BRITS have revealed the things they miss most about being a child - including the excitement of hearing the ice cream van, the long school holidays, and the thrill of getting a new toy.

       A poll of 2,000 adults found 55 per cent would like to be able to relive their childhood, with the 60s, 70s, and 80s seen as the best decades to have been a kid.

       2

       Parents are desperate to keep the magic of childhood alive Credit: Getty

       Not having to worry about money came out at the top of the list, while not having to work and building sandcastles ranked highly in the top 50.

       Family holidays and watching cartoons on a Saturday morning also featured.

       The research was commissioned by learning and tech brand Osmo, who partnered with sand sculpture experts, Sand In Your Eye, to bring children’s drawings to life in three giant sandcastles on Weston-super-Mare beach.

       Having your holidays paid for, getting money for losing a tooth and always having energy were other things adults miss about being a child.

       While 67 per cent said trips to the beach were some of their fondest childhood memories.

       Adults reckon seven years old is the most magical age of childhood – and you start to lose the sparkle from 10 years old onwards.

       Most read in The Sun

       'BLOW-UP' John Fury says he WALKED OUT of Tommy's training camp weeks before American debut

       RATE OF KNOTS Millions have silent killer but don't know it - 8 signs you should see the GP

       Exclusive

       PRICE THEFT RIDDLE Katie Price's ￡50k engagement ring from Carl Woods 'taken in assault'

       CAR-NAGE Ricky Gervais fumes 'they rescued a f***ing car?' at shocking Afgan airlift pic

       SUPER VAN Bloke goes viral after showing off his van - and you won't believe what's inside

       NEW LOOK EastEnders' Clair Norris unrecognisable from Bernie in glam selfie with boyfriend

       However, more than half like to maintain a childlike attitude in some aspects of their life – because it’s fun, it helps them see things from another perspective as well as keeping them curious and honest.

       Respondents no doubt looked to do this because 65 per cent no longer use their creative thinking and imagination to navigate life – sticking purely to logic instead.

       It also emerged that of the 65 per cent of respondents who have their own children, 84 per cent allow their kids to live as child-like a life as possible to keep the magic alive.

       Playing games with them, encouraging them to ask questions and getting them to explore the outdoors were some of the top ways parents tried to keep their kids in a childlike mentality.

       BETTER DAYS

       Interestingly, six in 10 reckon their childhood was better than the kids of today – because they spent more time outdoors, felt the world was safer for youngsters and they had more trust from their parents.

       A spokesman for Osmo, added: “Children are naturally creative and love to explore their imagination – we strongly believe these traits should be fostered and celebrated.

       “And the summer holidays draw to a close, we wanted to make some extra special memories by bringing imaginations to life in an even bigger way than usual.

       “Exploration during early years is key to a child’s development and we wanted to demonstrate that encouraging this through real life activities or virtual resources is extremely important and can be done in really fun and simple ways such as a beach visit.”

       TOP 50 THINGS ADULTS MISS ABOUT BEING A CHILD

       1. Not worrying about money

       2. Having long school holidays

       3. The magical feeling of Christmas

       4. Always having energy

       5. Not paying any bills

       6. Not having to work

       7. Not having aches and pains

       8. Being really excited about birthdays

       9. Believing in Father Christmas

       10. Family holidays

       11. Getting loads of presents at Christmas

       12. The excitement of going to the beach

       13. Sleeping soundly

       14. The thrill of getting a new toy

       15. The excitement of hearing the ice-cream van

       16. Making dens

       17. Having no fear

       18. Having holidays paid for

       19. Getting money from the tooth fairy after losing a tooth

       20. Using your imagination freely

       21. Going to birthday parties

       22. Someone doing your laundry

       23. Being free to climb trees

       24. Watching cartoons on Saturday morning

       25. Playing games whenever and for however long you wanted

       26. Having a great imagination

       27. School trips

       28. Watching TV as soon as you got in from school

       29. Being friends with everyone

       30. Everything being new

       31. Being able to fall asleep comfortably anywhere

       32. Building sandcastles

       33. Playing with your siblings

       34. Being the first one to see the sea on a trip to the beach

       35. Getting clothes bought for you

       36. Feeding ducks in the park

       37. Building things

       38. Jumping in puddles

       39. Not having to shave every day

       40. Water fights

       41. Sleepovers

       42. Using an empty box to create countless games

       43. Being excited by public transport

       44. Swapping stickers with friends

       45. Asking any questions you like, to anyone you want

       46. Not knowing what a hangover is

       47. Being carried to bed by your parents

       48. Making paper airplanes

       49. Watching Gladiators on a Saturday night

       50. Dressing up anytime (not only on Halloween)

       2

       Brits admitted they miss the excitement of hearing the ice cream van coming Credit: Stone - Getty