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[00:00.40] We all know children love to play with toys.

[00:03.05] But as they approach adulthood, they stop being playful and concentrate on grown-up things – or so we believe.

[00:12.36] However, in recent times at least, adults are revisiting their childhood and buying toys for themselves – and they've been given the nickname 'kidults'.

[00:23.25] There are many reasons for the rise of the kidult, but it's certainly big business.

[00:28.56] In the USA for example, the Toy Association says that over half of adults bought toys and games for themselves last year.

[00:38.91] Nostalgia is part of the reason: people want to relive their childhood and now have the disposable income to do so.

[00:47.68] Puzzles and board games are traditional toys that can be enjoyed at any age.

[00:54.58] But there's more to being a big kid than just taking a trip down memory lane.

[00:59.90] People have more time to let their hair down and play.

[01:03.88] Hobbies such as modelling and construction with plastic bricks can help people develop skills into adulthood.

[01:11.85] And they allow people to switch off and relax.

[01:15.83] In fact, Frederique Tutt, global industry analyst at NPD, told the BBC: "I'd say much of this is providing an escape from the stresses and strains of modern-day living, fulfilling our need to find downtime."

[01:32.57] Some people are even finding comfort and camaraderie by playing with others.

[01:39.21] Although competing with others through video gaming might be nothing new, others are coming together to build train sets or sophisticated models.

[01:48.77] In Brighton in the UK, for example, Brighton Bricks is a club where adult fans of the toy Lego meet up every month to talk, play and swap collections.

[02:00.72] But those who think playing with toys is childish and immature should take note of the research by René Proyer, professor of psychology at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg in Germany.

[02:14.27] It suggests that adults who demonstrate more playful personality traits are more motivated, creative and spontaneous.

[02:23.31] So, it seems life shouldn't be all work and no play, and maybe we should take play more seriously!