I've had the similar experience with the scolding. I could scold them and they'd go right back to doing the scolded behavior as soon as they stopped running away. I've found that they don't chill out until you get them some toys and a television lol. From my experience, the group of toys, the drum and the balloons have been the best (could be a situation by situation thing though). Mine don't seem to really care for the bubble maker, the toy ship, the art easel or stuff animals