can your 5yo play alone for a long period of time?

[IamAporcupine]

and if so, what with?!

my DS(5) can entertain himself with Lego and jigsaws for quite a while but I think that's it. He definitely prefers to play with me/DH.

I need to work from home today/tomorrow and it is not happening!

What works for your DC?

[handsfree]

Tv!

[Oddsocksforeveryone]

Yes, with almost anything. BUT often when left to his own devices for too long he gets up to mischief, not always intentional mischief though sometimes he just doesn't think things through, he's only 5 after all.
Paper and pencils
Craft items- day before yesterday he used tape, scissors, felt, paper, pencils, and cardboard boxes/yoghurt pots etc to make a house for Optimus Prime, it had a carrot farm and portal and things.
Dinosaurs
Cars
I pad
Do you have a garden?

[HorridHenrietta5]

He can, he likes small world play type things, houses, animals, vehicles, mini figures etc.
He also likes sand and water play and generally anything that makes a mess.
Generally though if I want him to play alone o have to be quite firm about it because he would much rather have me involved in his play.

[KatyN]

Water? Stones? That keeps mine occupied for hours.
However he's just had a week of uninterrupted attention from two grandparents and an aunty so I reckon he'll play alone for a max 30 seconds this weekend!

[ShelaghTurner]

Yes my 5yo can when the mood takes her. But it can be anything and everything, depends on how she feels. Yet at other times she clings to my leg all day

[IamAporcupine]

oh wow, thank you all

[TheConstantCakeEater]

He can but prefers not to. hope you got some work done.

[Believeitornot]

How long for? I think you're being unfair to try and work and expect him to leave you be.

[IamAporcupine]

believeitornot I do not expect him to leave me be, I was curious to know how other 5yo play
and looking for suggestions

I also wonder if it also depends on whether or not the parents work?

[Oddsocksforeveryone]

@Iamaporcupine I don't work, my husband does and I'm at home with the dc. My 5 year old is washing up the baby's bottles in the sink (wearing a hulk suit) I didn't ask him to, he asked to have a turn. Sometimes I think they like to get involved in what you're doing.
If all else fails get a packet of digestives, some cupcakes, icing and sprinkles and let him decorate you some snacks if you have table space. Or if you have an old roll of wallpaper unroll some on the floor and let him draw on it. Mine love a massive piece of paper. Good luck today

[Millybingbong]

Mine can for a limited time. I have to be reasonably firm that she needs to work by herself though. especially when I am having a sleep on the sofa

It is really nice to see a thread when you aren't getting slated for having the temerity to do something other than 100% focus on dc

[BecksHwith3]

One of mine can, and one can't. Lego is great if they get stuck into it. Colouring, drawing etc too. Good luck

[WhenTheDragonsCame]

I find with my 6 year old that she can entertain herself for hours when I have nothing particularly important to do. The moment I sit down to work on an assessment she will not leave me alone!

[HorridHenrietta5]

Interesting Dragons, my ds is the opposite of this, reasonably cooperative when he can see that I have jobs to do but I can forget about ever being able to relax at home, no jobs = undivided ds attention in his eyes

[waterrat]

I work but not when my 5 year old is there ! Are you asking if adults fry to work while their kids are there? I don't think that's normal. My 5 year old likes little figures small world type stuff but if I absolutely had to work with him there is put the tv on

Or ..playdoh sometimes works for an hour or so