At what age could your baby / toddler entertain themselves for 30 minutes?

[Doonut84]

Really struggling with almost 10 month old. Moans constantly when we are in the house, doesn’t want to be put down but doesn’t want to be held either!
I struggle to get anything done eg house work or getting myself ready.

At what age could your child entertain themselves for 20/30 minutes so you could get ready or do a quick job?

Just to clarify, I don’t want to leave her unsupervised! I just want her to be able to sit & play in the same room as me while I get ready or do a job

Have you got a jumperoo?
I loved mine when DS was crawling - you're not meant to use them for too long (bad for hips) but I used to use mine for 20 mins in the morning (quick tidy, get stuff ready to leave the house) and 20 mins in the afternoon (drink hot tea, start cooking dinner).

From birth, if you leave them be. Sometimes sitting alongside enough, commenting if needed. Independent play so fantastic for them- and you! Not too late to foster it!

My 16 month old will potter around happily for about 15 mins by himself especially if he's busy posting all his toys somewhere inappropriate. But not for half an hour.

I think he got better when he learnt to walk, as he could take himself off and do more things of interest to him.

My 2 year old can. He certainly couldn’t at 10 months. Roughly 10 months at 10 months not 30.
I have to say I insist on teaching mine to play alone. I play a lot with them and then I enforce ‘play by yourself’. I am slightly shocked that an 8 year cant do it. My 7 year old can easily entertain himself for a couple of hours with toys and books (and no screens).

My 9yo... any day now 🤞🤞

Dd could from an early age out of necessity as I am a single mum and can’t always entertain her or I’d never shower or tidy. She prefers me playing with her, but will happily entertain herself for 45 mins or so if needed.

She’s 2.4 now.

All three of mine from about the time they could sit unaided and walking. My oldest two are upstairs drawing and playing on the PS4 and my three year old is sat in the same room as me playing with her toys whilst I catch up on my programmes lol.

2 years old was a dream age for us as he finally seemed contented. He would play for 10-15 minutes on his own and I could finally drink a coffee.

Took a lot of time saying "no you play, mummy is busy right now". Felt guilty at first but then I thought for heaven sake my mum said it to me all the time and it was fine! I needed to get over myself and remember I was not my child's sole entertainer. Now he plays happily whilst I watch which is great.

My 14 month old was very similar at 10 months. Now, I can pretty much leave him to bimble for 20 mins or so - as long as I don’t restrict him to one room! And provided I am content that: many objects will be transported; ‘his’ kitchen cupboard full of Tupperware and other non lethal items will be emptied; he may walk around with a tea towel like a little cloak which hovers uncomfortably close to being something wrapped around his neck; he may choose that moment to try out new found climbing skills; he may ‘help’ me hang out clothes. Basically I can get through hanging out clothes or a small load of washing up. It’s miles better than it was though so I’m happy. I also can’t sweep or hoover, as he needs to help with that and honestly, the boy’s got no sweeping technique.

My 15 month does x

They are all different plus you have to factor in what they used to on a daily basis as well. Ds nearly one was born to a single mummy with two other children. Hes used to entertaining himself and has had to be flexible. He does his thing I do what I need to do he used to it.

About 18 months for mine, but it was hard to predict when it would be! So, if something caught her imagination she'd happily play and I could get on with something, but there was no guarantee of it! Now, at 3 yrs, it's much more predictable so a lot easier to get things done.

I find if she's tired her attention span isn't as good so she's much more likely to want to follow me round.

My 7 month old can, but DS1 not until he was about 3 or so. And never in the same room. In fact it's only in the last year or so (age 9/10) he's been capable of occupying himself quietly in a room with other people without badgering them for attention. (He does have ADHD though).

FWIW I haven't done anything different with the baby - he's just always liked to do his own thing. Very strange but very wonderful :)

Mine have done it from quite young, but possibly because we often left them to play without us (as in with us watching) so they didn't get used to always playing with somebody. Then we had DS when DD was 13 months, so they had each other to keep themselves occupied.

I'd say from 2 or so reliably and now they'll play for hours without us (at almost-6 and almost-5). Sometimes without falling out (at which point we do interject!).

30 minutes is a hugely long time for a child to entertain themselves. Hugely! My oldest is only almost 6 and he can go about 5-10 mins.

My one year old will happily potter around in the same room as me while I do a job. It’s obviously not quite as quick as doing it solo as I pause when she comes to hand me things or to stop her eating things.

My 20 month old can for maybe 20 minutes if i put him in his playroom but then he gets bored, useful for baths, general tidying, a cuppa. Sometimes i can get 2 x 20 mins out of him plus his 1.5 hour nap and i’m suddenly a part time parent

This is why cbeebies was invented!!

No chance at 10 months, my 5 year old still can't, my 2 year old can play independently for hours if she feels like it!

My 4 year old can, sometimes. My 2 year old very very occasionally when he is lining up cars and trains.

Thirty minutes?!! My almost four year old can’t manage that long unless he is doing something he shouldn’t!

About 4-5 years, but only sometimes, not reliably. Dc are 6 and 7 now and can occupy themselves now if told to.

At 10 months I put them in a sling if I needed to get on with things.