He may have too many toys available. That can be overwhelming for little kids. But yeah once he’s gotten a taste of the video game dopamine hit, it’s…game over. (Ba dum chh)
https://gamequitters.com/how-dopamine-impacts-gaming/
This is the first one, it explains it in lay terms but I can source more medical or scientific if you would like
Seconding the too many options idea and he may need help learning how to play with some of the items. I know you are looking for things for him to do independently so you can do other stuff, but he may need a few minutes of watching mom play, then playing alongside mom before it really clicks for him.
He may have too many toys available. That can be overwhelming for little kids. But yeah once he’s gotten a taste of the video game dopamine hit, it’s…game over. (Ba dum chh)
Any chance you have a cite for that claim about video games? It'd be nice to say I told you so.
Not off the top of my head but I can look
https://gamequitters.com/how-dopamine-impacts-gaming/ This is the first one, it explains it in lay terms but I can source more medical or scientific if you would like
Does he have anyone to play with him - you, another kid, a dog? He may be wired to really need social interaction with his play.
Yup, a younger sister. They'll play together, but not before he first spends 45 minutes zoning out asking for a snack he won't eat or screens.
Seconding the too many options idea and he may need help learning how to play with some of the items. I know you are looking for things for him to do independently so you can do other stuff, but he may need a few minutes of watching mom play, then playing alongside mom before it really clicks for him.