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?

She sounds lovely, serendipity. DS used to love helping with housework but we lost our way someshere there. I like the idea of certain things in certain rooms.

I am very lucky with books in that DS1 taught himself to read age 2.9 so can occupy himself for quite a while with them.

He seems happier the last couple of days after I've given him more time. He is being more inventive too. Apparently when he bites a strip of skin away from his apple all the way round, it's a map of the Thameslink line.

Keep all your freshly washed socks and play "pairs" with him...

Helping with cooking - as per 'I Can Cook'? Mushrooms are good to chop with a blunt knife.

Get him to make up his own stories, which you write down, a few sentences per sheet of A4 so that he can then illustrate on his own (to give 'purpose' to his drawing?)

We did the sock matching today! And a useful exercise in matching Tupperware boxes to the right lids to find out what was missing. I made a concerted effort to include dd in my chores and it made them more fun for
me, certainly!

Oh yes, he enjoys sock matching.

I was thinking I might write him an invitation to help with the housework - to make it seem more special. :)