Royal Children’s Hospital national child health poll finds many children are playing games on their devices most days

A Royal Children’s Hospital poll reveals many parents find playing with their children boring and a “waste of time”, while half of all kids are playing on devices most days.

MORE than a third of Australian parents prefer not to play with their children, while one in eight believe children’s play is mostly a “waste of time”.

The latest Royal Children’s Hospital national child health poll found that while more than 90 per cent of parents enjoy playing with their child, 36 per cent cent said they would prefer to do something else.

The poll, which surveyed more than 2000 Australian parents of children aged from one month to 17 years, found dads (68 per cent) were slightly more than likely than mums (58 per cent) to “often” find play hard or boring.

More than half of parents said their children needed more play time and less homework, while 86 per cent said it was hard for them to find time to play with their children.

About one in three parents surveyed said they prefer not to play with their children. Picture: iStock

The survey also found 54 per cent of parents said their children played on screens most days, compared to 45 per cent for outdoor play.

Paediatrician and poll ­director Dr Anthea Rhodes said the results showed parents were not alone in finding play boring sometimes, but it was crucial for kids’ development and learning.

“For kids to be healthy, they need to play,” she said.

She said play didn’t need to be time-consuming or involve expensive toys and could be as simple as peek-a-boo behind a door or chasing your child down the hall.

“I think we over complicate play,” she said.

“It’s about finding the little playful moments.”

She said play involving risk – which more than a third of parents said was not good for children – also had a role in children’s development.

The poll found 54 per cent of Aussie children are playing on screens most days. Picture: iStock

“Trying to navigate risk is an important part of play and can be beneficial for children’s learning,” she said.

“It can sometimes be challenging to identify the difference between a healthy level of risk and a situation that is ­hazardous, when it comes to children’s play.

“It’s about allowing children and young people to have experiences that challenge and test them, without putting them in danger.

“That line will be different for every child.”

Dr Rhodes said even screen time can be a form of play.

“Parents feel that play has changed over the years, with two-thirds saying play was better when they were growing up than it is for children today,” she said.

“It’s really about how the technology is being used.

“Children can express their imagination, curiosity and ­creativity through screen-based play.”

Originally published as Royal Children’s Hospital national child health poll finds many children are playing games on their devices most days