Kids share what makes the proper day trip together with picnics and sport
A poll of 1,000 children aged six to thirteen revealed that swimming, watching a movie at the cinema, and seeing animals are key ingredients for the perfect day out.
Having a picnic (42%), enjoying fairground rides (40%) and visiting a playground (39%) also made it into the top 10 elements kids believe make a day out special.
Playing sports with their mates is also a hit among children, with football (38%) and cricket (17%) being the favourites.
However, some youngsters had more unique ideas, such as sightseeing in London, including a visit to 10 Downing Street (24%). Some even dreamt of something truly extraordinary – like a day trip to the moon.
Kristin Sonfield, director at Compare the Market, which commissioned the study to celebrate its partnership with The Hundred, said: “There are so many fun elements to what makes the perfect day out. The opportunities are endless – from building sandcastles to watching cricket, there’s fun for everyone.”
The research found that the ideal day out involves four separate activities, with the favourite one lasting 94 minutes in total.
(Image: Getty Images)
Touchingly, parents top the list (64%) of who kids want to spend the day with, ahead of friends (45%) and siblings (43%).
But parents will be relieved to know that 10am is the most popular activity start time for 23% of kids. However, an unfortunate 11% of children are eager to start their day at 8am.
When quizzed about their preferred mode of transport for their ideal day out, over one in ten (13%) expressed a desire to travel by helicopter, while 5% fancied arriving in style in a limousine.
The survey revealed that the beach (57%) is the top choice for a day out, narrowly beating the water park (53%) and zoo (48%). A sports stadium was the preferred destination for 24%, with more than half (51%) keen on watching a live cricket match.
Kristin Sonfield commented: “There’s so many elements which makeup the perfect day. Food, transport, travel – not to mention the fun activities planned.”
“Getting to try something new and exciting is always fun – you might find something else which you didn’t know you liked, and that could form part of your perfect days moving forward.”
TOP ACTIVITIES FOR THE PERFECT DAY OUT:
- Swimming – 49%
- Going to the cinema – 49%
- Seeing animals – 43%
- Having a picnic – 42%
- Going on fairground rides – 40%
- Visiting a playground – 39%
- Playing football – 38%
- Playing with water balloons – 32%
- Visit an aquarium – 30%
- Watching football – 29%
- Going on a nature walk – 29%
- Building sandcastles – 27%
- Going on a treasure hunt – 25%
- Going on a safari – 25%
- Visiting famous places in London – 24%
- Painting – 23%
- Visiting a museum – 22%
- Climbing trees – 21%
- Going in a hot air balloon – 17%
- Playing cricket – 17%
- Riding in an F1 car – 13%
- Playing tennis – 13%
- Watching cricket – 12%
- Going fishing – 11%
- Riding to the moon – 10%
