IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

It’s Bozology 101: Clowns scare kids

Bad news for Coco and Blinko —  children don't like clowns and even older kids are scared of them, according to a  hospital study.
Image: XXII International Clown Convention
Maybe that's why Jobito Globitos (shown here at the XXII International Clown Convention in Mexico City in October) is tearing his hair out: Researchers have found that clowns scare the Globitos out of kids.Mario Guzman / EPA file
/ Source: Reuters

Bad news for Coco and Blinko — children don't like clowns, and even older kids are scared of them.

That's the finding of a poll of youngsters by researchers from the University of Sheffield who were examining how to improve the decor of hospital children's wards.

The study, reported in the Nursing Standard magazine, found all the 250 patients aged between 4 and 16 they quizzed disliked the use of clowns, with even the older ones finding them scary.

"As adults we make assumptions about what works for children," said Penny Curtis, a senior lecturer in research at the university.

"We found that clowns are universally disliked by children. Some found them quite frightening and unknowable."