Top things adults say they miss the most from childhood

From waking up without a care in the world, school holidays, and having no life admin Brits reveal the things they long for from their youth

“With so many adults across the country missing some of the fun they had as a child, we’re calling for the nation to embrace that nostalgic positivity” (SWNS)

A study of 2,000 Brits revealed the activities adults miss most from their youth, with more than half (56 per cent) admitting they have lost their sense of fun with age.

Getting pocket money, playing in the park and watching TV as soon as they got home from school were featured in the top 40 list.

Others miss things being done for them including cooking, washing and packed lunches being made.

Waking up feeling excited, particularly on their birthday, was also featured.

The research was commissioned by Tropicana, which is calling for adults to reclaim a childlike positivity at the start of each day by building a giant bed and placing it on the main concourse of King’s Cross station for adults to use as a trampoline.

The poll found people typically remember starting the day feeling happy (35 per cent), playful (22 per cent) and optimistic (21 per cent) in their youth.

In comparison, adults today wake up feeling tired (42 per cent), stressed (24 per cent) and anxious (21 per cent).

They wake up with four things on their mind, including the weather, tasks at work for the day ahead, money and bills.

Caroline Wilding, spokesperson for Tropicana Brands Group, said: “With so many adults across the country missing some of the fun they had as a child, such as being outdoors or singing out loud, we’re calling for the nation to embrace that nostalgic positivity and ‘Be More Kid’.

“We want to remind people to bring a sense of that childlike fun and sunshine to the day.

“The way we start each day, from what we have for breakfast to how we get to work, has a huge impact on setting the tone for the day ahead.”

The research went on to find that more than a quarter (26 per cent) wish they hadn’t taken childhood for granted when they were young, and the most fun age was revealed as nine years old.

In comparison, 27 was found to be the average age adults lost their sense of fun.

Half of those polled agreed grown-ups need to be more carefree and take a leaf out of children’s books, while 27 per cent envy others who have fun without caring what people think.

Among the things adults think they could learn from youngsters were making more time for fun (45 per cent), seeing the best in people (40 per cent) and starting the day with positivity (38 per cent).

Of those polled, 56 per cent have partaken in a childlike activity since being an adult, including having a daytime nap (41 per cent), playing on arcade machines (38 per cent) and colouring in (33 per cent).

Such pastimes made them feel happy (56 per cent) and carefree (44 per cent), according to OnePoll data.

Caroline Wilding added: “For almost a third of adults, their mood is impacted by how they start the day.

“It just goes to show how important it is to start the morning positively – a glass half full attitude if you will.

“It was enlightening to learn that over half said doing a childlike activity made them feel happy.

“So, to spark inspiration, and to give people an excuse to carve out time for positivity, we have installed a giant bed into King’s Cross so that commuters and passersby can tap into their inner positivity and make their day more joyous.

“We hope those that get involved can forget about work commitments, or daily stresses, and jump on a giant bed, turning their regular morning routine into an opportunity for fun.”

Top 40 things adults miss about being a child:

1. School holidays
2. Waking up without a care in the world e.g. no worries about the day ahead
3. No life admin
4. Being cooked for
5. Being looked after when unwell
6. Waking up on birthday mornings feeling excited
7. Spending a lot of time outdoors
8. Playing in the park
9. Getting pocket money
10. Seeing friends every day at school
11. Falling to sleep quickly and easily
12. Washing being done
13. Watching kid’s TV shows
14. Not knowing the concept of money
15. The newness of everything e.g. flying for the first time, going to the cinema for the first time
16. Waking up feeling excited
17. Having friends over after school / going to friend’s houses
18. Feeling like you could be anything you wanted when you grew up
19. Not having to do food shopping
20. Watching TV after getting home from school
21. Climbing trees
22. Being bought sweets and chocolate
23. Having toys bought for you
24. Drawing/colouring in
25. Knocking on neighbours’ doors to go out and play
26. Playing hide and seek
27. Not worrying about getting dirty when outside
28. Going to fairgrounds/on rides
29. Going on arcade machines
30. Being read to
31. Having packed lunch made
32. Waking up with a positive attitude
33. Getting carried when too tired to walk
34. Singing without caring how it sounded
35. Jumping in puddles
36. Walking, cycling or scooting to school
37. Getting certificates, gold star etc
38. Having sleepovers
39. Napping in the day
40. After school clubs/hobbies