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Original poster

Smallish item to keep 6year old occupied at the table

59 replies

OMGitsnotgood · 03/09/2024 07:37

I'm meeting up with a friend for lunch at the weekend. She is now looking after her grandson, and suggested cancelling, she's worried be won't sit still for long enough, but it's taken ages to find a date, I'm happy to go ahead.

I don't buy him birthday or Christmas presents, so tend to get a little something around the £5 mark when I see him (any more would embarrass my friend I think).

When he was younger, I bought him one of those water pen books (a perfect MN suggestion), I've also taken colouring books & pencils, sticker books, and last year a mosaic sticker book. Obviously I could repeat with older versions but as I'm not 'up' on what's out there, thought I'd ask on here in case there is anything different.
Needs to be something he can do relatively independently in a small space, and preferably not in lots of pieces.
Thank you

OP posts:
Flangeosaurus · 03/09/2024 07:40

I was going to suggest a small Lego set but maybe not if you don’t want pieces! My DS is 7 and loves a small notebook, bonus points if you can get one of those pens which has different colours in one pen. Stickers or stamps are always well received as well

JC12345 · 03/09/2024 07:45

Dot to dot books and word searches have gone down well with our boys.

Original poster
OMGitsnotgood · 03/09/2024 07:46

Oh I used to find those pens magical when I was a child, didn't know they'd made a come back, might get one for myself ha ha. Good suggestions thanks.

OP posts:

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llamajohn · 03/09/2024 07:47

I think it's absolutely fine to give him a colouring book or similar activity book!

Or how about a scratch foil pad?

redskydarknight · 03/09/2024 07:47

I agree with PP that Lego might be better (although it would be pieces).
My DS at 6 would not have been interested in craft type things or colouring at all.
Basically if your friend is worried he won't sit still, then he probably won't. or at least he will take up so much of your friend's attention that you won't get a proper catch up.

I think you would be better to have your lunch somewhere with a play area where he can run around or just arrange to meet in a child friendly place (your friend's house or an indoor or outdoor playground), so you can catch up while he has stuff to do.

girlwhowearsglasses · 03/09/2024 07:51

I used to have a bag of clockwork animals for mine when they were small.

LamasPyjama · 03/09/2024 07:53

In the back of my car I keep one of those games where there is water inside and you press the buttons and get the hoops on the nose of the swordfish.

Haroldwilson · 03/09/2024 08:02

A magazine might work, about Lego or whatever. Bring a pen and the puzzles will keep him busy for a while. £5 or £6.

Original poster
OMGitsnotgood · 03/09/2024 08:19

LamasPyjama · 03/09/2024 07:53

In the back of my car I keep one of those games where there is water inside and you press the buttons and get the hoops on the nose of the swordfish.

Love the sound of this, any idea where I can get them from? Or does anyone know what they are called so I can Google?

OP posts:
llamajohn · 03/09/2024 08:20

Any toy shop will have them just Google hand held water games

BirdFeederFun · 03/09/2024 08:22

Hmm if she's already expressing fears and wanted to cancel maybe she what she suggests instead.

If she wa looking after her grandson maybe go with her to the park (and cafe?) or farm or whatever she'd have done with the grandson and enjoy the day. He's not going to want to sit for hours and she probably wotn want her day with her grandson to be mainly making him sit still.

Original poster
OMGitsnotgood · 03/09/2024 08:25

@redskydarknight we meet up half way between where we both live, hence meeting somewhere rather than at one of our homes. He's perfectly capable of sitting at the table for an hour or so, it's more that my friend worries about it if he's not perfectly behaved which any self respecting 6 year old isn't! She was the same with her own children. Am happy to help entertain him. Friend and I speak regularly so it's not like we need undivided airtime.

OP posts:
parietal · 03/09/2024 08:26

I got mosaic sticker books for my kids for a flight around that age. About 1000 stickers keeps a kid busy for a long time

CuteOrangeElephant · 03/09/2024 08:26

My DD loves a smart games (that's the brand). A little bit above the budget, but very worthwhile. Her favourite is the one with the stars.

Original poster
OMGitsnotgood · 03/09/2024 08:28

@BirdFeederFun we aren't going to sit for hours - but we do need to eat, an hour tops. We usually do go to a play park as well if the weather is ok. Friend doesn't want to cancel - but I know she gets embarrassed if her GS is anything other than perfectly behaved. She was the same with her own children. He's usually quite good, it's her issue not his.

OP posts:
thursday22august · 03/09/2024 08:29

A travel activity pack from The Works - they make a blue one too

www.theworks.co.uk/p/activity-toys/playworks-kids-travel-activity-pack-pink/10011752.html

BirdFeederFun · 03/09/2024 08:29

Hmm I still think the sticker book suggestions are missing that the friend who has the grandson staying was reluctant to meet and wanted to cancel.

If it's half way between you there must be somewhere fun/with a play area for example so it can be a fun day out for the 6 year old too?

It may well be she doesn't want to say to the mum "ah yes we sat in a car and sat still at a table while I met my friend" and would rather do something a 6 year old would like. It's different to bringing a baby out with you.

mitogoshi · 03/09/2024 08:33

My local charity shop carries a range of new toys and crafts in the £1-2 bracket eg scratch foil, rock painting, cross stitch, small fake Lego sets etc - definitely an option if your local one does

YourSpryWriter · 03/09/2024 08:37

I give my son a pot of play dough to play with and that seems to do the trick.

Original poster
OMGitsnotgood · 03/09/2024 08:39

BirdFeederFun · 03/09/2024 08:29

Hmm I still think the sticker book suggestions are missing that the friend who has the grandson staying was reluctant to meet and wanted to cancel.

If it's half way between you there must be somewhere fun/with a play area for example so it can be a fun day out for the 6 year old too?

It may well be she doesn't want to say to the mum "ah yes we sat in a car and sat still at a table while I met my friend" and would rather do something a 6 year old would like. It's different to bringing a baby out with you.

You are over thinking this honestly.: I have known this friend since we were children, and if she wanted to cancel, she would. I've been friends with her throughout our child rearing years. This is more about her anxieties than the child's behaviour. Whatever else we do we need to eat, We're talking about being at a table for an hour or so.

OP posts:
Original poster
OMGitsnotgood · 03/09/2024 08:40

mitogoshi · 03/09/2024 08:33

My local charity shop carries a range of new toys and crafts in the £1-2 bracket eg scratch foil, rock painting, cross stitch, small fake Lego sets etc - definitely an option if your local one does

Will take a look, thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
OMGitsnotgood · 03/09/2024 08:40

YourSpryWriter · 03/09/2024 08:37

I give my son a pot of play dough to play with and that seems to do the trick.

That's a good idea too. Am favouring the water toy idea at the moment but have lots of back up ideas too.

OP posts:
BirdFeederFun · 03/09/2024 08:45

Not really overthinking it just thinking what I'd have wanted to do with mine when they were 6! Meals were usually done in 20mins then onto playing or running around.

If the main thing is to see her why sit at a table for "an hour or so" and not ask her what the 6 year old would like to do and meet at somewhere with a playarea/similar.

Honestly it seems obvious to just compromise a bit and do somehing fun and stop for a bit for a sandwich. You've said you do catching up regularly anyway.

If she's anxious about it then don't minimise it - find a work around or it won't be very fun for her anyway.