Nicole Kidman's ideal day would involve a ''long, leisurely breakfast'' and time on the beach.

The 48-year-old actress said there's nothing better than enjoying a relaxed and peaceful start to the day, and later heading to the seaside.

She said: ''I love breakfast; it's my favourite meal. So a long leisurely breakfast is just beautiful to me. I'd read the papers and go for a swim.

''If I was in Sydney, I love the beach. Even though I'm incredibly pale, I put on these terribly long unattractive rashies, and people laugh at me. My kids laugh at me. But that's what I would do.''

Meanwhile, the actress also revealed she loves playing with her kids - seven-year-old Sunday and four-year-old Faith - because it ''brings back the child'' in her.

Asked how she spends her free time, she said: ''With an hour free, it depends. I love getting down on the floor and playing with my kids. I read an article that says it's so important to actually get down on their level and play with them for an hour a day. So I do that, and I love that. It brings back the child in me.''