How to get kids to play alone

[namechanger1223455]

My two boys are 3 and 5.
They refuse to play on their own. Rarely play with each other and will only want to play with toys if they are with other kids or me.
I get no time alone because they both want me to play with them all the time. I try and leave them to play but they stop their play and follow me?!
I need help!! I'm exhausted 🤣

If they’re not used to playing alone, they probably won’t be able to do so for more than a few minutes at first. Try setting a timer and tell them when it rings you’ll do something together.
Also, tell them in advance when you expect them to start playing alone. Knowing what to expect is a huge thing for children, and they are much more likely to participate if they see it coming.
Help them plan. Sit and ask them to make some plans for how they each might spend the time playing alone – they probably need your help with this. For instance, tell them they could start by reading a book, and then move on to playing with puzzles and then Lego.
Sometimes my ds will pick something to play with (his fire engine are especially popular) but sometimes he needs an little inspiration. I might help him build a fort or start a block city for him. It’s worth spending a few minutes helping your dc get involved with an activity.
I do respond once or twice to requests to “watch this, Mum” or “look at this awesome tower, Mum!” I admire what’s going on, comment on how nicely he’s playing, and maybe ask a question (“did your firefighter make any rescues today?”).
When the time limit is up, make sure you turn your full attention back to them and show some genuine interest in what they’ve done.
Don’t worry about mess! If they’re playing nicely, I’m not going to complain about toys all over the family room.
Swap their toys around. Gather up some toys, put them in a box and put them away for a few weeks. The items will seem new when they’re reintroduced and will make for a good distraction from the lack of your presence (for a little while, at least!).

Similar aged boys here, 5 and 2. The older one has always been crap at entertaining himself. He’s gotten much better, but I still don’t think as able as other children his age.

Stuff I’ve found helped / things that he’ll happily play alone:
Different types of building, Lego, Knex etc. He will sit and make up his own models as well as follow instructions
Leaving a little “invitation to play” out so a group of similar themed toys, transformers or a ready built train track
Being visibly unavailable like cleaning or tidying up. If I’m sat down, no chance. Telling him he has to play alone also doesn’t work, he has random periods of playing alone really well or playing nicely with DS2, but it can be planned.

Shamelessly following. Have the same problem with my 2.5 and 4.5 year old! It’s DRAINING

I was going to say have another but I see there are two!! I alternate toys a lot and actually we go out a lot as my boys pretty busy and need a lot of exercise. Then when we get back they are happy to play a lot on their own.

I have been waiting for this question for many years!
Once my DC (I have 3) stopped a daytime nap I instigated a solo play session in their bedroom.
Throughout the morning I asked them to plan which toy/book/colours they would use in solo play that day.So even at 18 months I would say "oh shall we save this new book for you to look at by yourself later" and make it sound like a treat. They were particularly keen to make something (Duplo for example) to show me or DH. To begin with, these sessions were 10 mins but, in the end, I left them to come down when they were ready and it could be an hour or so. When solo play finished I always made time for a chat and a drink/snack.
Honestly this is one of the very few things I feel I got right in child rearing. I noticed such a difference in my DC to some (only some!) of their friends once we started to have play dates, as their little chums needed constant stimulation from adults.
My DC are young adults now and still enjoy their own company to varying amounts.
I can see you need reasonable age gaps (though only 22 months between my younger two), suitable rooms and a regular routine. Also, and sorry this isn't helpful to you, start asap.