https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 17 May 2026 13:00:24 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-toysactivities-keep-your-toddlers-interest-the-longest-age-25#post-2263255 Fri, 14 Aug 2015 06:38:27 +0000 NurseDMB 2263255@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS just turned 2 and his favorite thing in the world right now are his matchbox cars. He could easily spend a half hour playing with them - his favorite thing to do right now is take one of our couch cushions and put it at an angle and "race" the cars down lol. </p> <p>He also likes playing with sand or water, kicking a ball.</p> <p>All of his other toys get played with for 5 minutes tops and I usually have to start playing with it first (like his play kitchen, little people, etc). </p> <p>He likes to use glue and glitter, sometimes color with markers. But for the most part he really doesn't have a huge interest in coloring, play dough, etc. I keep trying but he says "all done!" After 2 minutes. I notice the same with a lot of boys in general- I know some boys do like art stuff, but the majority I know aren't interested as much as girls are. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-toysactivities-keep-your-toddlers-interest-the-longest-age-25#post-2262172 Thu, 13 Aug 2015 03:58:45 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2262172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I noticed that the more toys left out, the lower DD's attention span is. When she starts leaving toys around and making a mess just for the heck of it, I hide the culprit. I rotate her toys (while she sleeps) whenever I notice she doesn't play with something anymore. As soon as I put away the "mess" she explores and starts playing with whatever it is she hasn't touched (what I'd like her to start playing with again). She usually plays with whatever it is for sooo long whenever I do this.</p> <p>All her play food and cash register is on rotation right now. I really wanted her to start playing with her blocks again and sure enough, she is. Two weeks have gone by and now all her blocks are scattered around, so I'll take those away along with her Duplos, so she can start playing with her trains again. </p> <p>The older she gets, the more obvious this works for us. It started getting very obvious at 2.5, although I've been doing it for sometime.</p> <p>Eta: The only toy this doesn't work for is her Sylvanian Families/Calico Critters. She always asks for those. I usually bring it out if she specifically looks for something, but it doesn't happen often. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-toysactivities-keep-your-toddlers-interest-the-longest-age-25#post-2262144 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 23:06:44 +0000 Mrs. Blue 2262144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2.5 year old boys--<br /> -Small trucks (not hot wheel size but not huge, either) in a sand box. Or just trucks anywhere actually.<br /> -The tools from their tool bench<br /> -swimming<br /> -giant boxes (they climb on them, climb in them, push each other around on them, paint on them, etc. until finally the boxes are officially dead and we chunk them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-toysactivities-keep-your-toddlers-interest-the-longest-age-25#post-2262143 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 23:06:12 +0000 mrsjyw 2262143@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Water table and his electric power wheels car and pretty much any outdoor toy or actvity. He would live outside if possible.</p> <p>Magnatiles and his music toys are his daily indoor toys that keep his attention the longest and any Art actvity. He'll be 3 in Late November. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-toysactivities-keep-your-toddlers-interest-the-longest-age-25#post-2262123 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 22:16:19 +0000 mrskc 2262123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Holds his attention the longest:</p> <p>His little die-cast cars like little tonka trucks, matchbox, etc. He likes to drive them around or load them up onto his bigger big rig with a trailer. </p> <p>Trains - I set up the track for him and he'll go around and around. Or sometimes he just drives the train around the house with no track. But any train derailment and he throws all his train cars and takes apart the track. :bummed: </p> <p>Sandbox: ugh so messy but he loves it.</p> <p>Little pool w/ squirters and cups. He once spent hours outside just squirting water. </p> <p>He's never been very interested in art stuff so that only holds his attention for a few minutes. </p> <p>He'll do puzzles, magnatiles, and blocks if I sit right there and play with him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-toysactivities-keep-your-toddlers-interest-the-longest-age-25#post-2262098 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 21:14:10 +0000 charlotte 2262098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>SO many great ideas!