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BIKES, SKATEBOARDS AND ROLLERBLADES FALL OFF KIDS’ CHRISTMAS LISTS
Once-popular presents such as bikes, skateboards and rollerblades are slipping down kids’ Christmas lists this year, a study has found.
A poll of 2,000 British parents by multi-sports retailer, Decathlon, has revealed that just 1 in 10 say their children have asked for a new bike or skateboard from Santa, and just 1 in 20 have requested rollerblades.
Instead, consoles and games, Lego and smartphones are among the top items on children’s wishlists.
Yet these gifts are likely to be responsible for cooping millions of kids up this Christmas, as seven in 10 parents think their little ones spend too much time indoors during the festive period.
In fact, two thirds of parents said their offspring will only really step outside to visit family over Christmas.
One in 10 even admit that their children don’t venture out of the house at all for a week or more during the Christmas break.
Bad weather is the biggest reason given for children staying inside, along with the lure of new Christmas gifts.
Computer games, iPads and the jam-packed schedule of Christmas TV were also highlighted as common distractions which prevent kids from going outside to play.
Six in 10 parents said they have to encourage their children to step away from their screens over the festive period, while another 61 per cent have also bought their children outdoor gifts for Christmas in an attempt to get them out of the house.
Peter Lazarus, cycling manager at Decathlon, who commissioned the study, said: “It’s not uncommon for children to be inactive during the festive period – they have toys to play with, films to watch and games consoles – plenty to keep them entertained without braving the cold and dark.
“Buying kids an outdoor gift like a bike can be a great way of getting them out in the fresh air over Christmas and setting them up for a more active year ahead.
“A quick cycle around the park, an hour on a skateboard or a walk in the countryside will all help to tear children away from their screens while keeping fitness levels up.”
The research found that the average child will spend just an hour and 35 minutes outside per day during the school Christmas holiday. And three in 10 will get 30 minutes or less of fresh air.
But in comparison, three hours a day will be spent in front of the TV while another two-and-a-half hours will be devoted to playing on iPads, phones or computer games.
Head of ukactive Kids, Jack Shakespeare, added: “Movement has been stripped out of our children’s lives, with Generation Inactive fed a staple diet of sofa play and screen time, while being starved of outdoor activities.
“It is vital for the health and happiness of this generation that we find ways to get children active and social outside of term time – whether a festive family walk or opening up schools to offer activities during the holidays.”
The poll also revealed that nearly a third of children in the UK now don’t even own a bike, and over four in ten of those that do haven’t ridden it for more than a month.
Visit the Decathlon page here, where you can see more about how the sports retailer is helping children get more active by discovering a sport they love, as well as find some useful tips on how to gift-wrap a bike this Christmas.
Decathlon was established in 1976, with the first store located near Lille, France. Since then Decathlon has grown into a global business, present in over 40 countries with more than 1,200 stores worldwide. Decathlon’s mission is simple: to make sport accessible for the many.