Last Updated on January 28, 2023 by ellen
Here are the best imaginative toys for kids to encourage pretend play. Find out why kids love playing with these imaginative play toys.
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Imaginative Toys for Kids
Pretend play is one of the key ways to encourage creative thinking in children. It allows them to explore different roles, experiment with new ideas, and use their imaginations to come up with creative solutions to problems.
The importance of imaginative play
Imaginative play should not be underestimated. Pretend play has been linked to improved academic performance, increased social skills, and enhanced emotional development.
What are open ended toys?
Open-ended toys are those that can be used in a variety of ways and offer endless play opportunities. This type of toy allows children to use their imaginations to come up with new ways to play, rather than being restricted by the toy’s intended use.
Some examples of open-ended toys include building blocks, dolls, cardboard boxes, and dress-up clothes.
Why are open ended toys important?
Open-ended toys are important because they encourage children to use their imaginations when playing. This type of play allows children to experiment with new ideas and roles, which can help them develop important social and emotional skills.
How to encourage creative play
You can do a few simple things to encourage creative play in your child.
First, provide plenty of open-ended toys for them to play with. Second, give them time and space to play without interruption. And third, resist the urge to tell them how to play with their creative toys – let them use their imaginations and come up with their own ways to play.
Promoting imaginative play will help young kids develop important skills. Your child’s imagination needs nourishing in the same way that you nourish their bodies.
You can encourage imaginary play with a few of these classic toys. Various imaginative toys are available on the market that can help kids engage in open ended play.
Favorite imaginative toys for kids
1. Dress-Up Clothes:
Kids love pretending to be someone else, and dress-up clothes are the perfect way to do that. Whether a princess dress or a firefighter uniform, dress-up clothes allow kids to step into someone else’s shoes and experience the world from a different perspective. Your child will love to play dress up with old Halloween costumes or mommy and daddy’s older clothes.
2. Play Houses:
Play houses provide the perfect setting for open ended play. Kids can pretend to be mommy or daddy cooking in the kitchen or set up a restaurant and serve their teddy bears and dolls. Playhouses encourage kids to use their imaginations to create different scenarios and situations.
3. Puppets:
Puppets or stuffed animals are another great way to encourage pretend play. Kids can put on shows for their family and friends or use puppets to act out stories they’ve read. Puppets also help kids develop fine motor skills as they manipulate them.
4. Toy Cars and Trucks:
Toy cars and trucks are a great way to promote pretend play because they can be used in many different ways. Kids can use them for racing each other, setting up obstacle courses, or even pretending to drive cross-country. Toy cars and trucks encourage kids to be creative and use their imaginations.
One of our favorite open ended toys is the Super Cityscape Transport Bucket Set. It’s suitable for ages three and up.
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The beautifully painted 80-piece set includes a freight train with two carriages, a light up inter-city battery powered train with two passenger cars, a fire truck, a crane, a taxi and even a plane! The full set also includes accessories for little ones to build a city from their imagination, like trees, a watch tower and two figures to travel throughout town.
With multiple ways to configure the wooden train track, the bucket set encourages fun engineering and imaginative play for little ones to explore. This set can be easily stored in its container for a simple clean up.
Your child will have so much fun with this set. There are so many different vehicles included, and older kids can even add their Matchbox cars or other types to use with this set. Buy it here.
5. Art Supplies:
Art supplies are a must for pretend play. They allow kids to be creative and express themselves in different ways. Whether painting a picture or making a sculpture, art supplies allow kids to explore their imaginations and create something unique. One of the best open ended toys is a coloring book or blank paper and crayons.
6 Dollhouses:
Dollhouses are the perfect pretend play toy for kids who love to play with baby dolls. Dollhouses provide a complete setting for doll play, including furniture, accessories, and people. And, dollhouses encourage kids to use their imaginations to create different scenarios and stories.
If your child enjoys playing house, they need the Rock and Slide House by Hape Toys. It’s suitable for ages three and up.
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Celebrate the holiday season with a dollhouse that comes alive with music! The enchanting dollhouse comes to life with fun music and sound effects that will entertain your kids for hours.
So much to do and so much to play with more than 25 accessories, place the figures on the special pressure pads to enable the fun music and sound effects! Buy it here.
7. Blocks:
Wooden blocks are another great pretend play toy because they can be used in so many different ways. Kids can build houses, towers, or even roads. Blocks encourage kids to use their imaginations to create different structures and designs.
8. Kitchen Sets:
Play kitchen sets are great for kids who love to pretend cook. They provide all the supplies needed to make a meal, including pots, pans, plates, and utensils. Play kitchen sets encourage kids to use their imaginations to create different dishes and meals.
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9. Farm Sets:
Farm sets are perfect for kids who love animal figures. They provide all the supplies needed to run a farm, including toy animals, fences, barns, and crops. Farm sets encourage kids to use their imagination to create different farm animals and grow crops.
10. Doctor Kits:
Doctor kits are perfect for kids who love to pretend to play doctor. They provide all the supplies needed to treat patients, including a stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, and thermometer. Doctor kits encourage kids to use their imaginations to diagnose and treat patients.
11 Magnetic Tiles:
We love magnetic tiles! They are perfect for kids who love to build. Magnetic tiles provide all the pieces needed to create different structures and designs. They are also great for teaching kids about shapes and colors.
Encouraging pretend play is a great way to help kids develop their creative thinking skills. These imaginative toys will help make pretend play fun and engaging for kids.
So, if you’re shopping for holiday gifts, these are some of the best imaginative toys I’ve seen this year for kids. You can encourage creativity and problem-solving skills by offering toddlers and children different toys to play with.
Related Reading
Finally, you may enjoy these articles.
- Why pretend play is important
- Toys to encourage creative play
- Best art easels for kids
- Art toys for 6 year olds
- Classic wooden toys for babies
Ellen is a mom of a 25-year-old son and 30-year-old daughter. She is Grandma to one adorable toddler. In what little spare time she has, she loves to read, watch movies, and check out the latest toys and games.