The ultimate family night in includes matching pyjamas, pizza, and video games. A poll of 1,000 six to 12-year-olds and their parents found the average household enjoys four nights in together a month. Breaking up their usual evening routine, 56% of mums and dads try to regularly carve out quality time to spend with their family.
It emerged that 66% of parents feel these nights improve their family’s mood and relationships and both parents and children said watching films and playing video games are their top two things to do together. Playing board games closely followed for 59% of youngsters and 50% of adults. Meanwhile, kids also like to create dance videos (25%), make a blanket fort (22%), and have a ‘spa night’ with their family (20%).
A spokesperson for Konami, which commissioned the research to launch Nintendo Switch game ‘Survival Kids’, said: “The research shows how families ensure they have quality time together despite all the mayhem of busy lives. Setting aside just a few nights a month allows parents and children to forget their worries and simply have fun together.
“From modern video games to classic board games, it’s great to share interests across generations.2
The research found that 73% of parents think it is important to have nights in with their family. Reasons for this included showing their child that adults can have fun too (57%), having a break from the ‘everyday’ (53%), and learning about each other’s hobbies (47%).
There has also been a rise in modern game nights, with 86% of parents being video game players and 90% of them regularly playing co-op games with their children. Fifty-eight percent introduced gaming to their youngsters, while for 36% it was the other way around.
Of the kids polled who play games with their parents, 80% claim it’s fun, 67% enjoy it because they get to spend time with their mum or dad, and 56% like being a team.
Meanwhile, adults believe gaming with their children strengthens their bond, improves communication, and takes their minds off other things.
The OnePoll.com data also found parents feel they understand their youngster better as a result, with many saying their child has opened up to them since playing video games together.
Konami’s spokesperson added: “We love to see how video games can help bring families together with modern games nights becoming the new ultimate family night in.
“Survival Kids has been designed to bring co-op fun for all ages with simplistic controls for even the youngest family members to get involved.
“We are looking forward to hearing about the new memories being made together with this game.”
