To be sad my dc's don't play with toys anymore?

[edshearansmistress]

I have two ds's, 8 and 6. They are very sporty, play organised sport several times a week, and in the garden when we're at home.
If they aren't in the garden, their choice is to watch YouTube or play on their tablets, with PlayStation time allowed at the weekend. Their screen time is limited, so when it's turned off, they'll do Match Attax top trumps if they aren't outside.
If friends come over, the youngest one will get his play swords etc out, but usually just play football on the garden!
The older one occasionally does Lego, but this is rare.
Board games have never really worked out, though we have quite a few.
I just feel that they're still so YOUNG so should want to play with toys. Maybe not the 8yo, but surely the 6yo should? Given the chance they'd spend a lot more time on screens, and I think if they had other activities then they wouldn't feel that need

Am I just being unrealistic and nostalgic?!

YANBU - but its limited what you can do. Some children aren't that into pretend play.

But board games are better when they are older in my experience. I'd also limit screen time. Sport, Art, Reading etc. are all better than screens on the whole.

My two DC (8 and 5) don't really play with toys. They like games (board games, top trumps) and they both love Lego, but neither have ever played with (e.g.) Imaginext, Playmobil, train sets, dressing up/role play stuff.

I must have wasted hundreds of £ over the years trying to find The Toy that that they'd want to play with, but to no avail...

My ten year olds both still play with toys. They didn’t get tablets until
year though so aren’t so wedded to screens.

I do limit screen time. We have a pool table in the shed, so they play that. The eldest one enjoys arty activities a bit, the youngest one not so much. They both read every day, but only the 8yo will read for pleasure, and only at bedtime.
Very occasionally, HotWheels are brought out, and even more occasionally, the Brio that I refuse to get rid of!

What happens if you set up a game for them? Would they come and play it with you?

Maybe make Saturday afternoon family games challenge? Not necessarily board games.

My almost 12 year old still plays with toys, so do my 10 and 7 year olds. Although my older 2 would spend more time on screens if they were given the opportunity. I don't know what it is though, personality thing probably.

My kids are the same age as yours - let me think what they do!

They have kindles but don't really use them. The eldest got a doll recently that she likes dressing up, doing its hair, etc. Mostly she likes writing, reading, crafting.

The littlest loves football, his scooter, his bike, anything physical.

They like some board games - Scrabble, Think Words, Pictionary, Articulate.

They play together, just imagination really. They make a 'Saturday Fun Club' for their toys - they're the teachers and they make the toys their pupils. Or they set up a party and make DH and I come and run the party games.

Sounds like the younger one just wants to be doing what his older brother is doing, that's quite sweet if they are playing football together in the garden. If the older one was a boardgames person then you'd probably find them spending a lot of time playing with those instead!