Kids reveal their dream stadium which includes slides, bouncy floors and ice cream machines

Children have revealed their dream 'stadium of the future' - including drones delivering refreshments and light-up balls.

Former Scotland and Gloucester player Rory Lawson, and current Scotland woman’s international Coreen Grant, listened as kids enthused about seeing water slides to get around stadiums - as the country has plenty of rain anyway.

It comes after a poll, of 500 children aged six to 10, found talking robots which serve drinks and slides to help you get around the arena quicker featured on the list of things they’d want to see.

Others want ice cream machines in every stand (34 per cent) and milkshake fountains (22 per cent).

It also emerged 69 per cent want grounds to be environmentally friendly - with solar panels, energy-efficient lighting and re-used rainwater as standard.

And 63 per cent would like to learn more about how sports and stadiums can do their bit to help the planet.

The results of the study, by OnePoll, were released as Scottish Gas team up with Scottish Rugby to tackle carbon emissions, with plans to decarbonise Scottish Gas Murrayfield - and create a stadium fit for the future.

The partnership is also providing rugby clubs across Scotland with access to funding to make sustainable improvements to clubhouses, reduce their carbon footprint and save on energy bills.

Former Scottish Rugby star Rory Lawson, who chatted to children about the topic during a tour of Scottish Gas Murrayfield, said: “I really enjoyed hearing all the creative ideas from the kids on what stadiums could look like. I’m not sure if we’ll see robot waiters and glow-in the dark balls any time soon, but it’s brilliant that they think sustainability should play such a major role in the future of this fantastic ground.”

Other future-tech kids would like to see brought in include stadiums that can morph their shape for different sports (22 per cent).

While one in three (32 per cent) would be interested in seats offering virtual reality, so people can feel like they’re on the pitch.

It also emerged 63 per cent of the children questioned, via OnePoll, want to learn more about how sports and stadiums can be more environmentally friendly.

Meanwhile eight in 10 youngsters try to do things in their everyday life which have a positive impact on the environment.

And while 77 per cent wish they could do more to help the planet, 65 per cent already make sure they’re on top of their recycling and 59 per cent take care never to litter.

More than half (57 per cent) have their own refillable water bottle, and 54 per cent make sure to turn off the tap while brushing their teeth.

Exactly six in 10 children have been taken to a stadium to watch a sporting match in real life, with 35 per cent of those who haven’t, up for watching a game of rugby in the future.

And 36 per cent of all kids would be more likely to want to go watch a live rugby match if the stadium was up to scratch from an eco-standpoint.

Rory Lawson added: “Sport has an amazing power to influence society and inspire positive change, so by teaming up with Scottish Gas to make one of the world’s most iconic stadiums more sustainable, we’re teaching young people how important it is to preserve the environment.

“Whether it's minimising waste, embracing sustainable materials, or reducing our carbon footprint, we can set an example now and help achieve a greener future."

WHAT KIDS WANT IN FUTURE STADIUMS:

1. Drones capturing views from the sky for spectators
2. Talking robots to serve drinks/snacks
3. Laser light shows
4. Ice cream machines in the stands
5. Seats where you can use virtual reality (VR) so you feel like you’re on the pitch/closer to the game
6. Holographic performances during breaks (a 3D picture in the air of people performing who aren’t actually there in real life)
7. Interactive play zones with virtual reality (VR) games related to the sport
8. Robot mascots
9. Glow-in-the-dark balls
10. Milkshake fountains
11. Stadiums that change shape for different sports
12. Smart uniform on players giving real time health and performance information
13. Slides to get around the stadium
14. Floating platforms
15. Bouncy trampoline floors