82% of parents of under‑18s wish they were more active outdoors with their families, while two thirds think they and their children spend too much…
UK
All Industries
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UK Family Lifestyles Consumer Report 2026
"UK family life is defined by a growing gap between parental aspirations for active children and the financial constraints that govern daily decisions."
Rich Shepherd, Associate Principal - Consumer Insights
82% of parents of under‑18s wish they were more active outdoors with their families, while two thirds think they and their children spend too much time looking at screens. This highlights growing demand for shared, wholesome activities.
Financial pressures are a barrier, as two thirds of parents feel priced out of family activities. Partnerships with leisure, entertainment and activity venues offer brands and retailers a powerful route to deliver affordable family experiences and build loyalty under cost constraints.
Changing use of the family home in recent years provides plenty of opportunities for brands to offer products and services that prioritise multifunctionality and comfort. Many homes must now how host work, play and learning, as well as a relaxing sanctuary from the outside world. This creates demand for multifunctional spaces and opportunities for brands to design adaptable, value-conscious products and experiences that help families make the most of their space both now and in the future as needs and priorities evolve.
This Report Looks at the Following Areas:
Family financial situations, and the impact of recent policy changes on UK family finances
Shifting household structures and delayed lifestage milestones
How families make decisions on purchases and activities, including children’s increasing influence over what they wear
Family activities, including screen time concerns and a desire for more outdoor, active family experiences
In-store shopping preferences and the importance of sensory, child-friendly environments
Demand for flexible homes that accommodate evolving family dynamics, pets and multiple activities
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
What you need to know
Outlook for family lifestyles and behaviours in the UK
Opportunities
Champion kid-parent co-creation
Activate the great outdoors
Build homes that flex
THE MARKET
Family finances are mostly secure, but challenges persist
Graph 1: current financial wellbeing, by lifestage, 2026
Despite growing household diversity, traditional units dominate families with children
Brits are living with parents longer, and having their own kids later
Graph 2: percentage of young people living with parents, by age, 1996-2024
Graph 3: standardised mean age of parents, all births, 1984-2024
Delayed traditional milestones are changing the nature of family life
Child wellbeing and life chances are at the core of the government’s Plan for Change
Legislative changes have sought to boost family finances and improve employment access and protections
THE CONSUMER
Family decision making
Prioritise speaking to parents, but don’t neglect the role of kids in family decisions
Graph 4: decision makers in the family, 2025
Fashion brands should embrace their role in fostering teen identities
Graph 5: decision makers for the clothes children wear, by age of children in the household, 2025
Parents take more control of meals at home
Help parents teach core life skills in the kitchen
Play to the value of nostalgia to appeal to kidult parents and children alike
Restaurants need to appeal to everyone to capture family diners
Graph 6: decision makers for restaurants when families eat out together, by age of children in the household, 2025
Family activities
Parents prioritise time outdoors and with friends and family when entertaining their kids
Celebrate the great outdoors
Only half of parents of under-5s read books with their children, falling further as kids get older
The Sunday Times looks to “Get Britain Reading”
From “Gamer Moms” to “game with mum”
Graph 7: activities parents typically do with their children, by gender, 2025
The family shopper
Retailers should focus on the physical and sensory environment of stores to help parents of young children
Reassure parents that stores are safe spaces to bring their children
Help parents to spend more time in store
Retailers can appeal to a large majority with a few small tweaks
Use of the home
Modern homes host a myriad of activities
Flexibility is key to maximising space for home activities
Promote communal third spaces to young, urban professionals
Graph 8: selected activities carried out in the family home in the average week, by housing situation, 2025
Escape to the kitchen
Graph 9: activities carried out in the family home in the average week, resident parents only, 2025
Homes must be able to grow with families
Attitudes towards family lifestyles
Price concerns are holding back parents
Design rewards around the whole family to boost brand loyalty
Screens are a source of significant concern
Successfully reducing screen time relies on promoting alternative activities
Parents expect a degree of flexibility from their employers
Graph 10: parents and work, 2025
APPENDIX
Report scope
The consumer
Consumer research questions
Consumer research methodology
TURF methodology
How to read: TURF analysis
UK generation groups
Other data source methodologies
Mintel Spark
Abbreviations
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