Tired of the same old boring toys...
By Sillychick
@Sillychick (3275)
United States
June 20, 2008 1:37pm CST
My son is getting bored with his toys. I buy him toys sometimes that are for children a little older than him, because he masters them so quickly. But even those he is outgrowing already. He has blocks, duplos, some simple puzzles, cars, a doll and stroller, a couple of push toys for outside. I am getting ready to go shopping to get him some new things, but I am having a brain freeze for some reason, can't think of what I'd like to get for him. I'm looking for things that will challenge him a little and keep his attention. He's 21 months old. Any suggestions?
3 people like this
6 responses
@terilee79720 (3621)
• United States
21 Jun 08
Hi silly,
This might be totally off the wall for what you beleive in or they way you want to teach your 21 month old.
There is a new book out which I would recommend to anyone, no matter what age children they have. It's by Jeff Foxworthy, called, Dirt On My Shirt. The book is about such things and talks about the toys and games that occupy kids minds these days, versus, the things we used to do BEFORE these toys and games existed.
It talks about going outside and discovering the things we used to think had value - like coming home with leaves in our hair, dirt on our clothes and mud on our shoes.
It talks about how we used to go outside, turn the water on when we wanted a drink, and letting the water run through the hose to get the spiders and warm water out, then drinking cool water from the garden hose.
While that might sound completely out of the question now, the books talks about how toys and games of today do or don't stimulate one's learning ability.
If I were to suggest anything to keep a child's attention, it would most likely be outdated and wrong, according to today's standards.
But - taking our children outdoors, teaching them about clouds, birds and what makes mud would not only be education for them, but reminescent of days gone by.
Just a thought......
1 person likes this
@Sillychick (3275)
• United States
21 Jun 08
It's a good thought! I completely agree. My son does not have a lot of outside toys. We mostly kick a ball around, walk in the woods, carry a pail and shovel to pick up sticks, rocks, leaves, anything he finds that interests him. Sometime we just sit and he digs in the dirt, fills his pail, dumps it out and starts all over again. I love doing that kind of thing with him.
Lately though, it has been very rainy and we've had lots of storms. I like going for a walk in the rain, but when I hear severe thunderstorm warnings, that's a different story. So we stay inside. He loves building with his blocks, reading books, but he gets bored quickly. I'm looking for something to challenge him, to hold his interest and stimulate him to think and be creative. Yesterday we painted, and he loved it, and so did I. I'm not afraid of getting dirty or messy, and I'm not a fan of modern electronic 'teaching toys.'
I used to teach preschool, and I came up with ideas all the time. Lately though, I've been stressed and not as creative as I usually am. So if you have ideas, even if you think they are old or outdated, I'd be happy to hear them.
1 person likes this
@Sillychick (3275)
• United States
17 Jul 08
He has lots of books that he reads all the time. I rotate some of them in and out and that helps some. I don't have any electronic toys for him because I really feel he gets more out of ones that allow him to be creative and take the initiative. He also has lots of things to play with that are not toys, such as our old phone that doesn't work, empty boxes, and a full size drum set. Those hold his attention more than most of his toys.
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
24 Jun 08
Take the ones he isn't playing with and put them away for a few months. Bring them back out and they'll be like new toys.
@Sillychick (3275)
• United States
27 Jun 08
I do that sometimes, but even at that he is catching on. Smart cookie for such a young one.
@Sillychick (3275)
• United States
17 Jul 08
Virgie, my son does help around the house, with laundry- putting clothes in the hamper and transferring from washer to dryer, setting and clearing the table, and picking up toys. Not only is it great for keeping him occupied, it allows me to get more done.
@Virgie60 (556)
• United States
16 Jul 08
I did that alot with my kids when they were growing up. I put the other toys in the attic and when the kids would discover this box in the attic it was almost like Christmas for them. True it didn't last forever and they would get bored again but it did help for a bit.
Maybe have your little one help you in the house with cleaning and cooking and try to make it fun. You could put a little apron or chef's hat on him when you are cooking. Get him a little broom to have him help you sweep. Kids that age love doing that (not like when they are teenagers).
Hope this helps.
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
26 Jun 08
I'd suggest story books, even colouring books. My cousin has a little girl who's two years old and she loves things like the golf clubs they can be ones for indoors or outdoors, She likes to play with the jeep my sister got when she was 3.
She's very much into the toddler pc games as well. She plays them with mommy.
She gets other toys for her from mastermindtoys.com and babyscholars.com
I'd also suggest something like zwaggle.com if you are looking for a way to keep the costs of toys down...and get rid of some of the old toys.
@Sillychick (3275)
• United States
27 Jun 08
He does have lots of books, and I change them out every once in a while so he doesn't get bored with them. Maybe I'll pick up a few new ones to add to the rotation.
I'm not much into coloring books, but we painted a couple times this week and sure had fun!!
@SusanLee (1920)
• United States
3 Jul 08
First go through all his toys and throw out what has peices missing or things that are broke.
Next get two boxes and sort out toys into three piles.
Leave one pile for him to play with this week, put the other two boxes away and alternate them out weekly.
Also pick up little inexpensive things along and along and put it in the boxes that you have put away.
I did this with my last child and it did wonders with his attention span and the amount of toys I had to pick-up everyday.
@Sillychick (3275)
• United States
3 Jul 08
I do rotate out his toys. The problem is that toys for his age group are not challenging enough for him, so he gets bored quickly. I added a few new ones, as well as some additions to his blocks and book collections.
