age inappropriate toys

[kosh]

a bit of a rant really

DH bought LO a massive (simil) Lego set to build construction machines. I said I didn't think it would be for his age but he said it was at a really good price so he didn't want to let it go and that it only said 'not for 0-3'.
It looks great, but as soon as I saw it I knew it was waaaay too difficult and suggested to keep it for when LO is older. DH couldn't help it and gave it to LO today. LO got super excited but it's so difficult, even DH cannot build anything and LO is sitting next to him getting impatient and frustrated!

I had a closer look and it says '5+'. I don't pay too much attention to those labels for some toys, but in this case it was obvious t was not for him

is your DH aware of things like this?

 

[twobecome3]

my husband is actually the more... fussy one about these things!

at age 3 tho too young to be building model machines really?? lol. just move aside dad and let the kid play with the lego

 

[kosh]

He's just turned 3. The set has over 1000 (tiny) pieces.

It's been over an hour and he (DH) only managed to build a house

 

[felix555]

This sounds like the kind of stupid thing I would do

I get so excited about the toy and don't pay attention to the age. My husband is much more sensible than I am!

Most my LO's toys are 3yrs plus but 5 is a massive leap when it comes to toys!

 

[MummyMana]

Sounds like he bought it for himself ^^

 

[jd83]

I agree, he bought that because he wanted it, lol. We've bought toys outside of their age range but I always look over the toy before buying to be sure it's something not dangerous for their age, and something they'll enjoy and be able to figure out how to play with.

3 is definitely too young for such a specific lego set. My son will be 5 and still isn't ready for one with that many pieces involved in building something. We got him a huge bucket of small lego at Christmas, and both boys like playing with them, but definitely wouldn't have the patience for building something with them that took so many pieces and so much time to do it

 

[AngelofTroy]

Micah has lots of our old Lego, some of it is the much older technic stuff! Of course he's not building the complicated things from the instructions but he loves all of it and we sit and make things up together, he loves making 'snow scooters' at the moment which are basically cars with skis instead of wheels. All our sets are jumbled up so he's never felt he needs to build one thing in particular he just explores within his abilities. Small pieces are good for dexterity!

 

[kosh]

to be honest I don't think he bought it for himself, as he's tired and fed up with it already.
he just did not think. full stop

I'm annoyed because he was supposed to be looking after LO while I do some work, but LO is bored and coming to me to play!

 

[minties]

We have an extensive lego collection. Thomas played with it from 18 months (2x4 bricks and base plates) and the kids have their own lego collection now. Sophie enjoys it.

I think 3 is absolutely fine for supervised lego play.

 

[Zephram]

I think age 3 is fine for Lego. I really wouldnt worry about building the specific items you're supposed to make with it now, I'd just let him loose and let him build walls, houses, castles, towers, etc.

 

[zorak]

I think age 3 is fine for Lego. I really wouldnt worry about building the specific items you're supposed to make with it now, I'd just let him loose and let him build walls, houses, castles, towers, etc.

Exactly this, small bits are great for dexterity. We never stick to Lego rules and just use our imagination.

 

[kosh]

I think age 3 is fine for Lego. I really wouldnt worry about building the specific items you're supposed to make with it now, I'd just let him loose and let him build walls, houses, castles, towers, etc.

Exactly this, small bits are great for dexterity. We never stick to Lego rules and just use our imagination.

oh, I don't stick to the rules either but believe me, this was not for a 3 year old. The pieces are so tiny that to be able to build a 5cm tower you'd need 20 of them!
It's something like this, but 4x more blocks:
https://www.amazon.com/Best-Lock-Construction-240pc-Excavator-Truck/dp/B002C1AYG0

 

[minties]

Are you worried that it's too hard to use, or that it is a choking hazard? Sophie is 2 and getting pretty good, her collection includes small parts. She's playing with it right now.

https://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p666/teddynorman/20150202_105353_zpsl0rdaqqq.jpg

These sorts of parts are often too fiddly but she tries.

https://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p666/teddynorman/20150202_105256_zps4o4dpcdw.jpg

 

[kosh]

Are you worried that it's too hard to use, or that it is a choking hazard? Sophie is 2 and getting pretty good, her collection includes small parts. She's playing with it right now.

https://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p666/teddynorman/20150202_105353_zpsl0rdaqqq.jpg

These sorts of parts are often too fiddly but she tries.

https://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p666/teddynorman/20150202_105256_zps4o4dpcdw.jpg

I'd say the set consists 60% of pieces like these ^^. the rest are just slightly bigger. all black, yellow and grey.
I'm not worried about the choking hazard, he stopped doing that, but it seemed to me that LO was only interested in the digger/truck as a final product and not in building anything with the blocks (and he loves building). He is very aware of rules and instructions at the moment and is constantly asking if something is done the right or wrong way.
I guess I could still encourage him to try playing with it with no rules, but I do not think he'll like that now.