I know exactly how you feel! So often our children are convinced, and end up convincing us, that the only thing that interests them is Nintendo, game boy or computer games... Don't believe them!!

Because our kids are still developing, parents need to provide games , toys and books that help children in 4 critical areas of learning - physically,mentally, socially & creatively.

Once a child enters the school age years, they become more independent and develop more individualized preferences; one child loves horses and another is fascinated by outer space. It is important to keep these interests in mind when choosing toys. Try to match the game with your child's interests but remember that the entire world can be your child's classroom.

Sports help develop a child's large muscles as well as important social skills; math can be explored in the sandbox by measuring, pouring, and building; board games help foster family togetherness, create lines for communication & observation and give children a chance to practice cooperation & sportsmanship while building their strategic, logical, & creative thinking skills; construction toys are a great way to improve their creative thinking and problem solving skills.

Try to set aside time to play with your child. Try board games (of his level), building toys, or an imaginary game (convert the underneath of the kitchen table into a cave by throwing a blanket over it).

Do limit the amount of electronic games he plays - they can be great teachers of eye hand coordination & problem solving but do very little to help develop social skills & foster creative thinking which will be vital for his future development. Set ground rules in terms of when you will allow him to play them, and give him specific suggestions of other toys/games he can play with at all other times.  You can make a rule that  if he complains of being bored, he will loose electronic privileges. It may sound sad, but we have come to a point where we need to teach our children how to play!