Creative play ideas needed and any ideas on encouraging dc to actually play with the humungous pile of toys they had for Xmas

[MilaMae]

Need some creative play ideas that will draw them in so they play longer than 15 mins with toys. Dc are 3 and 4 so don't know if I'm expecting a lot. They got given lovely toys(Playmobil, Lego, pirates etc) which they do play with but not for very long. They sort of play with something fleetingly then roam around looking for trouble.

They play this really annoying game where all 3 pretend they're babies and talk in baby language until I shreak stop (it can go on for ages). I can remember playing for hours with my toys, feel they just need some encouragement as the imagination is there.

Tried to draw ds into playing with his fire engine today by yelling "fire in the dollshouse"and he just shrugged his shoulders saying the dolls had better escape as he was busy-then went back to flicking his brother.

What can I do to encorage them?? Have you any creative play ideas that draw your dc into playing with their toys????

Don't stop the baby talk game - my 3 did this too. I thought it was very funny and creative and I used to join in occasionally . But seriously, if you think about the skills they're using for it (turn taking, role play, imagination) then really it's great that they're doing it.
IME, children aren't that great with the playmobil, lego stuff. And tbh I was the same when i was little - i took one look at the perfect model on the box, wondered why in reality the models I made weren't like that and then wandered off to do something else!

I rotate toys here every few weeks (toys that are kept downstairs) they have less choice that way

do you play with them?
not all kids are into being creative - not necessarily a bad thing

I think the trick with the baby game is not to stop it but to simply go out of ear shot and let them get on with it. I think if you start a game and play with them sometimes they will play this game over again on subsequent days so some gain from the pain.

This game can go on allllllllllllll day though. I heard ds talking in the basby voice at pre-school while waiting to pick him up so a little concerned about it. They also get silly with this game, it turns into rough and tumble, somebody getting hurt, teddies are involved which on most occasions get turned into weapons and thrown round the room or used as whipping tools.

They look after Baby Annabel in a completely different way without the baby language and in a really nuturing way. This Baby Meh Meh (don't ask) game gets out of control every time. Thought diversion could be a key thing instead of me wrenching said teddies off them and confiscating which ends in tears.

Soo reassuring to hear it's a 3 year old thing.

I think that they should lead the play. Children will play, it's what they do. They may not play with the toys that grown ups buy them but they will amuse themselves. It doesn't quite work if we guide them too much.

The baby game sounds like it could be pretty annoying but don't stop them playing it. In fact, don't stop them playing anything unless it is dangerous or someone is coming off really badly!

Yes thought I might say they can play it upstairs-do you think that's a bit heavy handed???? To be honest it's tough if it is as another week like last week and I'll be insane!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My DSs love playing with playmobil in the bath, and will then carry on with the games they've made up when they get out. They only got really interested in Lego when they were about 6. Their interest in both Lego and Playmobil goes in phases.

Ds is 3 and likes to be baby atm but that's probably because we are about to have one and he wants to know he still has mummy.

Trouble is, any game that culminates in a mega reaction from mummy is bound to appeal and isn't likely to stop any time soon. Best thing might be to ignore it as much as you can and pray that they move on quickly (which they will). Just as I think I can't play the same game with ds for the squillionith time, I then realise that we haven't done so for a couple of days.

I do agree that baby talk is beyond anything in terms of tedium but I have failed to stamp it out. DS started with it at 3 1/2 which coincided with the birth of DD when he was 3 1/4 so I put it down to that. Sorry but the bad news is that he still does it at nearly 7. And DD who is 3 1/2 but has no younger sibling also does it, so maybe I am wrong and it actually an age/stage thing. Sorry for the bad news.

You have to be kidding-7!!!!!!!!!!!!! God I'm looking forward to September now when d twins start school.

oh god what on earth is this game? i feel sure it will drive me berserk fingers crossed my two dont get into it

I think the way you present toys- the way they are stored and whether or not they are reachable- is a big factor in whether they are played with or not

what is it about baby-talk that drives us all so nuts? the rational part of me just thinks "it's ok, they're just being a bit silly, nothing wrong with that" but the real me is SCREAMING. I hate hate hate silly voices/baby voices and I can't put my finger on why. glad it's not just me and dh.

re encouraging play with toys - I really agree re rotating them. put (at least) half of them right out of sight - in the garage/loft/under the stairs - quite literally where they can't see them. then a month later get (some of) them out - (and hide some others) they'll play. I think they just get bored of them by virtue of being able to see them.

Yep - I'm about to put at least half the toys away for a while. Yesterday DS1 (3.5) played for 2 hrs with 2 coat hangers (they are horses don't you know?) and DS2 with a tin can (not for 2 hrs though - more like 2 mins !)...
Maybe I should just ditch everything
Our two play at babies too - I don't mind it because it's a game DS2 (1) can join in, they crawl around the floor going "mamamamama". Gets a bit annoying when they're both hanging off my leg though
Try just keeping ONE of the toys out and see what they do with it.