Seattle - Over 50 million U.S. adults play family-friendly casual online games with their children or grandchildren, and over 90% believe such games provide an opportunity to bond with or better relate to kids, according to a survey conducted by Information Solutions Group on behalf of casual games publisher PopCap Games.

The survey of nearly 7,500 adults found that nearly a third (2,298) said their children or grandchildren play casual games, with 80% of these "family gamers" reporting that they play together with the kids.

Seventy-nine percent of family gamers were female, and 95% were 30 or older; the average age of the children referenced by parents or grandparents was 10.2 years old.

While 70% of family gamers said they see casual games as providing valuable educational benefits -- with 47% observing an increase in their child's level of interest or understanding of spelling, reading, vocabulary or history -- just 28% of this group reported allowing their children or grandchildren to play "hardcore" video games.

"Casual games span generations and genders in ways that traditional 'hardcore' video games never have," said psychologist Dr. Carl Arinoldo, author of Essentials of Smart Parenting.

"This universal appeal, and the 'G-rated' content of the games, makes them a great activity in which the whole family can participate, with each generation enjoying the games in different ways while also enjoying the interaction with other family members."

Related Links:
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http://www.infosolutionsgroup.com

http://www.popcap.com