Imaginative play is incredibly beneficial for children, helping them learn valuable skills that they’ll use for the rest of their lives. While the best pretend play sessions don’t require much equipment or fancy set-ups, certain toys can encourage children to unlock their imagination and make the most of their childhood whimsy.

Today, we’ll explore the best gifts for imaginative play that will actually be used and cherished for longer than a few hours.

A lovely, loving companion

The single most powerful gift for imaginative play is a companion who can embark on all your child’s adventures alongside them. A doll, soft animal, or plush teddy bear are all excellent options, which can all be given a name and purpose for being.

Companion toys can anchor your child’s story, giving their imaginative world a consistent resident, point of view, and character whose preferences and reactions the child knows by heart.

Dinkum Dolls all come with a name, personality and backstory to spur imagination and encourage children to build a secret world around them. We start the story, but your child can build upon it for years to come.

Small figures and collectables

Pocket-sized figures that can be carried and incorporated into any game are among the most frequently used gifts across children of all ages.

They don’t require elaborate setups and can be incorporated into almost any game, making them incredibly versatile and great value for money. Look for figures that have names and belong to a world that your child can expand and develop as they play.

Open-ended props and accessories

Toys with no specific purpose are often the best for children with big imaginations, as they let them lead playtime rather than having to stick to the rules. Great examples include:

• A tea set

• A small wooden basket full of household items

• A length of fabric

• A set of small wooden or fabric food items

• A toy pram or stroller

• A doctor’s kit

Instead of being confined to rules and expectations, the child is in charge of deciding who’s invited to the tea party, who their patient is, and where they’re going on today’s expedition. The toys are just props.

Art supplies

Gifts that let children make things and explore their creativity are essential for imaginative play. With quality art supplies, they can draw maps, decorate sets, and write about their stories in a journal.

The best art supply kits include:

• Crayons

• Felt-tip pens

• Stickers

• Stamps

• Fun craft scissors

• Glue

• Craft paper

• Washable paints

An art kit is one of the best-value imaginative play gifts, as you can build one within your budget. They can also be used to create completely unique designs time and time again.

A world to build

One of the most enduring gifts of imaginative play is the ability to establish a world the child can keep adding to. This can include a range of characters, accessories that extend the play, and a consistent universe that the child comes to know well.

Examples include:

• Dollhouse with a mini kitchen set and a family of dolls
  

• A car multistorey with car figurines
  

• Stables with toy horses and a rider
  

• A cafe set with mini cups and cakes that can be served to dolls

These gifts grow with the child, and over time, they have a whole world they can return to, no matter how much time passes between playtimes.

Gifts to avoid for imaginative play

Be cautious about toys that leave little to the imagination, such as games with rigid rules, intricate backstories, or that don’t offer room for interpretation. The more a toy talks, lights up and performs, the less work the imagination has to do.

Also, look for toys that can handle being well-loved. The best toys for imaginative play are ones that will survive the roughest of play sessions and live to see another day.

Foster creativity with Dinkum World

Every character from the Dinkum World arrives with a name, a personality, and a backstory. We include these details as an invitation for owners to build upon: your own story that no one else can replicate.

Touch the rainbow over a Dinkum's heart. Close your eyes. You're already there.

Explore the Dinkum family at dinkumdolls.com