48%), creativity, (47%), and teaching them original thinking (45%).

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Science and engineering are top careers that can be shaped by kids' playtime

Four in ten kids are most imaginative when playing with arts and crafts (Mikael Buck/Disney)

Half of the mums and dads polled say their children are inspired by technology-based toys, while 42% find fun in creating and building.

A third believe reading can help influence their child’s future, while 27% consider construction-related play a core driver.

And for 40%, arts and crafts spark imagination in their kids, potentially leading to future career choices.

The research was commissioned by Disney as part of the Wonder of Play – a global initiative drawing on Disney’s 100-year legacy of timeless stories, unforgettable characters, and memorable products – to inspire families to play together every day.

Launched together with Disney Stage Masters, children, artists, influencers, and celebrities, the Wonder of Play is supported by the Institute of Imagination – an organisation that champions the power of creativity and imagination in children, so they will learn how to build a better future for us all.

Sarah Fox, for Disney, said: “We know how important imaginative play of all kinds is for families and their children.

“Not only do they give families time to spend bonding together, it’s also key in building the necessary skills for our children’s development long after they grow out of playing at home.

“We hope our The Wonder of Play campaign helps to inspire playtime, and give families easy ways to play at home regularly.”

The research also found 44% feel shared play can help teach kids important life lessons.

And while 38% of parents think adults lose imagination as they get older, 36% now enjoy the “magic and wonder” of playtime with their child.

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More than a quarter (27%) are actively trying to inspire their children’s futures and careers via playtime, according to the OnePoll data.

It also emerged the most popular time for parents to engage in play with children was, unsurprisingly, the weekend (54%).

But many take the opportunity to squeeze in time for play during routine activities, such as during bath time (36%), travelling to school (23%), and at the dinner table (22%).

Overall, 62% try to involve play in their everyday activities – and 45% feel life is too busy to set aside time specifically for play, so this is the best way to manage it.

Artist Coco Lom designed Disney's new 'Wonder-ful Playhouse', which launched in London this weekend (Matt Alexander/PA Wire)

Sarah Fox added: “Squeezing in playtime throughout the day is a brilliant way to engage with your kids at times you might otherwise be on auto-pilot.

“And these different times might lead to some emergent play – encouraging a child to experiment with food could lead to an interest in cooking as a career, for example.

“There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to playing with kids, from how long to do it, to what you should do – as long as the child is learning and having fun, that’s all that matters.”

Disney has opened a “Wonder-ful Playhouse” in London over the weekend for families to explore a series of play rooms, designed by artist Coco Lom, whose creations were inspired by children’s ideas.

Celebrity mum-of-three, Billie Shepherd, who was at the event, said: “It’s always busy in our household, and having just had baby Margot has only added to the craziness.

“No matter what, we will always make sure to set time aside to play as a family, making sure we’re giving the kids the tools they need for their future.”

Coco Lom added: “What an incredibly exciting creative challenge it’s been to design this Playhouse.

“Disney has such a big history of stories and characters to use as inspiration, and I hope that everyone who visits will come away with a ton of new and wonderful ideas to help them play more together at home.

“It’s been a joy to work on the design with a local group of brilliantly creative children, taking their limitless ideas and turning them into reality.

“Creative family play is so important for children’s health and wellbeing.”

TOP CAREERS BELIEVED TO BENEFIT FROM IMAGINATIVE PLAY IN CHILDHOOD: