New research from a Stratford children’s centre revealed nearly half of all parents rely on teachers to do creative activites with their children because they do not have the time.

The Discover Children’s Story Centre on Broadway teamed up with the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green along with parenting website Yano to find out about the creative lives of primary age children in the UK.

The poll of 1,000 parents found that 42 per cent rely on teachers to encourage creativity in their children with 58 per cent suggesting such tasks are the sole responsibilty of schools.

The study also said that 42 per cent do not have time to do tasks such as drawing or baking with their children despite 49 per cent claiming they wished their little ones were more enthusiastic about creative games because they believe they are beneficial to a child’s development.

Young visitors to both Discover and the Museum of Childhood voted drawing/colouring/painting their favourite creative activity with story writing in second place, and baking in third.

The research was carried out to coincide with a creative writing competition backed by both children’s centres and Yano to write a short story or poem called ‘My Most Amazing Adventure Ever’ judged by a panel of authors.

Judge Kristina Stephenson, author of ‘Sir Charlie Stinky Socks’, said: “Despite being surrounded by modern technology and the time pressures in our daily lives, what is evident is that children still love being creative, with simple pleasures such as drawing, story writing, and dressing up, still being firm favourites.”

Children can enter the competition at Discover, the Museum of Childhood, or online at www.yano.co.uk.