amusing a 5 year old dd

[hativity]

5 year old dd is quite a pita at the moment. The only thing she likes doing alone is colouring / drawing and playing on the computer - which is fine but she's not going to do either all day. She is mad about books, but - unfortunately - is at that stage where her standard of reading is way below what she enjoys. So the only thing other thing she likes doing is being read to. Has just occured to me that some audio books might be a good thing for her. Wondered if anyone had any suggestions - either audio books or other activities she can do (alone)- she's really not into "playing". Reading-wise she's into Harry Potter, Narnia and Roald Dahl - all of which are great but are beginning to wear thin - any suggestions for a bit more variety?

My ds is 4.5 and has just recently got into Hama beads. He is sooooo into them now and will do them on his own for ages. Will she do these - there are some very girly ones out there. You say she won't play on her own. I think all chldren are like this to some extent and almost need to be taught to play on their own. I think it is a really important skill to be able to amuse yourself. Perhaps you could set a small amount of time each day when she needs to play in her room on her own. Make it a really small amount - 5 minutes, then increas it slowly.

she quite likes hama beads - one of the things she went mad for for a while but now not so keen. When I said she doesn't "play" I meant literally - she doesn't do make believe stuff or games of any sort. she will amuse herself if we find the right thing - but needs to be somethng quite productive, ifswim. Sticker books - yes I think we're due for some more of those. I think the biggest problem is an age and reading thing - she likes doing stuff that stretches her - eg things with instructions/questions etc - ie which entails adult input! any more ideas v welcome. I remember Plop from when I was a kid - loved it!

What aboutsome puzzle books? My ds is also 5, he loves the Where's Wallky books and the Usborne Puzzle series. he can do wuite a lot of the latter alone (depends on how good a reader your dd is).

We also got some maths and writing books for ds a few months ago when we were on holiday - he still returns to them to do them on his own. My ds also loves making scrapbooks and diary/type activities - needs a bit of starting off but then he gets on quite well alone.

thanks (still settling on my post-Christmas name...) You've reminded me that she likes doing word-searches, and I'll have a look for some other puzzles - the problem with maths stuff is usually her reading - ie give her a book of maths problems that she'd enjoy and she generally won't do it on her own, but I'll keep an eye out for something

My dd is now 7 but we've found the Tracey Beaker magazines really good - they arrive every fortnight (I think) and she does all the puzzles, loves the free gifts (stampers, etc), and seems to read it all. Personally I'm a great fan of mags, they're kind of bite-size. WH Smith also do those activity books on themes, eg Dr Who, Dick and Dom, which are of a similar size. Dd does mags and activity books on her own, no adult input required. She also loves keeping a diary - and this is a good time to choose one!

Dd 5 has suddenly developed a liking for 'helping' - cos she can do that with me. Slave-driver that I am I've been getting her to empty the dishwasher, set the table, help clear up, wash the baby's bottles (sort of)etc etc.
On audio tapes - suppose you've already done Charlie and the Chocolate factory, narnia and the reluctant dragon. I wonder if you can get the famous five on tape - dd well into these books at the mo. (me reading of course).
Keeping rubbish for sculptures also a favourite as is 'draw round me' - on a piece of spare wallpaper and she spends the rest of the day decorating herself.
Also shove on music for her to dance to.

Agree with suggestions of a diary. Santa brought ds1 (6.5) a tiny one for Christmas and he had already filled in an excited sentence about today before I even got up!
Also does she do crafty things? How about getting her to make birthday cards for friends or wrapping paper for presents (eg with potato prints etc)?
Have you tried Polly Pocket and Playmobil? both strangely addictive and very popular in ou=our house.

came to this a bit late, but how about a stopwatch? you can also get books of 'personal olympics' eg how quickly can you say your address backwards, go round a room touching all the furniture, etc
or a microscope thing for looking at tiny stuff