Parents of Thomas/Brio Train Fanatics... Q for you

[asilversun]

We have a bucketful of Thomas and Brio trains and tracks that my 3 yr old DS still hasn't shown any interest in. I'm itching to put it all away (it was a hand-me-down from my nephew - thankfully we haven't invested a penny in it!) but I don't want to do it prematurely.

If your child is or was a train nut, when did it peak, and when did it fade? I'm wondering if we're still in the window where he might get interested, or if it's likely that the fact that he has no interest now means it won't develop.

Thanks!

[goldengbridge]

DS started loving Thomas right before he turned 3 after he watched a DVD we got for him. He is literally obsessed now! I think theres still time for your DS to become interested. Does he watch the show?

[asilversun]

He liked the show for a little while last year (when he was about 2-1/2) but then he lost interest. The funny thing is, if there's a train table in a toy store he won't leave it alone, but at home he's just not into it. But I suppose you're right - it's worth leaving out for a little while longer. Thanks. :)

[dziner]

My DS became interested in trains shortly before his 2nd birthday, so we got him a Melissa and Doug set and then he was given a few Thomas-brand trains (compatible) from friends. He's totally obsessed, as are his other 2 yo buddies. My 4 yo DD wasn't into it at all until her brother got the set but now she does enjoy playing with the set from time to time.

[Pookie]

I'd say DS got really into them around 18 months. He still plays with the track now at 3 years, but is more into cars than trains. OTH, my cousin's 3 year old just got into them about 6 months or so ago.

[Renrel]

DS age 4.5 like his trains OK but they were never a passion. He gets into them for a week or so when we pull them out. He likes making the track more than playing trains. We keep meaning to buy a bit more straight track so he can build more interesting tracks when we do pull them out.

DH has a theory that boys all have a play major and minor and the 4 catagories are: builder boys, ball boys, wheel boys and dinasaur boys. Each boy has a major passion and a minor passion. He will play in the other "majors" when they are around and other are playing but they are not the "go to toy." Our son majors in building. He loves toys where he can build things and even turn bedtime into a game of building new beds out of pillows. He minors in ball, loving most sports games. He likes trains and cars and has barely any interest in dinasaurs. Most people who we have shared this theory with seem to agree that it works, though I am sure there are exceptions.

[OctoberPrincess]

DS enjoyed playing with trains but really wasn't into his wooden set at home until just before 3 1/2. He's never really been into the Thomas show but he loves the wooden trains and tracks now, every morning he wakes up his trains and every night he kisses them goodnight. He makes a new track configuration almost daily and is very interested in collecting new peices recently so we are going to get him a train table for his 4th birthday in June.