The perfect formula for a child's day out

Working on behalf of Alton Towers Resort, a team of researchers fitted kids aged four-seven with special smart watches that measure a range of physiological and emotional reactions – including heart rate, skin temperature and skin conductance response – or 'goosebump reaction'.

The youngsters, a group of 11 boys and 18 girls, were taken on various routes around the park's CBeebies Land and experienced various rides in different orders.

Dr Eamon Fulcher, the author of the research and a former Imperial College London University brain scientist, said: "For the best day out, a child needs 17 minutes of excitement, eight minutes of mental stimulation, 15 minutes of relaxing activity and 20 minutes independent play, or downtime doing their own thing, every hour.

"It's obviously impossible for parents to get those exact timings, but this shows the mix of activities that give children the best, most memorable experience."

The findings are now set to feature as a case study in the Neuromarketing Science and Business Association's annual yearbook, under the title 'Perfect formula for a child's day out'.

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