</p> <p>@hilsy85: @Mamasig: I also hate these but completely understand the appeal. My son is so into car track type toys. </p> <p>@rosegold: ha, I wouldn't even mind that if he would spend time messing it up on his own. If there are two cars on the floor he immediately says "mommy do!" "Pick it UP!" I have done a bad job cultivating independent play...</p> <p>@snowjewelz: just added her, great idea!</p> <p>@daniellemybelle: I liked your other thread too! We are trying to cut down on Daniel and Peppa. I wish I had never introduced TV. But then again, how would I have survived the 1st trimester in the middle of winter of this second pregnancy. Hmmmmph. At least we can take away screentime as a consequence now, that is the one thing that really means a lot to him and can get him to stop hitting me during the day. </p> <p>@Mrs. Carrot: bought that table today! I hope he likes it. </p> <p>@2PeasinaPod: I really like the chalk and train idea. Maybe this will get some use out of our cars that haven't been touched in awhile. </p> <p>@MrsSRS: @Owlmama: I reorganized and hid some toys today and it seemed to help! Even I was less bored. </p> <p>Now, what to do when every single favorite toy becomes my LEAST favorite due to irrational 2 year old meltdowns? If blocks fall, animals aren't doing what they're supposed to (?!?), the trains don't roll quite smoothly enough..... AGH!!!!! I suppose I'll head over to the behavior board for that one. :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-toysactivities-keep-your-toddlers-interest-the-longest-age-25#post-2261462 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 07:25:39 +0000 Owlmama 2261462@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I totally feel you on this- I always feel on a mission to find something more captivating!</p> <p>Hiding and rotating toys really is effective. Also playing in an "emptier"room seems to last longer so I stuff everything in my closets, which is rough on organizing, but works to keep her playing longer.</p> <p>Right now the longest attention holders are:</p> <p>Magnets on the fridge-I have mag formers but she only really likes them on that refrigerator surface, otherwise she doesn't have the patience at all. Also we have some of those Melissa and Doug animal magnets but some are a bit small so I have to monitor her. I want to get a set of letters and number magnets, but am looking for ones that are solid and so many are small and cheap.</p> <p>Stickers- she loves moving them around and sticking and un-sticking them but sometimes gets angry when the rip or won't come up easily</p> <p>Arranging things in boxes or on shelves-doesn't seem to matter what kind of shelves, boxes, or objects. I like using dollar store stuff like Pom poms. You know kids and cardboard boxes are a great match always. I raid the recycling bin daily.</p> <p>Water play-messy and annoying to monitor, but playing in the sink is the best attention holder for her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-toysactivities-keep-your-toddlers-interest-the-longest-age-25#post-2261458 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 07:20:26 +0000 hellobeeboston 2261458@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: thanks for that rec!! Just followed!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-toysactivities-keep-your-toddlers-interest-the-longest-age-25#post-2261449 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 07:05:10 +0000 MrsSRS 2261449@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For us it doesn't seem to matter what toys are out so much as how they're out. Last week I realized independent play had sort of disappeared so I stuck half our toys in the closet so the toy shelves are tidy, easy to access, and options are limited. Now independent play is back! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-toysactivities-keep-your-toddlers-interest-the-longest-age-25#post-2261447 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 06:59:12 +0000 looch 2261447@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Some ideas:<br /> Cutting food, the wood ones are nice and my son would cut and attach for a nice long time.<br /> Sorting box: I used a shoe box and cut some different sized holes in it and my son would put stuff in, take it out, start again</p> <p>We have this loud racing track, my son is 4.5 and now he uses it for his monster trucks: oops, looks like it isn't available anymore, but anything that's Fisher Price Little Zoomers is cool. