My DS is yet to play independantly, he actually doesn't really play with any of his toys unless i sit down and initiate a game, show him what to do with something etc and then as soon as i stop he stops. If i'm doing something else (chores, making food etc) he will follow me and watch me and then when he becomes bored (after not very long) will indicate he wants me to play with him, so we do. From what age do they generally become interested in toys and wanting to play with things by themselves? Not that i don't love playing with him but i have to fit getting everything done around the house in to the 2 hour window of time where he has a sleep and its just not working. I end up staying up til 1-2am getting stuff done because its the only time i can do things. Also he was very much like this as a baby too, he was never content lying on a playmat or in a rocker, so i always carried him to do things, he's way too heavy for that now.