Unleashing Kids' Creativity: World Play Day Insights
Approximately one-third of children struggle to find time for creative pursuits.
Berlin (dpa) - Too much screen time, too little explore time, and light wallets: Over one-third of respondents in a recent survey claim that Kindergarten and primary school kids don't get the time and resources they need for creative exploration. The German Children's Aid Foundation shared these findings on World Play Day, observed on June 11.
Per the Forsa survey, a whopping 96 percent of participants consider creative activities crucial. However, only 51 percent believe children can actively participate in these activities outside of school and daycare. Nearly half the group disagrees, including parents with kids at home, where 37 percent voice concerns about limited time and opportunities for creative pursuits.
The survey reveals that digital devices pose a potential hurdle in children's creative engagements. Almost 81 percent of respondents acknowledged that constant digital media availability might dampen kids' enthusiasm for creative exploration. Seven out of ten think parents might underestimate the support and encouragement needed for such activities.
Strained family finances and a lack of engaging opportunities could also hamper creativity – respondents with lower household incomes agreed more (70 percent). Eastern respondents expressed greater concern about a scarcity of attractive, accessible creative offers (54 percent) compared to their Western counterparts (35 percent).
The survey was conducted by Forsa from April 14 to 16, 2025, polling 1,001 randomly selected German-speaking citizens aged 18 and over.
German Children's Aid Foundation: Creativity vital for development
The survey emphasizes the significance of creative activities and free play for children, according to the German Children's Aid Foundation. Beyond providing joy, such activities foster crucial skills like cognitive abilities and a sense of community. Adults must prioritize giving kids the freedom to play and create, stated Holger Hofmann, the federal director of the German Children's Aid Foundation.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 31, asserts every child has the right to play, rest, and leisure[1]. World Play Day on June 11 aims to bring attention to this fundamental right. In Germany, the German Children's Aid Foundation and the "Right to Play" alliance promote numerous activities around the day.
[1] Source: UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, https://www.un.org/developments/human-rights/conventions/childrens-rights/text/
- The German Children's Aid Foundation, in light of the survey findings, stresses the importance of creative activities and free play for children's development, as they nurture crucial skills such as cognitive abilities and a sense of community.
- Holger Hofmann, the federal director of the German Children's Aid Foundation, urges adults to prioritize providing children with the freedom to play and engage in creative pursuits, following the principles outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 31 that guarantees every child the right to play, rest, and leisure.
