Computer games can help parents and grandparents bond with their children and grandchildren, according to new research.

The study commissioned by games developer PopCap Games claims that 92 per cent of casual gaming parents and grandparents say such games provide an opportunity for them to bond with their children/grandchildren.

Furthermore, 70 per cent of the parent demographic, or 2,298 respondents, said that they see educational benefits for children in games.

The greatest benefits of gameplay were identified as learning, stress relief and hand-eye coordination.

Around 60 per cent of respondents also cited learning such as pattern recognition, resource allocation and spelling.

Some 51 per cent cited mental workouts/cognitive exercise as a bonus, while 48 per cent cited memory strengthening and 37 per cent cited confidence building.

Among the 7,500 adult respondents who took part in the survey, nearly a third indicated that they had children or grandchildren under 18 who play casual games in their home.

And of these 2,298 'family gamers', 80 per cent play casual games with their children or grandchildren, while 66 per cent said they would welcome the use of such games in their children's or grandchildren's schools.

Mark Griffiths, professor of gambling studies at Nottingham Trent University, said: "Empirical research has consistently shown that, in the right context, computer and video games can have a positive educational, psychological and therapeutic benefit to a large range of different ages and sub-groups."