Summer is upon us and kids are having more energy than ever- well, mine’s never ever slowed down, but seriously, with the hot season approaching so fast, playtime is everything that matters around here, and I am sure all of you mammas agree with me!
And from my own experience, at the age of 4-going-on-5, imaginary play, also referred to as pretend play, is number 1 amongst all games: experimenting with different sorts of roles and characters, from good to evil, from nice to bad, is when kids get to do so much learning. From exploring new attitudes, words and problems, to finding solutions, growing confidence, learning defence or boosting their creativity in play.
And the best part about it? They can start pretend play with pretty much any object they find. Seriously, my son can engage in imaginary play with swimming ear plugs, knives and forks, old cartons or pens…. But sometimes it’s way more fun when finding beautiful toys that spark their imagination and creativity! Here are some of the best toys for imaginary play I would recommend based on my son’s play preferences, that are so good for kids 3+ to help soar their imagination!
Plan Toys Green Dollhouse with Furniture
This one is for me, to be honest. I mean, just look at it! This dollhouses’ energy efficient design includes a wind turbine, a solar cell panel for generating electricity, a rain barrel for collecting rain, a bio facade, which uses the natural cycle of plant growth to provide shading, a blind that can adjust the amount of sunlight and air circulation. Also, recycling bins are included in the set. How cool is that? Play time + extra lessons on green living for the kids!
You can find it here.
Hape Wooden Hollhouse
ALSO FOR ME! Home for All Seasons. A two-sided roof, movable stairs, filled with furniture and families for endless hours of fun. A home for all seasons. Your Hape Family will love living in this versatile house all year round. Display the solar panels for those warm sunshine filled days or turn them over and you are ready to show your snow capped roof to the world. Fill with Hape Furniture and Happy Families and inspire children to participate in imaginative play and further their communication skills. Arrange and rearrange furnishings or the stairs; the choice is yours! Made from all natural products, with non-toxic paints and under the strictest quality and safety standards. The Hape All Seasons Dolls House features visually engaging finishes, modern fittings and easy open access to all rooms. Engaging in role play provides opportunities for children to build positive relationships with peers and adults through social play and explore the world around them.
You can find it here.
Hape Family Pets Wooden Dollhouse Animals
A great addition to any dolls house- because we do need pets, whether in reality or imaginary life. Here you get to choose from a rabbit, a dog, or a cat, but the lists are endless, just take a look. They are so adorable. Encourages imitative and imaginary play; promotes fantasy story telling, role playing, and creativity.
You can find it here.
Tender Leaf Toys Garden Wheelbarrow Set
For all the budding gardeners out there…a sturdy solid wood wheelbarrow complete with 3 seed packets, 3 flower pots with a sunflower, carrot and tomato plant. Water the plants with a watering can, tend with a trowel and cut the flower with the birdy secateurs. And then do all of that in real life, in your garden, and you’ll see how much the kids will love it! Turning fantasy into reality, that’s right!
You can find it here.
And besides wheelbarrows, the kids can enjoy a large variety of different toys, like: Weighing Scales, Chef’s Set, Doctor’s Set, Penguin’s Gelato Van, or Tool Benches…
Le Toy van Honeybake Collection Ice Cream & Treats Wooden Trolley
Roll up, Roll up! A classic barrow style ice-cream trolley with striped fabric canopy is just what every kids needs for summer time. Stimulating imaginative and creative play, the kids can now act as the ice cream vendors they go to every weekend for their favourite ice creams. Just set it up in your garden or in front of your house and let them play… and make ice cream, of course.
You can find it here.
Add to this the Wooden Ice Lollies Set or the Fisher-Price Cake Pop Set
