Ask any educator, parent, grandparent, or childhood expert, and it’s pretty much unanimous that imaginative play is imperative to being a kid. Also referred to as “make believe,” “pretend play,” or “dramatic play,” it involves kids expressing themselves through role playing in specific situations, telling fictional stories, and getting creative with objects they have at home or in the classroom. 

It’s not just fun; Imaginative play has many benefits for kids in regards to social skills, language development, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Oh, and how cute is it when you overhear your child talking to their toys? That’s pretend play at its finest, folks.

Best yet? Sometimes kids don’t even need toys or lots of “stuff” to engage in pretend play. Give them an Amazon box, leftover Christmas wrapping paper, a few markers, or literally anything you have lying around at home, and odds are your kid can turn it into something. Your trash is your little one’s treasure!

Here, we present 22 imaginative play ideas for your son or daughter (think preschool to early elementary age), perfect for those cold winter days when you’re stuck in the house and running out of screen-free ways to entertain. Sure, your kids have probably tried a few of them already, but keep this list handy when you need inspiration — and just a few minutes to yourself.

• Throw a birthday party, picnic, or tea party for stuffed animals or dolls

• Host a “hair salon” for dolls (or willing younger siblings who are just happy to be involved)

• Turn a towel or blanket into a superhero cape

• Transform a delivery box into a vehicle such as an airplane, car, firetruck, or spaceship

• “Do the laundry” by turning a box into a washer and dryer. Feed socks and other small clothing items through a small opening

• Play “store” with fake money and an optional toy cash register by “shopping” for items around the home, each with its own price

• Build a city with Legos or blocks

• Turn blankets and couch cushions into a fort or tent

• Plant a play garden with flowers and plants made out of paper or cardboard

• Play detective with a magnifying glass and look for specific objects throughout the home

• Make like a plumber or cable guy and “fix” a broken toilet or wires 

• Act out a day at school with one kid as the teacher and others as students

• Stage a visit to a museum or library using items and books in your home as the displays

• Use a hairbrush as a microphone and put on a concert or show

• Act out a made-up storyline with Barbies, action figures, or stuffies

• Play cops and robbers, where the bad guys end up in a fake jail

• Cook an imaginary meal with a play kitchen and make believe ingredients

• Clean the house with a kid-friendly broom, mop, or dustpan

• Play doctor/dentist and patient with (safe!) tools found around the house (and repurpose those leftover face masks lying around from the pandemic)

• Role play as a veterinarian using stuffed animals as the patients

• Create a menu and serve pretend food as a waiter or waitress

• Play “office” and have your child use a notepad and pencil to take phone messages and do their work

As you can see, imaginary play ideas are endless, but hopefully this list inspires you and your child to come up with some more of your own! Any others to add?

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