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-toysactivities-keep-your-toddlers-interest-the-longest-age-25#post-2261367 Tue, 11 Aug 2015 22:44:10 +0000 dolphin 2261367@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD is a little over 2.5</p> <p>Keeps her attention the longest:<br /> Play doh<br /> Bubbles<br /> I'll play music on the iPad and she dances </p> <p>Things that she plays with for 5 min:<br /> Megablocks<br /> Coloring </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-toysactivities-keep-your-toddlers-interest-the-longest-age-25#post-2261135 Tue, 11 Aug 2015 15:55:06 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2261135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO will be 3 in September, and he could play for a while with:</p> <p>Megabloks - he loves building things and knocking them down, then rebuilding them. </p> <p>Mr. Potato Head - don't ask me why this is such a hit, but my MIL gave him one 2 weeks ago and it's non-stop play for him. He loves putting him together and taking him apart, wearing his glasses, making him look silly. </p> <p>Books - he reads quite a bit and this could occupy him for a full hour at times.</p> <p>Chalk on our driveway w/ trains - this is where he's most imaginative. He will draw something and tell you what it is, then draw tracks for his train to ride on. Then go get his train and run it along the track. </p> <p>Water - anything with water - his water table, his pool, watering the flowers, the sprinkler. Loves it!</p> <p>Running - if you chase him or blow bubbles, he'll run after anything! It doesn't matter how hot it is!</p> <p>Things he'll play with for 5 minutes:</p> <p>Coloring books - just not as into them as he is coloring with chalk outside</p> <p>Wooden blocks - he wants us to build him something but gets bored after 5 minutes.</p> <p>His Wagon - we'll try to take him for a walk and he immediately wants to get out, pull the wagon, then he's done and wants you to carry him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-toysactivities-keep-your-toddlers-interest-the-longest-age-25#post-2261089 Tue, 11 Aug 2015 14:59:00 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2261089@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is just past 2 (27 months) and seems bored with everything lately so I'm scavenging for ideas. Her longest favorites are free play blocks (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hape-E0409-Maple-Blocks/dp/B00712NYP8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1439323053&#038;sr=8-1&#038;keywords=hape+blocks" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Hape-E0409-Maple-Blocks/dp/B00712NYP8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1439323053&#038;sr=8-1&#038;keywords=hape+blocks</a>) - she's all about building towers lately, and a Disney match game (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Disney-Classic-Characters-Matching-Game/dp/B007DW6F34/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1439323102&#038;sr=8-1&#038;keywords=disney+match+game" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Disney-Classic-Characters-Matching-Game/dp/B007DW6F34/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1439323102&#038;sr=8-1&#038;keywords=disney+match+game</a>). This play table keeps her attention the longest (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/VTech-Touch-Learn-Activity-Desk/dp/B00KB8U1I2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1439323121&#038;sr=8-1&#038;keywords=vtech+play+table" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/VTech-Touch-Learn-Activity-Desk/dp/B00KB8U1I2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1439323121&#038;sr=8-1&#038;keywords=vtech+play+table</a>) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-toysactivities-keep-your-toddlers-interest-the-longest-age-25#post-2261001 Tue, 11 Aug 2015 14:13:07 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2261001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Magiclip and colouring right now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-toysactivities-keep-your-toddlers-interest-the-longest-age-25#post-2260999 Tue, 11 Aug 2015 14:11:24 +0000 daniellemybelle 2260999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Great thread! We really struggle with this (thus my "what besides TV" thread). Honestly when my LO gets absorbed in imaginative play, that's when she stays occupied the longest. This morning a Command hook was an airplane and she played with that for about 30 minutes straight. When I set up activities she's over it in 10 minutes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-toysactivities-keep-your-toddlers-interest-the-longest-age-25#post-2260943 Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:37:46 +0000 Alivoo01 2260943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: We have that track as well! He enjoys it, but I do hate how large of a foot print it is. That's why we keep it upstairs for him to play with. :P</p> <p>He's into balls, puzzles, and legos. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-toysactivities-keep-your-toddlers-interest-the-longest-age-25#post-2260929 Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:28:32 +0000 snowjewelz 2260929@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you have IG, follow busytoddler! