Mel here! This category is so much fun because it uses all sorts of fun toys to explore dramatic play. We love that kids can use their imagination to explore their creative side and create real world scenarios with toys. You'll also be pleasantly surprised with the fact that even older kiddos still enjoy playing with imaginative toys when given the chance.
1. AirFort: There is something so special about shutting out the world and entering your own parent-free space when you are a kid. The Original AirFort has been a family favorite recently, where my kids and their friends can escape to whatever world they create, simply built by air! With limited assembly required, we can have the AirFort up in minutes and I don’t have to worry about putting away dozens of pillows and blankets. All you need is a standard fan to fill up your fort, and you are good to go!
2. Fishing Boat: You can’t always be at the lake in real life, but nothing is stopping your kids from going fishing with the Wonder & Wise Gone Fishing Boat! My girls take their boat out to the imaginary lake, ocean, or dock it on the sand at their imaginary beach! The wooden oar is so cute and we had to get the Gone Fishing accessory set to complete the experience. We are planning a fishing trip for next summer so this toy has been great preparation!
3. Washing Machine: Isn’t it funny how much kids love chores when they aren’t real chores? It is always a fight to get my kids to pick up their clothes, but when it comes to using their play washing machine, they can’t get enough! My older girls have a blast teaching their baby brother about laundry, sorting clothes with him in the baskets, and they let him shut the door and press the buttons to run the cycle. Who knew that a pretend washing machine would be so effective in bringing all three kids together?
4. Camper: When it comes to camping, our family is split. Camping is not something you would ever catch me doing, but my girls absolutely love going with their dad on occasion. Fortunately, I was able to bring the camping to them with the Wonder & Wise Camper Playhome! The cuteness of this tent cannot be overstated. The bright red and white canvas gives a vintage feel and the realistic hitch just adds to the magic! We have a blast roasting marshmallows over a pretend fire and telling scary stories.
5. Theater: If I had this theater tent growing up, I would have had a much easier time performing for my grandma whenever she asked! If your kiddos love the performing arts, this theater playhouse is an absolute must! It comes with four different backgrounds for the ultimate creative direction, and the plush microphone makes for the cutest performing accessory. We love to incorporate it into family nights, making each other laugh as we butcher different kinds of entertainment.
6. Grocery Store: My six year old is at that age where she is ready to live life like an adult, so finding toys that give her that “adulting” feeling is my current priority! I was so excited when I found the Melissa & Doug Grocery Store because my kids have so many food toys it is insane. Now they have a place to organize all their food, and actually shop for what they need! It comes with a realistic payment kiosk, a beeping scanner, and a conveyer belt, so my daughter feels like she is really working at a real job!
7. Kitchen: There are so many play kitchens on the market, so when I shop for one I have a list of priorities that I’m looking for. One major factor to consider when it comes to play kitchens is how many accessories they come with! I love that this Tiny Land play kitchen comes with so many accessories like a chef hat and apron, food, and kitchen tools! It is also so well equipped for its size, with a microwave, stove, sink, fridge and oven. It is a great option for a first play kitchen for your little one.
8. Target Shopping Cart: I knew I was preparing my girls early for their inevitable obsession with Target when I got them the mini Target shopping cart. Not only is it a realistic recreation of the life size ones, but it comes with a cup holder for their drink from the cafe, and target branded food items! My 4 year old takes her dolls shopping with only one item in mind, and ends up filling her cart every time, just like her mama.
9. Tool Bench: My 9 year old nephew started showing signs that he would be the engineer of the family at a fairly young age, so we knew we had to get him his own workbench ASAP. He loved learning about all the different tools and how they worked. Now that he has outgrown it himself, he can’t wait to introduce it to his toddler cousin and teach him all he knows! It is height-adjustable, which is so nice for growing boys and girls who want to use it for as long as possible.
10. SuperSpace: Get this…. Magnet tiles but life size! My kids went crazy over their Super Space set because they got to build their own magnetic fort that they could all easily play inside, and I went crazy over it because of how easy it is to store. The panels are so thin that they easily tuck away under a couch, bed, or in a closet. The windows are such a fun addition, and the fact that they are made out of recycled plastic bottles is enough for me to recommend it to everyone I know!
11. Vet Set: Our sweet dog had to go to the vet recently, which prompted a tsunami of questions from my girls about vets and how they work. I love this vet play kit because it includes so many tools for my girls to do a full examination on their stuffies. They’ve learned a lot about how animals can get sick, and it has made them more aware of helping to keep our dog healthy!
12. Play Stand: If I had to choose one playstand that checks the durability, versatility, and quality boxes while providing open-ended creative play, this Sarah’s Silks Playstand is it. This stand is meant to last generations, and based on our limited time with it, I believe it! My girls use the stand to create a cozy play space to read, color, display their toys, and so much more. It is a beautiful, timeless, centerpiece to any playroom!
