4 yr old gets bored so easily and hard to please.

[Bess21]

My ds1 has just turned 4 and gets bored and restless very quickly. I try to suggest lots of different stuff that we can do like games, play-doh, drawing, painting etc and although sometimes he agrees to it, the majority of the time he says no or says he's too tired. He just seems to like to play fight with his younger brother (2.5) a lot or they just like to make a big mess with their toys rather than play with them. He goes to pre-school in the morns and we also go out quite a lot to the park and walks with the dog etc. so its not like he's stuck in a lot of the time. It's driving me mad, I just feel like all the stuff that we bought him for Christmas and his birthday was a waste of money. Is it just his age or is there something i'm doing wrong?

Maybe it's not his age or something you're doing wrong, but just his personality? From your description, he sounds like a very physical, active boy, whereas the suggestions you're making are more sedentary, crafty type things. Nothing wrong with any of them, but different pastimes appeal to different people. Personally I'm with your DS1 - I'd always choose to do something sporty rather than arty. Did he ask for the presents you bought him, or did you choose them? Maybe you (or other friends / relatives) picked things you think he should be playing with rather than stuff he really likes?

I started a thread about this just recently, similar type of situation with my DS1 who is nearly 5yo. It appears he's also more sporty than arty. I just try to do different things with him all the time. It is exhausting as the parent. What about a kick around the garden with a football? Tennis?

Some children just don't do craft stuff, it isn't for them. What about puzzles? Does he enjoy jigsaws?