4 year old and 2.5 year old don't play with their toys they have, they don't even play together or alone they expect me to b with them all the time to play I'm considering getting rid of all their toys is that a good option as they don't use them any way, also should I even waste my money buying them toys for Xmas or not also don't get me wrong I do sit down and play with them for a while bit they expect me to do it almost all day every day
13 Replies
Don't get rid of them all. Downsize their collection (so many kids have more than they need, mine included) leaving mostly books and open-ended (multi-use) playthings such as blocks/Legos/building materials, pretend play toys such as play kitchens/tools/dress ups. Musical instruments are also excellent to keep. Play dough, drawing and painting things too. Jigsaws/puzzles/games. Chuck toys that only do one thing, anything old and broken.
I have already done that, they have things such as pretend play food and kitchen , puzzles, reading books books that make noise they have play dough and play with it when I allow them, they have mega blocks and building blocks but still don't play with any of it unless I am physically playing with them t
Its their age, they dont start really playing with each other until around 5, before that, around 3-5, they parallel play, so they might play the same thing next to someone else, then go off and so something else, and even then the little one might be hard for the older one to play with, so for now they do still need you to guide them for a while. No dont get rid of their toys they will grow into them. No dont buy them more. Get them open ended activities for christmas a swing, trampoline, sandpit, blackboard, mudpit etc.
My 2 and 7 year are the opposite, they hate playing with me (apparently I "play wrong" no matter how I do it?!) it does sting a bit but I do other things with them like colour, take my oldest to the movies, ride my bike with her, play with stickers and sing with my youngest etc. I wouldn't get rid of all of their toys as they may change their mind in the future. I'd be getting them things like bikes, skateboards, scooters etc for Christmas instead of toys.
I have this problem with my 4 yr old. What has helped is to play for 15 minutes then say "i need to do xxx for 3 minutes" then come back and so on.
They probably do have too many toys but I think that's only half the problem, it seems like they don't know how to play independently.
If you're not playing toys with them, can they occupy themselves? Or do they need you to constantly entertain them?
I'd try and encourage some independent play, it's a really important skill. Especially for 4yr old, heading towards school age.
Hi no they can't play independently if they do it is only like for 3 min or so
Wow, mine go much longer than that. Sure they have their times where theyre nagging me every twenty seconds, but they also can go into the backyard and play for twenty minutes.
I wonder if its just a bad habit and you need to try to gently step back. Start something. Get them on a roll and step back and watch and when they look for you, encourage them.
Put most toys away and introduce one or two at a time. Have no other distractions and see what happens without you.
What do they do when you're not playing with them?
They follow me around the house
Are you happy for them to make a mess???
Mine never play with their toys to the point where I have culled and it's just Lego, books and craft and their outside toys.
Even when they were little, they were/are just outside.
But I did make it quite clear from little that I am not a play thing.
They are 6yrs and 7yrs.
We told relatives to buy a term of sports for birthday and Xmas.
Works for us, little mess.
I know how you feel, but I have an only child who is four and today he wanting me to play with him and I am like if I look at another paw patrol, car, or monster truck I will go insane. I usually take my son out to the shops, beach, park, visit nanny or bike ride when I can't deal with toys, however I am extremely bored with this as well. I look forward to events happening around the city as it's something different from the boring weekly routine. He is in day care four days a week as I work part-time, so he does have friends and lots of learning and play time with others. It seems like the inside toys are what he wants me to play with him most. He does play more independently with outside toys. I have become more conscious of buying toys now and think if they are worth the money and would he find much use of them