My toddle hates toys

[IngridMagnussen]

Can I please have some advice?
My son is 2 and a half years old and he just does not play. I've tried him with many different types of toys, brought them out one at a time to avoid him being overwhelmed, I've tried different types of background noise, but all he wants to do is sit with me and read books.

When he was younger he would hold up and point at pictures and look at me excitedly while I told him all the names for things, and at a friends house we tried their flash cards and I couldn't believe how much he loved them.

He now loves going around and telling me what everything is called, and seems to love being tested. While that's very strange for such a young child I'm following his lead and playing the way he likes.

The thing that's niggling away is that he never ever plays. Does no art, basically nothing at all that involves him using his imagination. Do you have any ideas on how I can try and wean him into play a little more?

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I know no other parents that have struggled like I do, and I'm starting to worry. Why won't he play?

How is his development otherwise? How are his social skills etc?

Can you get him to draw objects you say? Or you show him the word abs him draw it?

Lego to build objects similarly?

What would he do if you sat there painting or playing with a toy?

Socially he absolutely loves other children, and if one were to come to our house he brings his toy out to show to his friend, then leaves them to play with the toys and wanders off to try on their shoes.

He won't draw anything, especially not if I ask him to. I've tried pencils, paints, felt tips, fat crayons and thin crayons.

He has some Lego. I try not to push him with any one particular toy. I'll bring it out about once a week to try him and he only likes one piece that looks like a submarine, and he sings Yellow Submarine to me, and then it's back on the floor with all the rest and no more interest is given.

If I play with something he gets jealous, shouts 'No mummy, not playdoh!' Pulls it out of my hands and sits on my lap so I can talk to him.

He did go to nursery from 9 months old, until last month when the nursery closed and he now stays with me. Apparently he didn't actually play with any of the toys there either, he just ran around and tried to play with the other children, but at the age he is most other children aren't ready to play with others yet.

I'm completely at a loss of what I'm supposed to do now. I feel like I've tried everything. Before I could get all the cooking, cleaning etc done in the 2 days he was at nursery, but now I'm not allowed to leave his side at all. Even that doesn't even worry me though, as much as the realisation that something just isn't right. I've been jumping to all sorts of conclusions.

No ideas sorry. Sounds like it worth getting him into some play groups or nursery where he can mix.
Is he verbal enough to explain why he doesn't like a toy?