Lego: Is playing together at risk?
Is the value of play being lost or is there simply a lack of time? The LEGO Group addressed this question in its latest study2. The results of the international LEGO® Play Well Report 2024 make it clear: Children and adults want more time to play. At the same time, many parents give little priority to play and sometimes even consider it overrated. Yet playful moments not only support children in their well-being and in the development of key skills, but also help adults to relax from everyday life.
Lego Play Well Report 2024
According to the LEGO Play Well Report 2024, a fifth (20 percent) of parents surveyed in Germany never spend time playing with their family. Around half of those surveyed (51%) even think that the value of play is sometimes overrated3. Yet they seem to be well aware of the importance of play for their children: the majority (60%) feel guilty about not playing enough with their child. Almost half of the adults surveyed (46%) in Germany also worry that their child does not have enough time to play and engage in leisure activities.
Why playing together gets cut
Everyday adult life in particular seems to prevent parents from taking time for play or engaging in it:According to their statements, their own workload (64%) and housework (60%) get in the way of playing with the family. In addition, around half of those surveyed find it difficult to switch off from work, so they also think about it in their free time4. 55% of parents in Germany also admit that the time they spend using technology (e.g. smartphones, internet) can prevent them from playing more with the family. The global average is as high as 60 percent.
Playing: Much more than just a leisure activity
Both children and their parents have a great desire to play more together. 81% of children in Germany wish they could play more. Of parents, 82 percent wish they could play more as a family. This is a good thing, because play promotes important key skills such as creativity, communication, cooperation and self-confidence, problem-solving, resilience and critical thinking5. It also allows children to express themselves without fear of making mistakes or being judged, from a parent's perspective6. It therefore contributes to their well-being. And children also confirm how important playing is for them: 90 percent of children surveyed in Germany think that playing is simply good for them. And 9 out of 10 children like the fact that they learn something new through play.
Development and well-being
Play is therefore extremely important for children's development and well-being. This is one of the reasons why play is a fundamental right for every child, as adopted by the United Nations (UN). However, only 25 percent of parents surveyed in Germany are aware of this.
But play is not only important for children. It helps adults to clear their heads and switch off - without any obligations. Creative play brings adults into the here and now and contributes to their own rest and relaxation9. Parents are also convinced that play improves family happiness and general well-being.