NEWS COPY
The typical British adult’s fondest childhood memories are of family trips to the beach, games of hide and seek and watching Top of the Pops.
Researchers who carried out a detailed study among 2,000 adults found memories of playing in the sand, collecting seashells and playing games like hopscotch sprang to mind first when asked to recall happy days as a child.
Recording the music charts on a Sunday, obsessing over collectible toys and cards in the playground and school dinners also conjure up strong memories for many an adult.
The study, which was commissioned by New Covent Garden Soup, also found paddling in the sea, exploring rock pools and making daisy chains also made the list of the 50 most common childhood memories in Britain.
Nearly three quarters (73 per cent) of those who took part in the poll said the beach played a part in their happiest memories.
It appears that our strongest childhood memories are more than ten times as likely to be events that took place in the summer compared to any other season.
But the chance for families to gain quality time together away from the distractions of work, technology and the stresses of home life are harder to come by now - results showed that today’s typical family unit gets less than four hours per week that they consider to be quality time together.
In fact, four in ten hard-working parents worry they don't make enough new memories with their children.
Clinical Psychologist, Dr Nihara Krause , who worked with New Covent Garden Soup said; "Spending shared quality time together as a family is extremely important; not only does it help to strengthen family bonds and connections and improve communication, but shared time also ensures children feel prioritised and cared for."
Seven in ten families surveyed felt that holidays are the best time for bonding and the same amount aim to have one beach visit a year.
And more than half of parents surveyed said they have visited a destination with their own family they visited themselves when young, in an attempt to recreate fond memories.
As many as 74 per cent feel it’s harder for modern families to make time for each other without distraction. Gadgets and televisions ‘in every room’ was cited as the biggest barrier to families not getting more meaningful time with one another.
In a bid to bring families together this summer and cut loose from daily routines, work stress and the demands of modern life, New Covent Garden Soup is ‘Off to the Seaside’ and hosting family fun days at 14 seaside locations.
Dr Nihara Krause added; "Time spent in free play in the natural world has many benefits and an extremely positive impact on health; improving learning ability, creativity and mental, psychological and emotional wellbeing, as well as enhancing physical strength and fitness.
"Time spent together outdoors enjoying activities such as trips to the seaside, walking and visits to parks and wooded areas, provides the opportunity to reconnect as a family away from distractions and gadgets. Exploring nature, such as gathering shells on the beach, not only provides new learning but also encourages curiosity and opportunities for free, unstructured play."
As well as offering entertaining nostalgic seaside activities, New Covent Garden will be serving up tasty summer soups and giving away hundreds of goodies to help families have fun together at the beach, including buckets and spades and beach balls. For those unable to visit, New Covent Garden has also compiled ways for families to make memories and build bonds away from the beach, in the garden or park.
THE 50 MOST COMMON CHILDHOOD MEMORIES
1. Family holidays
2. Hide and seek
3. Collecting shells on the beach
4. Hop scotch
5. Watching Top of the Pops
6. Sports days
7. Watching children's TV
8. Fish and chips
9. Pic n mix sweets
10. Playground games (British bulldog etc.)
11. Pencil cases
12. Climbing trees
13. Egg and spoon race
14. Recording the music charts on a Sunday
15. School dinners
16. Collecting toys/ cards/ collectibles etc.
17. Ice creams from the ice cream van
18. Playing outside until it was dark
19. Paddling in the sea
20. Dinner ladies
21. Your teeth falling out and putting them under your pillow
22. Kiss chase
23. Fighting with siblings
24. Fishing for tadpoles in a pond
25. Going to Woolworths to buy records
26. Playing on a rope swing in the woods
27. School field trips
28. Visiting cousins
29. Making daisy chains and wearing them around your head
30. Going 'back to school' shopping at the end of summer hols
31. Getting up really early in the morning to go on holiday
32. Reading magazines
33. Exploring rock pools
34. Using jumpers for goal posts
35. School tuck shop
36. Playing in the paddling pool
37. Ice cream floats
38. Running around bare foot outside
39. Sleepovers with friends
40. School packed lunches
41. Swimming in cold sea
42. Playing tennis against the back of the house
43. Scratch and sniff stickers
44. First time getting told off by a teacher
45. Staying up late for New Year's parties
46. Sliding on the grass in school uniform
47. Paper rounds
48. Going camping
49. Playing car games on long journeys
50. Singing in the back of the car
For further details on the ‘Off to the Seaside’ tour visit newcoventgardensoup.com @NewCovent Garden facebook.com/NCGSoup
ENDS
