Friendships play the most important role

Best friends are the most important thing

What do Germany’s children like to do most of all in their free time? Spend time with their friends. This is the result of the Kids Consumer Analysis 2009.

In the market and media study on behalf of publishing house Egmont Ehapa Verlag, a representative sample of 1,627 children aged 6 to 13 were surveyed, plus one parent or guardian for each child. This provided a picture of the leisure behavior of 5.7 million children.

For 75 percent of girls and 80 percent of boys, friendships come in first place. For girls, other popular free time activities include watching television (68 percent), listening to music (64 percent), riding a bike (46 percent) and painting and drawing (45 percent). It is a similar picture for the boys: watching television (77 percent), riding a bike (64 percent), playing soccer (58 percent) and listening to music (51 percent).

The boom in entertainment electronics (TVs, DVD players, stereos or MP3 players) is not slowing down. But traditional toys are still very popular (see graph) because it is these that young friends enjoy playing with when they are together.

The toys in Germany’s playrooms

Source: KidsVA 2009/Basis: 5,70 Mio.