Mums And Dads Are Children’s Superheroes, Poll Finds

Forget Superman and Spiderman, mums and dads are children’s real-life superheroes, according to a poll.

It suggests that “superpowers”, such as being able to talk to Father Christmas and the Tooth Fairy, and knowing what children are up to without seeing them, leave youngsters in awe of their parents’ abilities.

The survey asked around 1,000 UK four to six-year-olds to pick their real-life superheroes from a given list.

The most popular answer was mum, chosen by half of those polled (50%), followed closely by dad at 44%.

The third most popular answer was grandma, with 8%.

Wavebreakmedia via Getty Images

Children’s real life superheroes:
Mum (50%)
Dad (44%)
Grandma (8%)

Asked about the powers the grown-ups in their life have, two in five (41%) agreed that being able to talk to figures like Father Christmas and the Tooth Fairy is a superpower, while nearly a third (31%) cited the ability to “see me even when they’re not looking at me”.

A similar proportion said being able to hear a child even when they are whispering is a superpower (30%).

The poll, commissioned to mark the launch of Superzings – Rivals of Kaboom, a children’s toy collectible range, also shows that more than half (52%) of children agreed that firefighters have a real-life superhero job, while 45% said police officers and 43% said doctors.

Real-life superhero jobs:
Firefighter (52%)
Police officer (45%)
Doctor (43%)

When it comes to the powers they would like for themselves, children would most like to be able to fly (41%), the survey found, with invisibility and the ability to run “superfast” second on 26% each.

Ben Harper, director of Magic Box Toys, said: “Given the daily heroics of our emergency services, it’s fitting that children see them as real-life heroes.

“It’s a particular thrill to see how highly mums, dads and teachers are regarded by their children too.”

The ‘Research without Barriers’ online poll questioned 1,030 four to six-year-olds from January 12-16.

Before You Go

Yes, You CAN Make A Family Walk Fun

Don't say 'who wants to go for a walk?'(01 of08)

Reframe a walk so it's enticing and exciting using words like explore, play, adventure.Who wants to climb a castle or who wants to find some treasure or skim stones? (credit:Alexander Nicholson via Getty Images)

Don't plod in a straight line - and back again.(02 of08)

Choose a wiggly walk and terrain made for adventuring. "It's all about keeping children's minds off putting one foot in front of another," says Clare Lewis. (credit:Stephen Lux via Getty Images)

Always have an appealing destination - and make pit-stops along the way.(03 of08)

It could be a café with their favourite hot chocolate or their 'secret' place like a climbing tree. Make regular stops to admire natural curiosities, make a den, whittle a stick or play in water or whatever you fancy. Encourage your kids to take photos. Clare Lewis's family always take 'scroggin'; a New Zealand name for a hikers' mix of nuts and seeds, dried fruit and chocolate to keep energy levels up. (credit:ArtMarie via Getty Images)

Join forces with another family or get the kids to bring their friends.(04 of08)

Children love the sociability of a walk and bringing friends increases their activity as they challenge each other to jump the highest or widest, splash in puddles, climb trees or find the best stick. (credit:Alistair Berg via Getty Images)

Walk together in a chatty clod, not a single line with you barking 'come on, keep up'(05 of08)

There may be times you have to walk in a line, but take turns with who's the leader. Also, let your children choose the route (within reason!). (credit:Bounce via Getty Images)

Play games as you go.(06 of08)

Hide-and-seek, capture the flag or ambushes - sending kids on ahead so they can jump out on you - are all favourites. Bring a ball or a Frisbee to play with too. (credit:JLPH via Getty Images)

Turn your walk into a treasure hunt. Or an obstacle course.(07 of08)

Children love places to clamber over like a rocky beach or challenges like climbing trees or jumping over streams. Challenge children to touch that tree and run back, hopscotch between the pavement cracks or run along the low wall. "You could go on a shape walk, finding stones, shells and leaves that are all the same shape," suggests Clare Lewis, co-author of Adventure Walks for Families in and Around London. (credit:Imgorthand via Getty Images)

End on a high.(08 of08)

Match a walk to your kids' ages. You don't want want to leave them exhausted. Talk up what fun you had, so next time you suggest an adventure walk they leap at the chance. (credit:ArtMarie via Getty Images)