They go to classes three times a week. They can sing, dance and play musical instruments. And they have computer skills that turn their family green with envy.

Far from being lazy couch potatoes, new research from CBBC Xchange reveals that today's youngsters are leaving their parents standing when it comes to ability and skills. Nearly half of UK children have more hobbies and interests than their parents and 74 per cent have better computer skills.

Children are attending an average of two scheduled activities a week, with one in ten doing over four activities a week. Swimming comes top of the poll for extra curricular activities, 59 per cent of 7-12 year olds swim, over a third play football, 14 per cent roller-blade and over one in ten sing and dance. Musical instruments ranging from the recorder to the harmonica are also played by 43 per cent of children.

Encouraging their offspring to broaden their horizons is definitely paying off, as 66 per cent of parents say their children are more confident than they were in their day.

Building a website is second nature to one in seven children and the Internet is proving to be a big help with education, as 79 per cent of children are using computers to research information to help with their schoolwork. Interestingly, 58 per cent of parents who work full time think their children's computer skills are better than theirs.

Parents obviously believe the investment in activities is worthwhile as the average spend per child is almost £400 per year. Over one in ten (11 per cent) parents spends an average of £806 a year on their child's hobbies, with a third (33 per cent) spending £380 annually.

The poll reveals an image of Britain's cupboards and lofts bulging with unwanted sports gear as almost two thirds of parents questioned said their children tended to get bored with a new sport within a few weeks and try something new.

Frank Flynn, Controller of Children's Education, BBC said: "It's a popular myth that today's generation of children are couch potatoes and it's really encouraging to see that they are actually dynamos of multi-tasking talent!".

The Xchange site - for 7-12 year olds - is a joint initiative from CBBC and BBC Children's Education, and offers a fresh approach to entertaining children while they learn. Reassuringly safe and secure, Xchange marries education and entertainment and does not carry any commercial sponsorship or advertising. The site runs alongside the returning television series of the same title that children can tune into every weekday morning at 9.30am throughout the summer holidays on BBC ONE.