Aussies want to spend more holiday time with their kids

What Australians want most from their holidays is time to spend playing with their children. 

New research has revealed Aussies feel guilty for not having enough play time and psychologist and parenting expert Michael Carr-Gregg says finding time and places to engage in play on holidays helps create positive memories, early brain development and bonds families together. 

Holiday house booking site Stayz has curated a list of top holiday playhouses available for vacations across Australia. 

The national research, commissioned by Stayz, found seven in 10 Aussies believe that playing with kids helps to create stronger bonds and memories while six in 10 Aussies agree that parents feel guilty if they don’t have enough time to play with their kids thanks to work and household chores. 

Psychologist Carr-Gregg, a specialist in parenting, children and adolescents, says play is not trivial. 

“Nothing lights up the human brain like three-dimensional play with loved ones," he says. 

"Not only does play relieve stress, improve brain function, enhance creativity but it also improves our relationships and our connections to other people. Play is what helps us feel young and energetic throughout our entire lifespan.” 

With holidays being a great time to engage in the magic of play, the research also found that playing board games, swimming in the pool and making sandcastles are among the greatest holiday memories for Australians.

“We’ve all had a very serious 12 months and it’s left us craving some good times with loved ones," says Stayz travel expert Simone Scoppa. 

"Time for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, nieces and nephews to escape into a game of cards, hide and seek, dress ups or Marco Polo in the swimming pool.  Time not to worry about work, homework or mowing the grass.” 

Stayz is Australia’s original holiday rental website and is part of Expedia Group. 

Stayz lists more than 50,000 properties across Australia, and now over two million properties internationally available for rent. See www.stayz.com.au.