It’s not unusual for a toddler to be able to unlock a phone screen with ease. Tablets, smartphones, laptops, and devices are often part of their everyday entertainment, but new research of 5–10-year-old children proves that almost, seven out of 10 (68%) are happier after creative play than they are after solo screen time.

While parents are all too aware of the importance of one-on-one playtime with their children, one in two struggle to find the time (48 per cent) alongside the demands of busy lives. 

Many also find striking a healthy balance between traditional activities, like arts and crafts, drawing, and reading, with time spent playing and watching digital devices, according to the new study by Sambro International, who are releasing a new arts and crafts collection with Disney.

As tech devices are so integrated into every day life, it’s no surprise many parents and guardians (39 per cent) struggle with prying their children away from screens. But there are plenty of benefits of hands-on activities as they do more than just keep little hands busy, as the study shows they’re also key for nurturing essential growth traits like creativity, self-expression, confidence and emotional intelligence.

Despite the time pressures, what parents agreed on was the importance of encouraging their children to follow their dreams (88 per cent), with the new poll revealing the top 10 dream jobs for youngsters.

Jenifer Gowran, arts and crafts buyer said: “Disney are known for being ‘The Place Where Dreams Come True’, so encouraging children to dream big and be creative is a key element of focus.

“At a young age, creative play is so important to learning and developing skills which will be critical in later life, which is why we’re so passionate about delivering best-in-class products that allow children to use their imaginations.

“We like to think we encourage children to push boundaries beyond the everyday and if that helps them grow towards their futures then we have achieved our goal.”

Clare Rix at Sambro, said; “Learning and communication development is so important in the early stages of life, which is why at Sambro we want every child to be able to have the ability to let their imaginations run wild".

“We’re dedicated and passionate about creating innovative and imaginative toys and are truly committed to inspiring children’s imagination through playtime".

“Our range of creative play toys and activities ensures youngsters never feel restricted, allowing them to have fun while also furthering their own personal growth.”

To find out more about Sambro’s full range of creative play toys visit: www.sambro.com