Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

TP Toys Survey Results Reveal Outdoor Play is Being Left Out in the Cold

TP Toys surveyed 2000 adults and 1500 children under seven, with the results suggesting that parents across the country are bringing up a generation of screen children, with as much as one in five children claiming they would rather be at the computer than outside.

The 2008 outdoor play survey from TP Toys also showed that on a typical day during the school holidays, almost 40% of UK children spend one to 2 hours in front of a TV or computer screen while 6% spend more than 4 hours in front of a screen during their time away from school.

The survey also revealed that parents across the country acknowledge the problem of their children being reluctant to enjoy outdoor play, with 47% of parents admitting that their children do not go out as much as they would like. 4% of parents claimed the reason for this was the lack if a decent park or play area to take their children to, while a worrying number of parents admitted that they didn't feel safe taking their children to the park.

Despite children perhaps not spending much time in the park, the TP Toys survey revealed that a large percentage of families across Britain own a number of outdoor toys for use in their gardens. The most popular item of garden play furniture was shown to be a slide, owned by almost 66% of families, while over half own a swing set. The survey also revealed that 25% of parents have not bought any play equipment for their garden, with a further 18% claiming that they felt outdoor toys are too expensive.

Commenting on the survey, a spokesman for TP Toys said: "The good old days of spending your formative years enjoying playing outside seem to be well and truly over. Worryingly we are rearing a generation of screen children who are more likely to be playing a computer game than hide and seek. It is vital that children spend time outside so they can benefit from fresh air, exercise and the interaction that gives them confidence and helps them to learn important social skills. There's so much that they can learn and enjoy outside that parents really need to ensure that their children spend as much time having fun outside as they did when they were growing up."

About TP Toys:
TP Toys is a UK based outdoor toys manufacturer in Worcestershire, which has been producing goods for almost fifty years. TP Toys range includes wooden climbing frames, swing sets, trampolines and steel climbing frames, all of which are built to last and backed by comprehensive guarantees and after sales care. Over the years TP Toys has established a network of independent specialist Centres of Excellence throughout the country. TP toys can be purchased from John Lewis and other stockists in the UK and Republic of Ireland, while the new free brochure can be ordered on line.

TP Toys PR Contact:
Sarah Draper
TP Activity Toys
Severn Rd
Stourport on Severn
Worcestershire
DY13 9EX
01299 872892
www.tptoys.com