What do your 8/9 year olds play with lots on their own?

[Howmanysleepsnow]

My nearly 9yo always complains he has nothing to play with/ do when his siblings are playing on their own/ reading. Apparently all his toys need 2 people! Any suggestions for something he can entertain himself with that he won’t tire of quickly? Not tech (we limit time), books (he already reads a lot) or Lego (never been interested). Help!

Maybe it's not what you have but just the fact he wants someone to play with. It could be worth looking for things other people in the family would want to do with him.

I was going to say a flip book kit. My daughter loves “Andymation” on youtube. You can buy his kits but they are quite pricey. We also tried some cheaper flipbooks but his ones definitely work better - but for a lightboard we just got a cheapie and it’s fine. She can easily spend an hour doing a flipbook. She also likes Gravitrax and Rush Hour/ “traffic jam” logic game, which she can play on her own.

My eldest always wanted someone to play with him despite having good toys but it is just how he is. My youngest will play on his own for hours with a couple of lego figures or cars making up long complicated games and stories. Just different kids.
They both love activity books with wordsearches, dot to dot etc.
I bought a job lot of Beano's from Fb marketplace and my eldest is having a lovely time reading them all. He also loves a rubix cube.
Ultimately, your son may just like company though.

Snap circuits!

F

My dd is one of those dc that needs a lot of interaction with people but some of the things that hold her interest for a sustained period of time are:

Basketball
Moonball
Swing tennis (or whatever it’s called)
Knitting
Typing novels in word
Creating God-knows-what out of junk and copious amounts of sellotape
Learning how to use a marionette.
Sketching
Creating comic books
Mindful colouring

Some of those involve screens - I have strict limits on playing and watching Netflix, but I don’t mind them using screens to find tutorials for crafts, sketching, knitting or any new skill, or using word to write or learning to type.

I feel your pain, only mine are younger, but it worked miracle:
-a set of tools including a hammer(probably you'd want to hide it before hand it ), power drill, screwdriver, screws, measuring tape and things like this(i found on Amazon)
-a wooden train set (i have it from ikea but seen recently at argos from chad valley about £9 if i am not wrong)
-colouring books
-a plain paper and a pen so he can draw whatever he want, a car, his family, a house and then you'll wonder how creative he may be

A puppy. Not a decision to be taken lightly but a dog is the best playmate ever. I was like an only child as siblings much older and parents ( farmers) were too busy to play with me so dogs were my playmates. My dog is still my best friend and has kept me sane these last few months. Do not get a dog if not able to care for it properly.

Lego, arts and crafts, figures and playsets