Parents are longing for their children to experience the same kind of childhood they enjoyed, according to a new survey commissioned by Celebree School, an early childhood education franchise, and conducted by Talker Research. The survey found that 88 percent of Americans wish their children played more like they did growing up, underscoring a growing desire to reclaim the simple, imagination-driven experiences many feel are disappearing from childhood.
“The best childhood memories are often created in the moments when nothing was planned,” said Kristen Miller, vice president of education at Celebree School. “The moments children often say they’re bored can actually become the moments when they imagine, create, tell stories, solve problems and develop skills they’ll carry for life. That’s where some of childhood’s greatest learnings begin.”
When asked which childhood activities parents miss most, 41 percent of respondents said hide-and-seek topped the list, while 39 percent said they missed riding bikes and the same percentage recalled sleepovers. Another 38 percent said they missed spending time playing with neighborhood friends.
Parents also identified the activities they wish their own children did more often. Riding bikes and reading books tied for the top spot, each selected by 35 percent of respondents. Family dinners followed closely at 34 percent, while 31 percent said they would like to see their children spend more time on nature walks.
Many parents also acknowledged the challenges of modern parenting. Nearly two-thirds said they feel pressure to constantly entertain their children, and 30 percent reported experiencing guilt or anxiety about their children’s screen time multiple times each day.
Despite those pressures, parents recognize the benefits of allowing children unstructured time. Three-quarters believe boredom helps children become more creative, while 67 percent said screens make it harder for children to use their imagination. Another 66 percent said cultivating imagination is very important for early childhood development.
Respondents overwhelmingly agreed that childhood today looks dramatically different than it did one generation ago. More than two-thirds pointed to increased screen time as the biggest change, while 56 percent said children spend more time indoors. About one-third said children simply spend less time playing outside.
When asked which activities best encourage storytelling and imagination, nearly half ranked outdoor exploration first. Reading books followed at 44 percent, while 36 percent selected building forts or other structures, and 33 percent pointed to imaginative play with toys. Those responses closely mirror what early childhood educators have observed for decades: children build literacy, communication and critical-thinking skills through play.
“Some of the most important learning happens during unstructured play,” added Miller. “Whether children are building forts, inventing games or reading to stuffed animals, they’re developing language, confidence, creativity and a lifelong love of learning.”
