Kitchen
A toy kitchen is a must-have for boys and girls alike. From the time a baby can sit or crawl, they have a driving need to get into your kitchen cabinets and clang the pots and pans with zeal. A toy kitchen with plastic pots and pans fills this need, too, and it keeps your own kitchen stock clean and ready for actual cooking. Older babies and toddlers can also engage in pretend play with a toy kitchen, and as they cook plastic eggs and bananas (together in the same pan, naturally) and serve them to their dolls, friends, or you, they will learn the joy of doing for others. They’ll also reinforce safety skills by telling friends and stuffed animals about the hot oven and the sharp knives. Kitchen sets range from very simple folding sets to elaborate, multi-sided designs. It’s a matter of space and preference on these toys.
Fun Folding Kitchen by Fisher-Price
Ride-On Toy
I never thought much about how a ride-on toy was stimulating my daughter’s imagination until she announced to me one day that she was taking her baby doll to Pizza Hut. As she hopped onto the toy, she waved goodbye and said, “we’ll be back in a little while, Momma!” The toy in this story is a simple walk/ride toy. It has a high, sturdy bar on the back for beginning walkers, and a seat with storage underneath for the older toddler. Regardless of the type of riding toy you choose, this toy is sure to get a child’s imagination going. Children strengthen their safety skills by teaching dolls to buckle up, and develop their sense of independence by pretending to go on adventures on their own.
Cozy Coupe II Car by Little Tikes
Help Your Child Build Skills Through Interaction
There you have it. A simple list of classic baby toys that make an ordinary playroom into imagination paradise. Don’t forget that one of the most important encouragements of imagination play is parent interaction. Pretend with your child. Ask questions about their pretend games and get them thinking about what might happen next in their imaginary scenarios. Not only will the time spent together build your relationship, it will teach your child more about human interaction and help them build on their imagination play skills.
