Research by Monopoly finds 2.3 million British children are unable to name more than 10 cities

New research from Monopoly has unveiled that UK children know more about virtual worlds and cities, found in video games and TV shows, than countries and destinations across the world. 

Whilst over half of kids have heard of Gotham (55%), Zootopia (58%) and Neverland (60%), only a quarter have heard of Shanghai (25%), Milan (28%) or Cape Town (26%). In response, Monopoly has launched Monopoly Travel World Tour, a twist on the classic game which sees properties and roads replaced with far-flung locations and experiences - in a bid to educate and excite children today about the many wonders of the world.  

To bring this to life, taking place on 11th and 12th November 2022, Monopoly is hosting an immersive travel experience for budding young adventurers and their families at London’s Noho Studios. Monopoly Travel World Tour will enable guests to explore the world – from China to Australia – without even packing a bag or boarding a plane (booking details below).  

Of parents surveyed, half (50%) stated that their child can’t name more than 10 real-world countries. Monopoly hopes to change that with the latest edition of its classic board game, which aims to help kids learn whilst they play, bringing real locations around the world to life. 

The research also found that over two-thirds of parents (67%) were concerned that their children will not have the same sense of excitement to explore the world as they did, with 96% agreeing it’s important for children’s development to learn about different countries and cultures. 

Top five cities UK kids aged 7 – 12 have never heard of: 

- Shanghai (75%) 

- Milan (72%) 

- Cairo (70%) 

- Belfast (53%) 

- Sydney (47%) 

The Monopoly Travel World Tour experience is free to attend. Families will be invited to explore the Great Barrier Reef, help to build the Great Wall of China and enjoy the festivities at Colombia’s Carnaval de Barranquilla, before finishing with the opportunity to enter a competition to win a trip to any of the destinations on the Monopoly Travel World Tour board game.  

Steve Backshall, TV Presenter, British naturalist, explorer and author, said: “There are so many incredible places to explore across our globe, and I am lucky to have visited many of them. But not everyone has this opportunity, of course. Monopoly has been teaching kids about money for decades, now it is teaching kids about the wonders of our world, with the launch of Monopoly Travel World Tour – a new must-have family game that’s both fun and educational.”

For those unable to make it to the event in London, visit www.MonopolyTravelWorldTour.co.uk to start exploring online instead. Visitors to the site will be able to board a virtual flight to China, Australia or Colombia, picking up geographical knowledge and answering questions along the way to also be in with a chance of winning the once-in-a-lifetime holiday to a boardgame destination.  

For further information and to book tickets to the Monopoly Travel World Tour immersive experience, visit www.universe.com/events/monopoly-travel-world-tours-tickets-C9PBX4, or head to www.MonopolyTravelWorldTour.co.uk for the digital experience and to enter the prize draw.