Ideas for (semi) independent play for just-turned 3 y.o.?

[AngelDog]

DS1 is just 3 and spends half his day bored, hanging around while I do dull jobs, either house/food related, or 3 m.o. DS2-related. He is actually very good at playing by himself, but the length of time he has to occupy himself is currently exceeding his resources.

I'm in need of ideas for things to keep him occupied as he otherwise asks me incessant questions (the same ones over and over) which mean I take even longer to do jobs and get really cross.

He isn't competent at independent use of scissors, sellotape or glue.

He doesn't like drawing unless with some particular purpose.

We don't have a TV and try to save youtube for serious bribery where necessary.

He loves books but already spends ages reading.

He doesn't do role-play apart from playing shops, which I have to be fully involved with.

Enjoys Duplo/vehicles but already spends ages doing that.

He's reluctant to help with housework, or enjoys it but creates more work for me.

I'm struggling to get much done in the evenings. DH has no time to do more.

Any ideas?

I often let my DS (almost 3), stand by the sink in the kitchen and play with the water in the sink. I throw in some kitchen utensils (whisks, measuring cups, spatulas, etc.) and tupperware and he seems to like doing that for a while. There is mess ... generally water goes all over the floor. However it isn't terrible and he seems to love doing it. Occupies him for about 25 mins at a time.

DS got a big wooden fire station and all the bits for his 3rd birthday, he can spend ages playing with that.

Sounds like he does loads!
Why not invest in a TV for some cbeebies time? Then you'll get a little break?

It sounds like he plays by himself a lot and it would be unrealistic to expect him to do it even more! Maybe you need to lower your housework standards?! As he's 3, he is eligible for 15 hours per week funding at pre school, is there a local one he could attend?

Well I would second the cbeebies option.
It's quite educational and very entertaining for a toddler. Adult, imaginative programmes like show me show me, lets play are always a winner with mine. It's not just cartoons.
But I would also suggest giving him more of your time.
That night seem like an odd suggestion, but I've found it works with mine.

If I give them as much one to one play/reading/helping me cook then when I need to get things done (when baby is asleep) they're much happier to leave me to get on with it and leave them to okay because they've had some attention iyswim.

And definitely try asking him to help you cook. Putting things in pans, getting things out the fridge, putting cutlery on the table etc. our eldest loves doing this.

-play....not okay

Thanks, all.

tumble, I don't really mean I expect him to play by himself more (though that would be nice) - just I think he needs a new set of interesting activities as he's kind of between enthusiasms at the moment IYSWIM.

We're not planning to send him to pre-school - he's had bad separation anxiety since 6 months and is terrified at the idea of anyone other than DH, me or his grandmothers looking after him (he even gets upset at grandfathers wanting to push the pushchair when we're all out together).

humble, how could I have forgotten water play?! DS will be a happy boy.

Scales you are right about the extra time. He's obsessed with playing shops - I might try that tomorrow morning when I'm feeding/changing DS2 first thing.

When he watches TV programmes he wants the adult to watch with him and explain what's happening every 30 seconds.

Wooden train tracks.
Jigsaws.

Actually, what I want to make is a 'bored box' where I can put cards with ideas for activities so when he's being annoying and I really can't give him time, he can choose something to do.

How about play dough? My DD had a big box of cutters/ printing/ play dough tools from ELC at Xmas and they have been a big hit! She also likes to stick jewels/ googley eyes/ coloured match sticks (from Asda) in them too to make monsters etc!

Jigsaws
Playdoh with little rolling pin and cookie cutters
Some preschool apps angry birds on your phone/tablet/laptop. Ds essentially taught himself on my smarphone from around 2yrs old. Now 3, he got a n inotab from santa and I set a kitchen timer for 20 mins every other day or so (and now have my phone back)
Cbeebies
"Helping" me with housework. He has a duster, dustpan n brush, toy hoover and follows me around.
A huge beanbag for throwing himself around on. Great for tiring him out if weathers bad.

Does he have a pushchair that he can push a dolly/ teddy around in? My DD has really got into role play with her baby doll since turning 3 which is very sweet and requires minimal input from me. She also enjoys her doctors kit...

My DD will also spend about 20 mind or so jumping from sofa cushion to sofa cushion if I spread them all out on the floor...my sofa is about 10 years old though so it doesn't bother me!

*mins

We do get out a lot too though...we try and be out and about for half the day if possible...

Have you looked round any ore-schools to get a feel for them? My DD was very clingy. When she was younger but 2x4 hr sessions a week at a wonderful per-school since she was 2.3yrs has really brought her out of her shell and she is more confident than I could have ever have imagined!

*pre-schools

My 3 year old currently loves happyland and dressing up. Waterplay and trains are a big hit too.

Does he like anything like dinosaurs or farm animals? My D has hers in a couple of (cat litter!) trays with some home made playdough. They can keep her occupied for ages. I add new objects sometimes (straws, coffee beans, pine cones) and it gives the play a new lease of life.

I have a 3.5 yo and a 6 mo. And feel your pain! It's always when you really can't play with them that they want you most. DD can play for hours with her dolls' house when I want her to go to bed, or we need to go out, but at that precise time I need to feed the fractious baby to sleep, No Way!

What about threading (them cotton real things or buttons).

What about story CDs???

Thanks for those extra ideas. DH has bought him a new Duplo train set so I forsee that being the passion for the next little while/

Audio books and nursery rhyme CDs?

I agree with loads of these. My dd, nearly 3, will sit and do stacks of puzzles. Other things that occupy her are: duplo, baby dolls with 'real' nappy bag and buggy, sorting and organising toys and bits and bobs (aka baskets of crap!), Playdough, making trains with cushions, tap-a-shape, magnetic board with build-your-own-vehicle pieces, fuzzy felts.
Then there are things that we only do in certain rooms to keep busy. In her room she'll play in her den under her raised bed. When I'm in the shower she has some foam shapes/letters/animals cut out of those thin cleaning sponges you can get. It means I can do her new ones when she gets bored of the old ones. We have her play kitchen in the kitchen, so she can cook alongside me.
I also try and get her to help with real every day chores....if there's no time constraints. She love washing up, she has the dishes in warm soapy water, then I rinse and check they are clean! She also wears a glove and peels the veg for us. She helps with the washing and puts the pants and socks on the lower racks of the clothes drier, which is great now I'm 6 months pregnant! I also let her use the hoover and she dusts! She's great....I'm a lucky lady :) HTH x

We are having an impromptu day at home as plans cancelled today. One brilliant activity this morning was for me to have the rare treat of a bath while the baby napped. Lots and lots of bubbles and DD 'helping' by playing with the bubbles and then bath toys (standing on her little stool at the side). When I wanted to get out, she carried on playing for ages and ages (I was pottering nearby).

I had some boring jobs I'd been putting off - sorting some kitchen cupboards. We did those together and she was thrilled! This led to us tidying her little kitchen, with her in charge. Baby joined in that too by playing with whatever we gave him.

I am also experimenting today with no limits on tv! (Iplayer - cbeebies). Normally I only let her watch a couple of episodes of something, once or twice a day. There is lots of begging, whining, crying for more and it's horrible. So today I thought I'd see how much she watched if I said yes to each request. She's only asked twice and was content with one episode each time.

All in all, it's turning out a much better day than some are.