Nearly 75% of parents are worried imaginary games are waning in popularity as TVs and computer games take over play time.

The study also showed that a quarter of parents said their sons or daughters can be reluctant to play on their own and instantly turn to technology like smartphones or tablets to entertain them.

Jamie Dickinson, marketing manager at Playmobil, commented: “Imagination is such an important part of childhood, and something that as parents we all want to nurture in our children.

“However with the rise of technology there are now more options than ever for children when it comes to choosing how to spend playtime. It is sometimes hard for parents to get children to spend time away from the computer or TV screen and use their imagination to create their own world using toys like Playmobil, but it is a vital part of play.”

Dr Claire Halsey, clinical psychologist and child development and independent parenting expert, worked with Playmobil to investigate the results of the research.

Claire commented: “It’s important to remember that play is for fun. Play is the everyday ‘work’ of children and it is how they explore, learn and satisfy their own curiosity about their world. With so many positive areas of learning and development linked to play, it’s no surprise that it’s important for parents to ensure their child experiences a wide variety of play. Striking the right balance is key for children’s development in a multitude of ways, and parents play the central role in making good decisions.”