It’s the Summer holidays, 6 weeks to try and keep the children entertained without over spending. Lucas is only 2 so I still have some time to go until I need to worry about that but working from home around him 6 days a week, does mean I need to find things to keep him busy on a low budget. I have written before about free activities and also wanting to ensure he gets outside play on a regular basis, regardless of the weather. A recent survey reveals families are missing out on time outside together and I think I realised that children do spend more time inside now but I am shocked with the extent of how much.
- Parents are three times more likely to watch TV than play sport with their children
- Almost half of parents haven’t played outside with their children in two weeks, with one in five not having done so in over two months
- More than a third of children have never washed a car
UK parents are nearly three times more likely to watch TV (46%) than play a game of sport (16%) with their children at the weekend, that’s the key finding of a survey by leading car care provider Armor All. This really shocked me as D loves to fet out with Lucas and the football, and Lucas is always asking us to take him out on his bike.
Gardening is the least popular activity a parent would choose to do with their children, with just under 12% doing the weeding together. Lucas has done the weeding with me since before he could crawl, he sat outside in his rocker and watched until he could help himself and he loves doing it now. That being said, I don’t know whether we would if I was out of the house on full time hours.
The survey of over 2,000 people also found that nearly half (42%) of parents haven’t spent time playing with their children outside in the past two weeks, with 20% not having done so in over two months and 8% in over six months.
In light of these results, Armor All is calling for the return of the family car wash as a great way of getting everybody outside at home and enjoying time together. Once a regular family pastime, the survey revealed that more than a third (31%) of children today had never washed a car in their lives.
With just 22% of respondents to the survey claiming that they normally take their car to a professional car cleaning service and 12% stating they don’t wash their car at all, switching to car washing at home with the children could make a difference to family life.
Paul Hough, sales and marketing controller at Armor All, said: “We know that today’s parents are busier than ever, and finding time to complete all your chores and spend time outdoors with your children is extremely tough.
“Our survey showed that 29% of parents said they don’t think they spend enough time with their children and 39% expressed that they could do more. This is why we think that combining both chores and outdoor activities by reinstating the family car wash could be the answer to getting us all spending more quality time together.
“One in five of those that we spoke to said they had fond memories of doing such an activity with their parents when they were younger, so what better way to help create lasting memories with our own children than helping to bring this retro ritual back.”
fussfreejen says
Our summer holidays started off well, with my five year old breaking out in chicken pox on day one. Joys. So we’ve been pretty house bound for the last week.
You’re quite right about getting out and about doing the simple things. Jasper likes to help in the garden, and loves washing the car. My daughter’s like to get him involved with this, so I can generally leave them to it on the drive (and just deal with the soggy child afterwards).
Although, last time they did this, I hadn’t attached the hose correctly to the tap, forgotten the extra tap attachment. During all the time they had had the hose on (a considerable amount of time), a gap at the tap end, had been spraying water high up, hitting the ceiling, and flooding the entire bathroom. Oh dear. It was a “have to laugh or I will cry moment”.
Kacie Morgan says
It’s surprising how much I enjoyed helping to clean my mum’s car when I was younger – how times have changed! Hehe
Tori says
I think getting children involved in all kinds of household jobs can only be a good thing! I can imagine that they’d find washing the car great fun, especially the water element of it all. I smell a water fight on the horizon, haha!
Lyndsay (@FizzyPeachesx) says
I think it’s a great idea to get children involved and make things like this a fun activity! My little one is only 5 months but I’m already looking forward to her washing our car, haha! 😉
Natasha says
My niece absolutely loves the simple things, watering the garden with the house is her favourite as she tries to sneakily attack her dad (my brother) with the water, which is always hilarious! It’s just great for family bonding!
Mummy Times Two says
My two love washing the car, especially if it’s sunny enough to have a water fight at the same time x
Louise x (@withlovefromlou) says
My two have never washed a car, but that’s because I don’t have one. We regularly play outside all together though 🙂
Louise x
Laura Dove says
Ahh I used to love washing the car with my Dad, it was such a treat! Mine have never washed the car either, we usually go through the car wash, but will definitely give it a go this summer!
Jenni says
I’ve had my six year old nanny charge wash mine and his parents car before. He wanted to and offered! I spend everyday outside playing with my nanny children, rain or shine.
Lilinha Espindula says
My car really needs a wash, so I will be asking little man to help next time! 🙂
Jenni says
Oh my goodness! Definitely got to laugh or you would be crying x
jenny says
I never wash my car but I can see that my children might enjoy this!
Musings of a tired mummy...zzz... says
I confess I have never washed a car with my kids and it was one of my favourite things to do as a kid with my dad!
Sarah says
This is really interesting. My little ones have never washed a car, but we dont have one yet. I remember always washing my parents cars! We do spend a lot of time playing outside together though x
Sarah (Mum x3x) says
This is such a fun activity! I use to love helping my grandad wash his car when I was little! We don’t have a car but perhaps the kids could help my mum wash her car! Combining chores with spending time with the kids is a really great idea! We spend a fair amount of time outdoors when the weather allows (which hasn’t been very often lately!) Really great post. xx
Madeeha says
I am not a mum yet but it is very interesting to see how you all keep your kids busy and try to give them the best of life. Outdoor activities bring the family together I believe. I am glad you are bonding well with your kids.
ajennysaved says
Great activity to do with the kids, especially if it’s a sunny day… clean car, worn out kids what’s not to love!
Mainy - myrealfairy says
Great to get the kids involved. I spend too much time thinking how I can outwit mine and get them involved but trying to make it cool too:) At 8 and 11 it’s getting a bit more tricky for me!
Thanks for linking up:)
Mainy
#mainylovessummer
Karen Dennis says
This is an activity that I used to do with my children, it not only keeps them occupied but makes them think that they are helping you too#oneoffsummerlinky
Hellocuppies says
Guess who’s going to be trundling off to Halfords this afternoon for some sponges and car washing stuff…me! My son actually needs to earn his pocket money a little more too so this kind of job is ideal!