Why won't my 3yo play!?

[Iveprobablybeenunreasonable]

I'm getting so stuck now

I have a 3yo ds. He's a lovely boy and very funny but he just won't play and he's always been the same. Toys just dont interest him.

He'll ask for toys for Xmas etc but then shows no interest. He will watch tv a little, maybe an episode or 2 of Peppa till he's bored. He will never watch a whole film or even half of one. Don't give him ipad or anything.

He went through stage of being obsessed with jigsaws but it was very short lived.

I have an 11mo who plays with everything so lovely, the garages, sensory toys, figures, teddies etc. He's always shown an interest in things.

But the 3yo just needs constantly stimulating. It's exhausting! He follows me round all day every day asking me to play with him (hide and seek) or asking "what are you doing mummy" so I can explain EVERYTHING.

It sounds means now I'm writing it but it's just driving me slowly insane!

I'm on mat leave so a typical day we go out at 9.30 ish, home for 11. Lunch at 12, out again at 2 ish for an hour or so.

We go out every day or he's climbing the walls but at home leaving him to 'get bored' just doesn't work!

Does anyone have any tips on how to encourage him to just play!?

My oldest was like this so he just ‘helped’ with everything I needed to do before I then sat down to play with him

I agree with Lara, I'd get him helping. So if he asks what you're doing I'd say "I'm cleaning the floor and you can help". You can get small children's brush sets. Give him tasks like washing sone toys in a big bowl of soapy water. Get him to load and unload the dishwasher. Can he feed the pets too, if you have any?

He already helps with everything, he does love to help especially with cooking and sorting the baby etc. We have no pets.
I just worry he'll never develop an imagination if he doesn't play alone!

Does he go to pre-school? If so, it might be worth asking his Keyworker if he plays there