13. Air Cottage: Forts are part of what makes childhood magical, and a blow up fort brings even more of the magic. This cottage-themed Air Fort makes my kids feel like they have their own house with their own rules. They’ll put their play kitchen in there and play house, keep it empty besides some dolls, and sometimes they have even had special sleepovers in there! All you need is a standard fan to hook it up to, and it blows up in seconds.
14. Barber Shop: This play barber kit is too funny and adorable to not recommend. My 6 year old gets a kick out of putting the fake beard on each of us family members, practicing her grooming skills. All of the supplies fit nicely in the duffle bag, and she likes to store the bag next to her dad’s real shaving kit. I can’t wait until my toddler is old enough to understand the toy and learn how to shave his own beard!
15. Wireless, Bluetooth Microphone: My girls love to be in the spotlight, and my oldest began showing interest in singing not too long ago, so I knew that she needed a good microphone to build her confidence and help her practice her singing! I love this wireless microphone because it has bluetooth and/or cable connectivity options, and there are so many different settings she can change to adjust her sound! With all the different color options, it feels professional and stylish at the same time!
16. Puppet Show: I love any toy that incorporates nostalgia, because I get to share in the magic! Puppet shows were so fun for my family to put on when we were younger, so this toy is super special to me. My girls will put on little shows for me after taking my tickets and selling me snacks through the designated windows, and I almost cry every time. We’ve even made their dad put on a little puppet show for them and it was the best night of their lives.
17. Shop/Cafe: Your little ones can become their own cafe owners with the most adorable cafe stand ever! We have found that our stand acts as a useful way to teach organization, keeping a space neat and tidy, and social interaction! We have even used the stand as a real lemonade stand for the girls to sell lemonade in the neighborhood, which was so fun for them. The details included, like the striped curtain, bell and the chalk board are too cute!
18. Play Couch Wraps: Play couches already provide endless play potential, but whenever you are offered the opportunity to step up your game, you take it! These velcro couch wraps have added so much to my kids’ imaginary play, and with how affordable they are, I had to get multiple. They take up no room at all, so they are the perfect way to encourage role playing without taking up any space!
19. Baby Care: My 4 year old loves her dolls. She plays with them all day every day, and I knew she would lose her mind with excitement when I opened the Baby Care Center. It has everything your nurturing doll mom needs all in one place: a high chair, changing station, bath, washing machine, sink, crib, and so much more. Melissa & Doug really did think of everything, so your kiddo’s dolls or stuffies will always get the royal treatment!
20. Cashier: We may be in a world of credit cards and smart phone pay, but it is so important to teach our kiddos how to count and handle cash! All three of my kids are obsessed with their pretend cash register for different reasons! My 6 year old is learning how to do simple math, so she loves to practice counting money and charging her little sister for things. My 4 year old loves to have her dolls handle the money, and my one year old loves the “cha-ching!” sound it makes! It is an awesome toy for any stage of development.
21. Playhouse: I swear this 5-in-1 playhouse was made for my family in mind. There is something for every kid, and they can’t get enough of it. The curtains provide privacy, the desk is perfect for my 6 year old who loves to draw, and the chalk board is used every single day by my 4 year old. What I love most about it is how little room it takes up despite all it has to offer.
22. Adventure Camper: Any child who loves outdoor adventures will be obsessed with the Adventure Camper. It is so realistic, with an interactive grill, stove, sink, and plenty of inside storage for all their food and condiments. They can pretend they are camping with friends, or that they are owners of a food truck! Whenever we have friends over for a bbq, our kids hop over to the camper and have their own little bbq.
23. Ikea Play Kitchen: Ikea offers an incredible budget-friendly play kitchen that we absolutely love as a starter kitchen! It has ample storage for food or utensils, a microwave, interactive stove, and a sink. I think the hooks are the cutest detail, hanging pots, pans, or other cooking tools! My favorite part is that it has adjustable legs, so it can grow with your little chef.
24. Snack Bar: Your family movie nights have been forever revolutionized. This snack bar has everything that any movie-goer needs to enjoy a new movie, and my kids get way more excited about movie nights now. Wooden candy, popcorn, drinks, hot dogs, and other accessories come with the set, and are so realistic and adorable! Sometimes we swap out the wooden food for the real thing to make my kids feel like they are at a real movie theater.
25. Play Tent: This easy-to-assemble play tent is not only adorable, but it is also super spacious. I was surprised how much we could fit in one space! My 4 year old doesn’t really nap anymore, but occasionally she is in desperate need of one. When I can’t get her to sleep in her bed, she will often fill her play tent with blankets and pass out in there. It is a magical, cozy space for kids of all ages to enjoy!
26. Doctor Accessories: My older two girls are at the ages where they do not look forward to going to the doctor’s office, so I got them this doctor’s play kit to learn what it is that doctors do and show that they have no reason to be scared of them. We learned together what all the tools do, and the girls practiced on each other for a while, taking turns being the doctor! It was too cute going to the doctor afterwards because their view totally changed, and all their fear was replaced with curiosity and excitement.