Toys that actually hold 5 month olds attention?

[MarshmallowsOnToast]

Is there anything out that that you found to hold baby's attention long enough to enable you to do the washing up or fold some drying?

We have plenty of toys but I'm finding this stage of DS difficult where he wants something to stimulate him but can't sit up yet so can't really be left to do his own thing. He has a bouncer he sits in & watches me but gets bored and wants something to play with - he won't bounce himself 🤦🏻‍♀️ so I'm half way through the dishes & he's screaming for attention.

Same story with if I'm making the bed/getting dressed. I will prop him up on a pillow with a toy which he drops after a minute then cries. You get the picture...

Anything he is given will be shoved in his mouth the best he can. If it fits, it will keep him happy for for a minute or two. If it doesn't fit he instantly gets frustrated.

I'm happy to play with him & sing songs but I'm looking for something he can entertain himself with whilst sat in a bouncer for example.

He's not a massive fan of lying on his back so his play mat keeps him occupied for less than 5 minutes.

So far his favourite thing to play with has been his feet!

Please hit me with your babies favourites!

Well we call it the "baby hottub" but it's actually called a play nest. Have a look on amazon. Inflatable ring, baby sits inside supported and around the edges are dangly toys/a mirror/ different textures. Absolutely perfect for a 5 month old when they are not yet mobile but apt to get bored! Both mine loved it.

I've three children and spent a fortune trying to find that magical toy to but unfortunately for mine it never existed

Can you get those plastic clips you link together? Make 3 chains of different lengths and put random toys at the end of each one. Clip the lengths on to his waistband.

Following with interest have a six month old dgd, she is the same she does have a chad valley octopus (Lots of different textures/mirror ribbons) which I got from Sainsbury’s & that seems to hold her interest for a while.

Jumparoo is good. We called it the circle of neglect as you could leave them in there (with supervision of course) to entertain themselves.

Mine loved a colourful ball with a little bell in it that made sounds every time it moved. He also loved colourful plastic blocks.

Jumparoo honestly saved our marriage!
I’ve heard it referred to by friends as ‘the circle of neglect’ and I find that hilarious! ... but accurate.

Need to put the laundry on? Jumparoo
Want a wee? Jumparoo
Making yourself lunch? Jumparoo
Wanna watch a bit of TV? Jumparoo

Tasks that need more than 15-20 minutes require the jumparoo be placed in front of CBeebies!

(I do play with DS for hours each day but I also have housework, meals and admin jobs to do)

If he likes his feet, maybe noise-making type toys (bells, shaker etc) that fit on wrists and ankles - a lot of babies like those.

Tupperware.

Not actual toys.

Jumparoo - amazing. Brings out the river dancer in your little one, mine spent so much time in it ! We lived above a shop at the time and they must have wondered what on earth was going on with the constant thud thud thud on the floor, he wasn't exactly a small baby!

@MarshmallowsOnToast

Is there anything out that that you found to hold baby's attention long enough to enable you to do the washing up or fold some drying?

We have plenty of toys but I'm finding this stage of DS difficult where he wants something to stimulate him but can't sit up yet so can't really be left to do his own thing. He has a bouncer he sits in & watches me but gets bored and wants something to play with - he won't bounce himself 🤦🏻‍♀️ so I'm half way through the dishes & he's screaming for attention.

Same story with if I'm making the bed/getting dressed. I will prop him up on a pillow with a toy which he drops after a minute then cries. You get the picture...

Anything he is given will be shoved in his mouth the best he can. If it fits, it will keep him happy for for a minute or two. If it doesn't fit he instantly gets frustrated.

I'm happy to play with him & sing songs but I'm looking for something he can entertain himself with whilst sat in a bouncer for example.

He's not a massive fan of lying on his back so his play mat keeps him occupied for less than 5 minutes.

So far his favourite thing to play with has been his feet!

Please hit me with your babies favourites!

It might sound bad cause it's the tv etc but on YouTube there's something called little baby bum. It's sensory and I put it on when I need 5 minutes, I've used it since they were a few months old.