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Very bored 3.5 yr old

5 replies

peppajay · 17/03/2012 16:52

I was wondering if somebody could suggest some ideas for toys for a 3 and a half yr old. He seems to lost all ability to play these last couple of months, neither of mine have been big players as we are so often out and about. My dd is 5 and much better at playing now, but my son just lolls around moaning when we are home and asking for food coz he is bored. Up until just before xmas he was quite good and would entertain himself with books or teddies and sometimes cars and trains, but all play has gone out the window. Academically he is very bright and we are always sitting down doing numbers and writing etc but sometimes I just need him to play. He enjoys drawing and play doh but only for about 10 minutes tops. He has never been a big car or train player and all his friends at pre school are girls. He loves being outside or at the park hence if it is a decent day we are always out and unless one of them is ill we have never spent a whole day at home!! The other problem I have is he won't watch tv, never has neither does my DD so all the character toys are lost on him.

He just seems really bored at the moment and unfortunately I cannot be there stimulating his play all the time so wondered if anyone had any ideas for any toys or something that may keep him amused when we are stuck in or I am cooking dinner.

He isnt really a boys boy and has little interest in cars and trains. He used to love playing with dolls and teddies but even that bores him now. He is at pre school every day so is stimulated in the week but the weekends he just gets so fed up!! Any ideas greatly appreciated!!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
chocolateyclur · 17/03/2012 18:42

What about some of the more basic playmobil? They were the things that really captured DS1's interest in character play.

mrsgboring · 17/03/2012 18:50

Lego!! Also you can sing together while doing chores. Though I appreciate that's more tiring for you.

Have you tried junk modelling? My ds1 adored this from about this age - as soon as he could use scissors and Sellotape. Messy but basically free. Smile

COCKadoodledooo · 17/03/2012 19:02

Lego, playmobil, jigsaws? It's a long time since ds1 was that age and I can't remember Blush

Maybe ask his preschool teachers what his fave activity is during the week and replicate that?

Doitnicelyplease · 18/03/2012 16:02

Does he like role play, maybe a toy kitchen, dr's kit, dress-up clothes? Most three year olds seem to like that.

My DD likes animal figures or dinosaurs more than dolls/people. We also do building toys duplo, sticklebricks...

A marble run? Games he can play with his sister like Orchard Toys? Some new puzzles?

Mine loves to be outside running around, but I have 'trained' her to play by letting her be bored sometimes (when mummy 'has jobs to do'), I found that going out all the time she constantly wanted that stimulation/activity level - a few lazy/unplanned out days at home every now and then can help them learn to amuse themselves for a bit.

I am expecting DC2 in the summer and need my DD to be able to amuse herself sometimes!

Tgger · 18/03/2012 21:00

3 year old getting fed up. Sounds odd to me. Maybe he's tired at the weekends? Yes, I agree with pp, they need to learn to amuse themselves by being bored, although sometimes things like some new toys/starting an activity with them and letting them carry on etc can help. My DD similar age demands attention rather than playing by herself when tired/hasn't seen so much of me. Sometimes she can play well for ages, sometimes hardly at all. If he likes being outside and you are able to get out then he doesn't really need to be playing at the weekend if he is doing loads at preschool?

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