Lack of playmates, not video games, the main reason Dutch kids don't play outside

On average, children in the Netherlands are playing outside slightly more often than two years ago, according to research by Jantje Beton and the industry association Spelen & Bewegen (Play & Move). Remarkably, video games are no longer the main reason for staying indoors. It’s a lack of friends to play with.

The average child now plays outside for 7.6 hours per week, up from 7.2 hours in 2024. In 2022, it was still 9.9 hours per week. For the study, 1,136 children aged 6 to 12 and their parents or guardians completed an online questionnaire.

Over half of the children indicated they would like to play outside more than they do now. Strikingly, electronic devices are no longer the main reason for not playing outside. The main reason is now a lack of playmates on the street.

42 percent of children cited having no friends to play with as the main obstacle to going outside to play. This creates a downward spiral: when few children are outside, others also don’t go out.

Other important reasons for not playing outside are digital play options (34 percent), a preference for more fun indoor toys (33 percent), and a lack of things to do outdoors (22 percent).

The study found that there is almost a two-hour difference in the time children spend outdoors each week between the large cities and rural areas. In municipalities like Hollands Kroon and De Fryske Marren, kids play outside for an average of 8.7 hours per week, compared to 6.9 hours in cities like Amsterdam, Eindhoven, and Rotterdam.

Children in non-urban areas enjoy playing outside more than children in highly urbanized areas. Non-urban kids give the activity a rating of 8.4, while city kids score playing outside a 7.8.

Over a third of respondents also have no playground within 200 meters of their home. Those without a playground nearby are less likely to play outside. According to Jantje Beton, this creates a new form of inequality - inequality of play.

Something needs to be done, said Jantje Beton director Mascha van Werven. “We allow play space to be unevenly distributed. Playing outside is not a luxury; it’s a basic requirement for a healthy childhood. Playing outside not only develops motor skills but also self-confidence and problem-solving skills. You learn to work together and release tension. Skills you’ll need throughout your life.”