How to encourage imaginative play with these gifts

Imaginative play is crucial to child development. It can help your little one reach developmental milestones whilst having fun. For some children, imaginative play comes easy whereas others prefer the help of props and toys to help them explore their imagination. This post shares a range of gift ideas to encourage your child with imaginative play.

Why is imaginative play important?

Imaginative play provides a fun way for children to explore and make sense of the world around them. It fosters creativity and encourages the development of a range of skills, including problem-solving and innovation as well as fine and gross motor skills.

Through imaginative play, children can also improve their language and communication skills whilst developing key social skills such as cooperation, delegation and sharing with others. 

Through re-enacting different roles and scenarios, children also learn how to understand new emotions, such as empathy, whilst practising self-regulation.

Encourage imaginative play with these gifts:

Toys, accessories and props for imaginative play can be enjoyed at every age and stage of childhood.  These gifts are loved for years, with children coming back to them regularly as their skills expand. Here are the best types of gifts for encouraging imaginative play…

1. Dolls pram and baby

Family scenarios are extremely popular when it comes to imaginative play. Perhaps because children love to mimic the most important people in their life – mum and dad! With a dolls pram and baby, your little one can engage in pretend play that helps them develop social and emotional skills. 

Plus, pushing, pulling and manoeuvring a dolls pram can also help refine a child’s physical development by enhancing balance, coordination and other gross motor skills. Dolls prams can even help toddlers with walking.

Dolls prams are timeless gifts loved by girls and boys. When shopping, look for a high-quality dolls pram that can withstand wear and tear and will last for years to come.

2. Fancy dress outfits and accessories

Fancy dress outfits and props are an excellent way to promote healthy and fun imaginative play. Children of all ages LOVE to take on the role of their favourite characters. 

Fancy dress enables children to explore aspects of themselves they may not yet be aware of, whilst developing skills such as empathy and bravery. When choosing fancy dress outfits, the choices are endless…

• Cartoon characters
• Superheroes
• Disney princesses
• Real-life professions i.e. doctor, builder, vet, astronaut, fireman
• Mythical characters/creatures i.e. dragons, wizards, fairies
• Other popular characters i.e. pirates, cowboys, clowns 

3. Cash register

A toy cash register is a firm favourite amongst children. Children love pretending to be shopkeepers or grocery shoppers as it is something they see regularly and want to explore in their own way. 

It also offers an opportunity to strengthen basic maths skills by helping children learn about money and how to count it correctly. Most toy cash registers come with necessary accessories including play money (notes and coins), a play credit card and a manual scanner.

Build a fort kit

Children love building forts (adults do too!). Of course, a fort kit isn’t necessary to build a fort. But if you would rather keep your bed linen, duvets and towels where they belong, we recommend buying a ‘build a fort’ kit.

Most fort kits come with a number of interconnecting poles and connector balls that can be put together in a range of ways to create forts of different sizes and styles. 

Building the fort provides opportunities for teamwork, concentration, coordination skills and fine motor skills. Plus, it provides an opportunity to introduce your little one to STEM skills (science, technology, engineering and math).

Once built, your child’s imagination will run wild with ideas as they enjoy time in their castle… tent…rocket ship… playhouse… cave… pirate ship…

Railway sets

A railway set with toy trains is another timeless classic that provides endless hours of imaginative fun. Railway sets can be enjoyed alone, which makes them great for keeping your little one occupied when at home.

Trainsets are particularly great for improving fine motor skills, language skills and storytelling skills (children love to make up scenarios based on their miniature trains!).

Finger paint

Yes, it’s messy – but finger painting is such a fun way to promote creativity and imagination! Unsurprisingly, children adore getting messy with finger paints. Even babies love it as the bright colours and new texture provide a sensory experience. 

But that’s not the only reason to give them an art-based gift. Finger painting fosters experimentation and is an effective way to help your little one understand colours and how to mix them.