This post is sponsored by Melissa & Doug, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board.
"Pretend play may seem like all fun and games, but it’s actually serious business for kids’ cognitive and social development. From language development to social skills to emotional regulation, the benefits of pretend play check just about every developmental box.
Along with tapping into their creativity, pretend play gives kids a chance to test out skills like teamwork, sharing, empathy, and problem-solving as they explore make-believe scenarios with others—real or imaginary. And studies have actually shown that pretend play increases language usage as kids explore different tenses, adjectives, and other aspects of language.
As a parent, it can be exhausting to be pulled into pretend play with our kids, but there are ways to support it that allow for our kids to make-believe with little intervention from us. Setting up an environment with open-ended toys that allow for creative exploration is a great start. Read on for five of our favorite ways to get your kids playing imaginatively.
1. Reenact What Caregivers Do
Children learn by watching the world around them and then imitating it. Since their earliest interactions are with their own parents or caregivers, you’ll often see kids emulating the everyday actions of the adults in their lives. It’s also common for kids to sort through their emotions by re-enacting their daily routines or even new experiences, like helping parents put groceries away or going through their first day at school.
In our house, the pretend play sets from Melissa & Doug are by far the most well-loved by both my toddlers (as well as by me). The very best part about Melissa & Doug toys is that my kids never get sick of them. Nothing is worse than a shiny new toy being a hit one week, only to be tossed aside the next. I’ve seen firsthand how the open-ended nature of their play sets captures their attention and how much use they’ve gotten over the last couple of years.
Melissa & Doug
Use code EVERYMOM20 to get 20% off any Melissa & Doug product!
Melissa & Doug
Use code EVERYMOM20 to get 20% off any Melissa & Doug product!
2. Explore Social Skills
I can always count on pretend food toys to keep my kids playing together and inventing new imaginary scenarios to act out. My kids try on new roles and take on levels of responsibility and control that they don’t usually have, like pretending to be daddy cooking dinner or mommy ordering food at a restaurant.
There’s no shortage of options to choose from with Melissa & Doug pretend food toys. We have both the Top & Bake Pizza Counter and Cool Scoops Ice Creamery, and I rotate them out every couple months in our playroom. They love taking our orders and, lately, they’ve even started pretending to be delivery people and use a pretend grocery cart as their preferred delivery vehicle (yes, it is adorable).
Melissa & Doug
Use code EVERYMOM20 to get 20% off any Melissa & Doug product!
Melissa & Doug
Use code EVERYMOM20 to get 20% off any Melissa & Doug product!
Melissa & Doug
Use code EVERYMOM20 to get 20% off any Melissa & Doug product!
Melissa & Doug
Use code EVERYMOM20 to get 20% off any Melissa & Doug product!
3. Dress Up With Career Costumes
Costumes aren’t just for Halloween. Pretending to be someone else helps children develop an understanding of theory of mind, which is the ability to recognize that other people’s thoughts and beliefs may be different from our own—a key aspect of positive social experiences with others.
Pretend play also gives kids an opportunity to safely explore different scenarios and emotions—like bravery as they pretend to be a firefighter or empathy as they play nurse and care for patients. Plus, you may notice your little one using words or phrases you weren’t even aware they knew as they pretend to be a dentist or veterinarian.
Melissa & Doug
Use code EVERYMOM20 to get 20% off any Melissa & Doug product!
Melissa & Doug
Use code EVERYMOM20 to get 20% off any Melissa & Doug product!
Melissa & Doug
Use code EVERYMOM20 to get 20% off any Melissa & Doug product!
4. Promote Creative Thinking
Pretend play like applying makeup or cutting hair for others (even if the others are imaginary friends or stuffed animals) helps kids improve creativity, fine motor skills, and social bonding—skills all parents hope to see their kids develop.
5. Connect with the Outdoors
There is a wealth of information kids (and adults) can learn from nature. Outdoor play is not only an engaging way to foster a love for science and the natural world but also a completely new setting for pretend activities. Melissa & Doug’s new National Park Foundation Collection celebrates nature with pretend toys that are specifically designed to spark wonder and inspire kids to care for the great outdoors all year round. What’s more, with this collection you can support the parks through play! This collection is a dream come true for active kids and parents.
Melissa & Doug
Use code EVERYMOM20 to get 20% off any Melissa & Doug product!
Melissa & Doug
Use code EVERYMOM20 to get 20% off any Melissa & Doug product!
This post is sponsored by Melissa & Doug, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend brands we genuinely love.