Germans demand more time and space for kids creative freedom

As World Play Day approaches on June 11, 2025, a recent forsa survey commissioned by the German Children’s Fund reveals the nation’s growing concern over the time and opportunities children have for creative, playful, and sporting activities. The survey, representative of 1,001 German-speaking adults across Germany, highlights both the high value placed on these activities and the increasing barriers children face in enjoying them, especially outside formal daycare and school settings.

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The Vital Role of Play in Child Development

According to the survey, an overwhelming majority of adults in Germany agree that physical sports (97%), creative activities like painting, music, or theater (96%), and free play (95%) are crucial for children’s development. These activities not only promote physical health but are also essential for fostering imagination, problem-solving, social skills, and emotional wellbeing.

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Holger Hofmann, Federal Executive Director of the German Children’s Fund, underscores the importance of play, stating that from birth, children learn about their world through their senses and natural curiosity. He highlights that play is a child’s right, enshrined in Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and essential for their individual growth and self-expression. "We adults must ensure sufficient space and time for children’s playful interaction with their environment," Hofmann insists.

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Concerns Over Current Playtime Opportunities

Despite the broad agreement on the importance of play, the survey reveals a significant gap between ideal and reality. Only about half (51%) of respondents feel children currently have enough time and opportunities for creative activities outside of structured environments like daycare or school, while 41% disagree. This indicates a notable concern among adults about children’s diminishing free playtime.

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Several factors are identified as obstacles to children’s creative engagement:

• Digital Media Overload: A striking 81% of respondents believe that constant access to smartphones, tablets, and other digital devices dampens children’s motivation to engage in analog creative activities like arts and crafts or imaginative play. The allure of screens is seen as a major competing distraction.
• Lack of Parental Support: About 75% feel that many parents do not sufficiently encourage or support their children’s creative pursuits, possibly due to time constraints, lack of awareness, or their own disengagement.
• Financial Constraints: 61% identify economic challenges as a barrier, noting that some families may struggle to afford materials, classes, or extracurricular programs that foster creativity.
• Over-scheduled Children: Nearly half (45%) see long hours spent in daycare and school as leaving children exhausted and with little energy or time left for free play.
• Limited Availability of Activities: 38% mention the scarcity of easily accessible and attractive options for creative play as another factor limiting children’s engagement.

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Public Demand for More Play and Creativity Time in Schools

The survey also highlights strong public support for educational reforms. An overwhelming 89% of respondents would welcome more time and space dedicated to free and creative activities within primary schools, especially all-day schools. This sentiment reflects a desire to balance academic demands with opportunities for holistic development.

This push aligns with educational experts’ calls for schools to foster creativity and play as foundational elements of learning, not just leisure. Such changes could mitigate screen dependency, reduce childhood stress, and promote healthier development patterns.

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About the Survey

The data was gathered by forsa Gesellschaft für Sozialforschung und Statistische Analysen mbH, using a systematic random procedure to survey 1,001 German-speaking adults aged 18 and above. The results offer valuable insights into public attitudes on child development priorities, on the heels of the UN-mandated World Play Day.