How to get a toddler to play by themselves

What people tried

Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.

1. 1
   Playing Uno, Candyland, blocks, and magnatiles together with the child
2. 2
   Teaching the older child to play with the younger sibling
3. 3
   Acting boring and doing independent activities nearby while the child plays
4. 4
   Setting up engaging independent activities like water play or animal figurines
5. 5
   Using a visual timer and building up tolerance for independent play in short increments
6. 6
   Involving kids in adult activities like cooking instead of changing activities to be kid-oriented
7. 7
   Setting up enclosed play areas like large playpens in the kitchen
8. 8
   Involving children in daily chores like cooking, gardening, and laundry
9. 9
   Using toys that encourage solo exploration like water play, toy cars, and audio players
10. 10
    Setting a timer for 15 minutes of independent play while reading a book nearby

In their words

Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.