- Working with Ben’s Original™, Parenting Expert Sue Atkins reveals how simple, everyday activities – from helping prepare dinner to getting creative around the table – can help build children’s confidence and emotional wellbeing.
- The findings come as Ben’s Original™ partners with BBC Children in Need(Opens a new window), pledging £200,000 to support children and young people facing challenges across the UK.
- Renowned dancer, TV personality and Creative Founder of Diversity Studio, Ashley Banjo joins young people at the BBC Children in Need-funded Devas Club for a hands-on "Do Something Great with Every Plate" workshop, showing that creativity doesn’t have to be complicated.
LONDON, UK (5 November 2026) – More than half of parents (56%) say their child avoids creative activities for fear of “getting it wrong," according to new research from Ben’s Original™.
Meanwhile, a whopping 84% believe youth today are under more pressure than ever, noting that seeing "perfect" creations on social media (47%) and comparing themselves to siblings (42%) weigh heavily on young people.
Three-quarters (75%) of parents also worry that their child doesn’t have the time to be creative amidst screen time (49%), homework (47%) and busy daily routines (29%).
And whilst 41% of parents are keen to enjoy creative activities with their children, everyday roadblocks like work commitments (62%), tiredness (50%) and chores (40%) often get in the way.
Cooking the evening meal proves a particular challenge (39%), but simple mealtime solutions like Ben’s Original™ microwave rice packs can help take some of the pressure off, leaving families more time to connect and be creative together.
Childhood & Parenting Expert, Author and Founder of Together at the Table™, Sue Atkins says making room for this doesn’t have to mean finding extra hours in the day – it’s about making the most of the moments households already share.
“Creativity doesn’t have to mean expensive toys, elaborate activities or hours spent making things. Some of the loveliest opportunities for children to use their imaginations happen in everyday moments – helping prepare dinner, inventing stories or simply chatting around the table.
“When children are invited to join in, experiment and have fun without worrying about getting things right, they’re building confidence, curiosity and connection.”
These findings arrive as the brand pledges £200,000 to BBC Children in Need as part of its wider “Do Something Great with Every Plate” campaign. In the lead-up to the iconic live show on 13 November, Ben’s Original™ is turning the humble dinner plate into a powerful canvas to support children and young people facing challenges across the UK, including raising awareness for the 2 million children experiencing food insecurity*. At a time when BBC Children in Need can only afford to fund 1 in 6 organizations that ask for help, leaving half a million children without support when they need it most, partnerships like this help raise vital funds so the charity can help even more children.
To bring this to life, celebrity star Ashley Banjo hosted the "Do Something Great with Every Plate" workshop with Ben’s Original™ at the BBC Children in Need-funded Devas Club(Opens a new window) – a historic London community hub supporting local young people.
The event empowered kids to unleash their creativity by painting custom designs onto dinner plates, followed by a DIY dinner with special guest, Pudsey Bear.
Renowned dancer and TV personality Ashley Banjo says:
“As a dancer, you quickly learn that you’re not going to get every move right first time. You have to give it a go, get things wrong and keep going - that’s all part of the fun. It’s the same with kids. Whether they’re dancing, drawing or helping in the kitchen, they shouldn’t feel everything has to be perfect. I want my own kids to feel confident trying things their own way, making a mess and enjoying the process.
“I loved seeing the kids at the youth club this week. Seeing them lose themselves in creativity then sit down for a meal together. It was a reminder of why spaces and wider initiatives like this are so important in local communities."
To celebrate the joy of family cooking and benefits of shared meals around the table, Ben’s Original™ is also launching limited edition “Pudsey Packs” across seven of their bestselling microwave rice pouches – including Golden Vegetable, Basmati and Spicy Mexican – in support of BBC Children in Need. These are available in major supermarkets across the UK whilst stocks last.
For more information on the partnership, visit Ben's Original™ - BBC Children in Need(Opens a new window) or scan the QR codes available on packs in store. To donate and support its mission in tackling poverty and food insecurity across the UK, visit Just Giving(Opens a new window).
* BBC Children in Need data, as of August 2026.
In 2026, Mars Food UK Limited is donating £200,000 to Children in Need (registered charity number 802052 in England & Wales and SC039557 in Scotland).
Research Methodology: The survey was conducted by Clariti on behalf of Ben’s Original™ between 2nd-12th October 2026. All datapoints included adhere to the MRS Code of Conduct based on the ESOMAR principles. The study polled 2,000 UK parents who currently have at least one child aged between 5-13.
About BBC Children in Need
BBC Children in Need believe every child and young person deserves the opportunity to thrive and be the best they can be.
BBC Children in Need’s ambition is to create lasting, positive change across the UK for the children and young people who need it most. Together with the BBC and partners, BBC Children in Need aim to inspire the nation in support of their work.
BBC Children in Need’s 1,500 local charities and projects work tirelessly in every corner of the UK to help children & young people overcome the additional challenges they currently face, including supporting children and young people living in poverty, providing emergency support to families in crisis, providing comfort to children feeling sad, lost and alone, helping children overcome social injustice and supporting children to feel safe and secure again.
Further information on BBC Children in Need can be found at www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk.
About Mars Food & Nutrition
Mars Food & Nutrition is a segment of Mars, Incorporated, with over 2,000 Associates across the globe. It has some of the world’s leading food brands: Ben’s Original™, Kevin’s Natural Foods, MasterFoods®, SEEDS OF CHANGE®, Tasty Bite®, and DOLMIO® enjoyed in more than 30 markets around the world.
