Parents seem to not have the time to play outdoors with their children
Summer activities, such as climbing trees, riding bikes and making daisy chains are seemingly becoming a thing of the past, with the stresses and strains of modern life indicating a lack of parental time to play outside with the kids, according to the results of a survey commissioned by The Caravan Club .
Results of the interesting survey demonstrated that 80 per cent of adults admitted that their children spend less time outside playing activities such as football, ‘tag’ or riding their bikes than they did when they were kids. It’s not shocking that over 70 per cent of adults stated that their kids would much prefer to play their computer games or on their tablets than enjoy the outdoors. However, over 75 per cent of the parents surveyed stated that the main reason for their kids staying indoors this summer is that they (the parents) are not able to play outside with them.
Over 50 per cent of respondents said that spending time with parents and siblings would get the kids outside more to enjoy the summer fun and activities they had as a child. However, 40 per cent of the respondents who say that they do play with their children would like to be able to do more.
Simon Reeve, TV presenter, explorer author, has joined The Caravan Club and created the Big Little Tent Festival – and initiative to encourage families to get outdoors this summer and spend more time together as a family.
The Big Little Tent Festival commences over the August Bank Holiday weekend, on the night of the 30 August. This festival aims to bring families together by encouraging them to have a festival in their own gardens, camp out together, become Woodland Trust Nature Detective, cook together over a campfire and spend time enjoying each other’s company. This concept moves the family away from all modern day distractions of tablets, televisions and video games, whilst providing the conveniences attributed to being at home.
Those who are interested in signing up can do so at www.caravanclub.co.uk/BLTF and are also able to register for a free festival pack that includes wristbands, bunting and various activities, as well as enter a prize draw to win a European family camping holiday with The Caravan Club. There will be BBQ prizes across the social media platforms from 17 to 31 August (just make sure you include #BigLittleTentFest15 on Twitter). The best picture submitted on Festival day also wins a European camping holiday. Also available for download on the website are recipes and music festival playlists.
The Caravan Club’s director general, Nick Lomas, said: “We all know how great it is to be outside and we want to encourage the next generation to ditch their smartphones, grab their parents and satisfy their natural thirst for adventure. So what better place to start than by exploring their own back garden? The Caravan Club and our partners over at the Woodland Trust are supporting this drive to ensure the younger generations embrace the excitement that camping and exploring the great outdoors provides.”
You can follow the festival on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @BigLittleTentFestival, and share your fun with the hashtag #BigLittleTentFest15.
The end of summer may be just around the corner, but it is never too late to get out there, toast some marshmallows and tell stories around the campfire whilst enjoying the great outdoors.
Check out the promotional video for The Big Little Tent Festival below.
