My 4 yr old son is going through a change in play style. He rarely plays with toys any more. He is just into imaginary play. We had all his Little People toys set up as a town in his playroom and he rarely went in there. Since I moved all of his Little People toys to shelves he has been going in there all the time.

It is so hard to pack up the Little People toys but I really don't think he will play with them again. He hardly played with his new musical ones. Is it time to put them in the attic?

In addition to his LP toys he is rarely playing with his trucks, John Deere stuff, and other toys.

What does your 4 yr old play with and what do you think is good for in a playroom for a child of that age? Any thoughts on decorating and organizing the playroom would be great.

Thanks

By Mommmie on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 09:50 am:

How close is he to being 5? Is he starting Kindergarten in the fall?

By Sunny on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 09:56 am:

Hi Lucinda and Welcome to Momsview!

I happen to have a 4 yr old boy. He is very into painting, drawing, puzzles, books, creating with playdoh and clay. He has a wide range of interest in indoor activities, so it's really hard to narrow it down. We also have a ton of toys here since he has 1 younger brother and 3 older brothers. I've found that most toys get played with for a short time and then sit on the shelf until I decide to get rid of them and then suddenly they can't part with them!
Recently, he started actually playing video games, whereas before he wasn't as sure what to do. He also loves playing at the computer and doing somersaults.
I hope that helps a little. I'm sure there will be lots more suggestions!

By Debbie on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 12:30 pm:

I have two boys 3-1/2 and 5-1/2. We have a playroom in our new house and it actually has a jungle theme from the previous owner. It is blue with a cute jungle theme boarder. My oldest is really into snakes and things, so he loves it. My boys love to play with their wooden train set. I think they play with it more then anything else. Also, my oldest is really into rescue heros, so we got him the command center for Christmas. Other then that, we mainly have musical instruments set up. They have drums, guitars and a keyboard that they love to play with. Now, my oldest loves to go into our basement were we have a basketball goal and soccer goals set up. He is really into sports. He also loves to color, draw and do art projects. I am going to buy him a desk to put in is room.

Hope this helps.

By Cinnie on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 03:11 pm:

He turned 4 in November. Since he has a late birthday he won't start school this fall.

It is kinda funny but he has never really asked for any toys but last week he asked me for a video game system. I was really surprised. I would have no idea on which one to get.

When we moved I put up a 4 ft jungle border in his playroom and I purchased jungle style folding cushion chairs. These he still likes. I have been thinking about making a jungle theme reading corner. Ikea has these great big leaves that attach to the wall, and I think it would be cool to lay under the leaves reading.

He has Rescue Heroes and a train table These are the toys I keep in the living room.

I am seriously thinking of taking most of his toys to the basement. Then if he asks for one we can get it but otherwise it not cluttering up his playroom.

Toy sorting is just so hard.

By Trina~moderator on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 03:35 pm:

My kids are 5 & 7. We also have a playroom, and I find it's quite helpful to rotate toys. I store them in the basement and switch them around from time to time.

By Feona on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 05:16 pm:

My son is 4. He likes rescue heros ...
Some boys love the trains sets. Mine does if I play with him.

I guess I prefer to do an art project with him if
I am going to play with him. More interesting for me even if it is a mess.


If you have a toy chest I might try hiding toys for a while to see if he might like them again in the future. I did this and he was asking for his drum in 2 weeks.

I have a table set up for drawing all the time. He loves to draw. Play doh. Paint. Anything messy. He won't play by himself though unless it is computer games. He loves computer games. Leapster is a handheld game for 4 year olds.

I set up a cheap puppet theater on ebay and bought some puppets because ds is afraid of puppets. We are doing puppets alot. Making puppets. Playing with puppets.

I try to get not too messy art projects to do with him like foam art.

He also like ello


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/ref=dp_sr_00/103-1543685-3660629

Something interesting I can play with him with.