The study, which also compares the priorities of children around the world, found Aussie kids value fitness, family and friends, while overseas youngsters want good grades and riches.

Research by Nickelodeon Australia has found that parental fears about safety and changed family structures mean children now rarely have play time out of the house that is not formally organised.

"Kids' lives are busy and fitting in so many activities is a challenge," the study, based on more than 500 focus groups and 40,000 interviews, says.

"Though much of their free time is now taken up with organised activity (after-school sport, dancing, various clubs etc), kids are yearning for more unstructured time to do their own thing."

"Most want to work and nine in 10 Aussie kids believe that the future is either really good or pretty good for young Australians," the report says.

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