As we approach and more opportunities to take a with the kids there's one thing that a leading child psychologist has warned, and it's something that every parent should be wary of.

According to a recent study, a whopping 76% of parents worry their children don't spend enough time outdoors with nearly 65% open to a ' and that's exactly what you should do, says one expert.

Leading Child Psychologist, Professor Sam Wass, has warned of the impact that limited outdoor time is having on our children, as research from Feather Down, one of Europe’s leading providers of experiences, reveals the worry amongst today’s parents is massively around how much time is spent 'always on' digital devices.

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By ditching devices and reconnecting with family, a digital detox can work wonders on your. As modern digital habits reshape family life, parents cite various reasons for their reliance on screens and it's easy to understand why it's a quick fix for busy mums and dads.

Reasons, including a lack of alternative activities, busy schedules, and even the typically British , which half (50 per cent) blame for limiting outdoor time.

But Professor Wass urges parents to remember the health benefits behind putting the screens down. He said: "Evidence shows that spending more time outdoors associates with lower stress, anxiety and depression, and improved mood - even in babies as young as 12 months.

"The effects of nature are also immediate. One study found that even a 20-minute walk in a natural environment, led to improvements in attention and learning in children.

And he has science-baked evidence to back this up. "One popular explanation for this is Attention Restoration Theory, which suggests that indoors environments and screens are harder for our eyes and ears to process than natural outdoor scenes. This is why spending time away from screens, in nature, improves our ability to focus and pay attention. "

He added that whilst some children might benefit from than other, it's an all-round great idea for holiday season. Interestingly, he added that for boys the need is greater and the act of getting outdoors can be akin to certain medications.

"One study found that the relationship between green space and attention and learning was stronger for boys than girls. Another study found that, for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the effects of a short walk in nature for restoring attention and learning were equal to the effects of most common ADHD medications.”

There's no denying that with one in ten families admitting to spending over nine hours a day on screens for leisure it's time to rethink how much times we spend endlessly scrolling.

Parents will also be interested to know that the research comes following the launch of Feather Down’s Destination Detox campaign, helping to get kids outdoors and off devices. But what's Feather Down we hear you cry?

Just the ticket for your next best family holiday as it turns out.

Feather Down Farms provides unique glamping experiences across the UK and Europe on working farms. With a focus on comfort and connection to nature, they offer family-friendly cosy canvas hideaways in beautiful farm settings, surrounded by countryside. With no electricity or Wi-Fi, you'll be free from distractions to spend quality time with loved ones.

Farmers are a key part of the Feather Down experience and a simple stay at a Feather Down farm site supports a diversification avenue - win win! There are also a range of activities including animal experiences on hand, too.

Vicki Baggott at Feather Down, added: "The research confirms what many parents have suspected for a long time - screens are taking over family life. We know how hard it can be to switch off, but spending time outdoors offers a simple way to reconnect with nature and rekindle precious family time.

"At Feather Down, we believe in the power of nature to bring families together and nurture our mental health. We hope this campaign inspires parents to embrace the benefits of a digital detox.”

Professor Wass also provided a simple way to make outdoor time more appealing - make the outdoors feel like indoors.

He added: "One of the reasons why many people prefer indoors to outdoors is simply because indoors feels more like home. So, any way to personalise an outdoor space can help to make it feel more comfortable, familiar, and safe. Children love the opportunity to pick some things that they can take away with them - whether that’s toys, pictures, or decorations, to make a new space feel like it’s theirs right away."

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