You might be surprised by Irish children’s favourite family activities

Family outings can take a serious toll on your pocket.

Luckily, a new survey reveals that most children prefer cheaper activities to expensive days out. The number one family activity among 600 Irish kids and parents was walking the dog. Other favourite activities to enjoy together as a family for the children in the survey were going to the beach, going swimming and building a fort at home. In a time when many kids don't get outdoors as much as we'd like, this is heartening news. It also shows that parents needn't spend big for everyone to enjoy their day. "We didn’t hear anything about the extravagant birthday gift or the marquee with the 100 people in garden for the Communion party. It was that we built forts with cushions in living rooms," Dr Colman Noctor, a child psychotherapist who helped conduct the study, told the Independent. "Instead of sitting down in a posh restaurant where they have to be quiet, it’s about parents getting down to the children’s level. Going out on the bikes in the park is much more enjoyable for them." Spending time together as a family is hugely beneficial for kids, he said, and so should be a priority. "The child can go to their parents when they’re in crisis, and for this to happen, this closeness is something that is built over years, it’s not something that can be just created at the moment of crisis itself." The research was conducted for Center Parcs Ireland.