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-toysactivities-keep-your-toddlers-interest-the-longest-age-25#post-2260923 Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:24:57 +0000 Mamasig 2260923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: I love those toys. I hate how much space they take up, but my son loves them too. We have a village going. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-toysactivities-keep-your-toddlers-interest-the-longest-age-25#post-2260922 Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:24:29 +0000 rosegold 2260922@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@charlotte: give them a play room. make sure it's nice and tidy. should give you at least an hour! :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-toysactivities-keep-your-toddlers-interest-the-longest-age-25#post-2260921 Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:23:52 +0000 Mamasig 2260921@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS1 is almost 3. He loves playing with most of the same things you mentioned. He loves tracks of all kinds. He likes the v tech go go tracks a lot. He mostly plays with cars and planes. He races gem or we race them together. He's also really into forts right now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-toysactivities-keep-your-toddlers-interest-the-longest-age-25#post-2260918 Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:21:35 +0000 hilsy85 2260918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Trains--I build the track and he can spent 20-30 min driving the trains around and talking to himself. If i then jump in for 5-10 min, he's good to go for another 20 min on his own.<br /> Cars--like matchbox size cars, he will also spend 20-30 minutes racing them around, lining them up, and engaging in great imaginative play<br /> Construction vehicles (bruder makes great ones, or he also loves little ones)--same as above. </p> <p>This toy, which I hate, but he loves:<br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/VTech-Wheels-Ultimate-Amazement-Playset/dp/B00KG3WYJQ/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1439317262&#038;sr=8-7&#038;keywords=v+tech" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/VTech-Wheels-Ultimate-Amazement-Playset/dp/B00KG3WYJQ/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1439317262&#038;sr=8-7&#038;keywords=v+tech</a></p> <p>Things that don't hold his attention independently:<br /> any arts and crafts (painting, coloring stickers)<br /> puzzles<br /> chalk/drawing<br /> blocks</p> <p>He'll be 3 in October. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-toysactivities-keep-your-toddlers-interest-the-longest-age-25#post-2260917 Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:20:29 +0000 littlebug 2260917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>D is 2.5. He would play golf outside with his plastic golf club set all day long if we'd let him. He also loves "baseball," which is him using the cat's toy to hit a balloon that we pitch to him. His train table is hit or miss - he will play for a second or he'll play for hours. Same with his He-Man toys (Hubs handed down his entire collection of He-Man action figures). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-toysactivities-keep-your-toddlers-interest-the-longest-age-25#post-2260916 Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:19:35 +0000 LuLu Mom 2260916@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>(she will be 3 in October) </p> <p>holds the longest:<br /> swimming pool<br /> tricycle<br /> play kitchen/food/cooking<br /> dolls<br /> dress up clothes</p> <p>5-10 minutes:<br /> Little people<br /> coloring/books<br /> trains<br /> matching games </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-toysactivities-keep-your-toddlers-interest-the-longest-age-25#post-2260908 Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:13:36 +0000 charlotte 2260908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like we have a lot of toys and things to do [and I'm always reading the threads asking for suggestions on these topics] BUT not much keeps my son interested for more than a couple minutes.</p> <p>Things he DOES love right now:<br /> -cars on ramps (little people city skyway ramp)<br /> -bubbles outside<br /> -books<br /> -puzzles<br /> -kinetic sand<br /> -lego trains<br /> -basketball/soccer</p> <p>Things I try and he spends less than 5-10 minutes on:<br /> -stickers<br /> -coloring<br /> -play kitchen<br /> -regular legos<br /> -train table [maybe I need to change the layout or let him start trying to do it?]<br /> -magnatiles [thinking of adding the expansion pack as I saw MrBee suggest to someone else..?]</p> <p>also wondering if a toy rotation would help........</p> <p>what is your 2.5 - 3 year old really into?? </p>