Quick question: when did you last build a block tower with your toddler without one eye on the clock, the washing basket or the work email that just pinged? If the answer is “um … “, you’re not alone. And with Grandparents Day on Sunday 25 October, new research suggests Nan and Pop might have the secret we’re missing.
The 2026 LEGO DUPLO Little Years Big Impact Report shows Australian grandparents are quietly giving our kids something many of us struggle to: slow, present, unhurried play.
And honestly? The numbers are pretty lovely.
What did the LEGO DUPLO Little Years Big Impact Report find?
The YouGov study surveyed 1,069 Australians, including 773 parents and 296 grandparents of preschoolers aged 18 months to four years.
The standout finding? Grandparents have time on their side.
- 76% of grandparents say time with their grandkids feels less rushed than when they were raising their own children
- 60% say they can give more undivided attention now
- 72% believe family life is busier today than in their parenting years
Mums of Australia, raise your hand if you just felt seen. Yep!
Why are parents struggling to find time to play?
It’s not that we don’t want to. 95% of parents agree play supports their child’s development. We know it matters.
The problem is everything else. 95% of parents say something gets in the way of playing more with their kids, and 63% worry they’re not spending enough quality time playing. Lack of time was the biggest barrier (35%), followed by tiredness (24%) and the never-ending housework and admin pile (17%).
Add cost-of-living pressure (55%) and work demands, and play slides down the list. Not because we don’t care, but because there are only so many hours between daycare pick-up and bedtime.
Grandparents, on the other hand, are often one step removed from the daily juggle. And that changes everything.
Grandparents and Play: The Bond that Bridges Generations
When grandparents have the grandkids, play isn’t an afterthought. 41% actively prioritise play, well ahead of talking and storytelling (19%) and outdoor activities (18%).
They’re big believers in what it does, too. 93% of grandparents say shared play bridges generational gaps and strengthens family bonds, and the same number say it creates lasting memories.
What do they love most? 38% enjoy being silly (we’d pay good money to watch), 31% love seeing their grandchild’s imagination take off, and 20% enjoy building or creating something together.
Grandparents also rated play’s developmental benefits higher than parents across the board. 82% said play builds confidence, compared with 67% of parents, and 77% said it helps with problem solving (versus 62% of parents). The report suggests grandparents may take a more relaxed view of “learning through play”, while parents are busy tracking milestones in real time.
“A second chance to slow down”
NSW grandparents David and Lyanne regularly care for their grandchildren Poppy, 4, and Finn, 6, to help their family with childcare. For them, the difference between then and now is huge.
“When you’re raising your own kids, you’re always watching the clock,” they say. “Caring for our grandkids gives us a second chance to slow down, drop to the floor, and just be present with them in play without the pressure of the daily routine.”
Parenting expert and LEGO DUPLO Ambassador Gen Muir says that’s exactly what makes grandparent play so powerful.
“Grandparents hold a beautiful, unique position in the lives of young children. Because they are often one step removed from the frantic daily grind of school runs, work pressures, and household chores, they can bring a sense of calm and presence to play.”
It’s not all easy for Nan and Pop, though
Before we hand the kids over every weekend … a reality check. 78% of grandparents feel some pressure when playing with grandchildren, mostly around energy and the physical demands. Anyone who’s crawled around after a two-year-old knows it’s a full-body workout.
Only 53% feel modern toys and media reflect multi-generational families well, so there’s still a gap in how grandparents show up in kids’ worlds.
If your parents or in-laws are stepping in, a thank you (and maybe a cuppa and a comfy chair) goes a long way.
Gen Muir’s 6 Tips for Grandparents Play
Gen has shared her top tips for grandparents wanting to make the most of playtime. A few are good reminders for parents too.
- SERVE & RETURN: When a little one babbles, asks a question or shows you something,
- TAKE THE TIME TO LISTEN: Time is one of the biggest gifts grandparents bring. Without the pressure of getting parenting “right”, they can simply enjoy their grandies, and
- ALLOW FEELINGS: Tantrums, meltdowns, tears … they’ll happen.
- LET THEM STRUGGLE A LITTLE: Resist the urge to jump in.
- OLD MEETS NEW: Share games from your own childhood, weave your stories into play, and bring back classics like peek-a-boo. Then
- BE PLAYFULLY CHEEKY: A sneaky chocolate after dinner or an ice cream at the park? Gen says
Not More Guilt, Just More Space
If you’ve read this far with a little twinge of guilt about the play you’re not getting to, take a breath. The report’s own conclusion is that families don’t need more guilt. They need more space.
And play doesn’t have to be long or complicated. Gen says even a few minutes on the floor, following your child’s lead, helps them feel seen and heard.
So this Sunday, maybe the best thing we can do is let Nan and Pop take the lead, put the kettle on, and say thank you.
Is a grandparent your family’s secret weapon? Tell us how they play with your kids in the comments.
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