Finding your funny bone: How Alexa helps Australian parents get silly with their kids

New research shows nine in 10 parents struggle to find time for play, but a new Alexa voice experience can now spark family fun amongst busy schedules. Amid piles of laundry, meal prep, and the daily school run, playful moments can feel like a luxury for many parents.

New research commissioned by Amazon Alexa reveals that while 81% of Australian parents feel more connected to their kids when being silly together, nearly half (47%) sometimes feel like they've forgotten how to be playful under the weight of adult responsibilities.

To bridge this 'playtime paradox'; Amazon has launched Alexa, "Let's Get Silly" a new experience designed to help parents and carers rediscover their playful side with just a simple voice command.

The research findings paint a clear picture of modern parenting challenges. Household chores prevent almost three quarters of parents (71%) from engaging in more play with their children, followed by work commitments (59%), mental drain (48%), and lack of time (48%).

Perhaps more concerning is that 80% of Australian parents feel guilty about not having enough playtime with their children, while 62% report feeling less playful compared to when they were younger.

"These findings didn't surprise me" says parenting educator Gen Muir, who has partnered with Amazon Alexa for this initiative. "Parenting today is tough. From my experience, humour, laughter and being silly are among the most underrated parenting strategies."

Four ways to get silly with Alexa

The new "Alexa, Let's Get Silly" experience offers four interactive activities that deliver science-backed

benefits of play, including strengthening family bonds, boosting kids moods, safeguarding long-term mental health, and lowering stress for everyone involved:

• Silly Dance Party – Alexa remixes favourite tracks so families can bust moves together or engage in dance battles
• Silly Tricks – From funny voices to zany impressions and animal sounds, Alexa's party tricks aim to generate family laughter
• Silly Sound Quiz – A listening game that challenges family members to identify unusual sounds
• Silly Farts – A crowd-pleaser featuring various musical styles given the ultimate flatulent treatment.

What makes this feature particularly valuable for busy parents is that it can be activated during routine tasks like preparing school lunches or cooking dinner – turning mundane moments into opportunities for connection.

Simplifying play for overwhelmed parents

With two in five parents (40%) feeling overwhelmed by advice on how they should engage in play with their children, Muir encourages a simpler approach.

"Parents don’t need another tip. They need tools that actually help in the moment.” says Muir. “Parents know the power of play and silliness, they’ve seen it work, but when you are time poor and the kids all want dinner immediately it can be hard to think of these ideas on the spot”

Muir recommends embracing "micro-moments" of play throughout the day, integrating silliness into routine tasks, following your child's lead regarding what makes them laugh, lowering expectations about being the "perfect" playful parent, and prioritizing connection over perfection.

“We often underestimate how powerful play is,” Muir adds. “It’s not just how kids learn – it’s how they connect, regulate and thrive. And when we join them in that world, we strengthen the bond that makes everything else easier.”

For the 51% of parents who admit to feeling stumped for silly things to do or say, "Alexa, Let's Get Silly" offers a solution that doesn't feel like another task on the to-do list.

Ready to rediscover your silly side? Simply say, "Alexa, Let's Get Silly" to any Amazon Echo device. Because sometimes the most meaningful family moments begin with a simple giggle.

The "Alexa, Let's Get Silly" experience is available for Australian customers from today on all Amazon Echo devices including the Echo Show 15, Echo Show 10, Echo Show 8 and more.