Ikea’s 2024 Play Report delves into the importance of play in children’s lives, exploring its impacts on their future. Over the past 3-5 years, the way play and playfulness are perceived by children and families and how they relate to home has changed, with more parents prioritizing play in the home.
Play can be much more than how it’s traditionally perceived and it extends beyond specific activities. Playfulness is a mindset; a way of thinking and living that defines how parents with children approach and interact with the world and their home. It’s an approach to life that’s all about exploring,
experimenting, creating, communicating, and connecting.
Regarding the digital era we live in, the report highlights that children are becoming less physically active and spending more time indoors, often in front of screens. This shift towards a more inactive lifestyle has led families to bring traditional outdoor play activities inside the home, trying to fight the excessive screen time that limits opportunities for physical play, creative activities, and quality family time.
The key conclusions from this international research study on play and playfulness revolution at home are as follows:
- The Dawning of a Play Revolution: Parents see play as a way to escape pressure and stress, increasing happiness and well-being for adults and children.
- Play Isn’t Equal: Highlighting disparities in access to play opportunities and the importance of addressing these inequalities in terms of space, money, and opportunities.
- Three Human Priorities: The desire for a stress-free and happy life, nurturing children’s self-love and assistance, and fostering connection and family togetherness.
- The Home as the Center: The home is not just a physical space but a vital center. It’s a safe and comforting space that caters to all its members’ needs.
The IKEA Play Report 2024 provides examples of physical solutions and products that can be implemented at home to promote play and creativity, such as double-purpose modular furniture, Indoor play structures, and sensory play areas with different materials to stimulate children’s senses and encourage exploration and discovery.
