7 year old picked on for playing with toys

[Thorpurpuk]

My Y3 DS is apparently the only child in his class not into Roblox, Fortnite, Minecraft etc (he has a nintendo switch bought for him by grandparents but really has 0 interest in it), and nor is he interested in any type of sport (not for lack of trying on our part). Now, as well as getting picked on because he wants to read his book or play imaginary games at lunchtime instead of playing football, he is getting picked on for being a "baby" because he still plays with toys. This seemed to start because he had a playdate a couple of weeks back and the visiting child relayed back to the others in his class that DS not only has toys in his bedroom, he has a sea-themed room and has cuddly toys on his bed. And one of the other mums recently made the comment "it's so sweet he's still into toys at his age, isn't it" as if 7 was absurdly old for a CHILD to still be playing with toys!

Surely toys are perfectly age appropriate for a 7 year old? It's not like he's playing in a jumperoo, he plays with completely normal toys which IMO are appropriate for his age - lego, puzzles, marble runs, kinetic sand and so on.

It won't be reflective of the class. It will be a few of them. And many will have young bedrooms. Parents don't redecorate every 2 years. In future just panic these insecure mums by acting slightly astounded that their children have so much screen time!

In terms of Xmas present ideas:
Knex and Gravitrax are great. My 13 year old son still plays with them. He builds bookshelves etc with Knex. Gravitrax is the gift that keeps on giving. Both great investments.

My 10yo DS still has toys and teddies and no interest in Fortnite or Roblox. He does a little bit of Minecraft but it seems to be trying to catch animals as pets.

There was a subgroup in my DDs class (now 12/13) who were like your peers. They'd been read Harry Potter by 5, gaming a bit aged 6/7, watching quite grown up films, playing games rated 18 by 9/10. At 12 there's nothing left to do but hang around aimlessly. It was one dominant parent who wants her child more grown up and advanced driving it.

One thing that helps my gentle, imaginative DS is playing with girls, just in case that helps.

I think it’s quite sad that 7 year olds are not playing with toys! My 8 year old still plays with toys and even my 13 year old has some figures and some teddy’s at the end of his bed, and he’s a very mature, confident teen. This has never been raised as an issue by other children, it’s completely normal!

This is just bullying, it isn't about his duvet cover or toys. You need to speak to the school about it. The kids doing it are probably being picked on by older siblings for being "babyish".

My DS is 11, he stills plays with toys (mainly Lego) and plays imaginary games with his friends. He plays computer games too but he isn't allowed to meet up with friends online to play due to the risks.