Pretend Parents Toys

Pretend Parents Toys

Playing pretend is one of the most significant milestones in a child's development. Children learn so many things by playing pretend, including empathy, how the world works, problem-solving, and make-believe. As children grow older, their imagination broadens. Generally, toddlers between 18 and 24 months first begin playing pretend by emulating tasks their parents do, like talking on the phone and using keys to unlock doors. As children grow older, they become more imaginative, developing storylines, characters, and situations.

Pretend cooking is very popular with children because it is something they likely see every day. Children's biggest influences are their parents, so doing something their parents do, even if it is pretend, is rewarding. Pretend cooking parents toys can be very realistic, down to the settings on a stovetop and cutlery. However, it is for children, so these toys do not work in the same way as adult cooking tools and appliances do. Children can have fun with plastic food items, like apples and bananas, accessories like plates and pots, and appliances like refrigerators and ovens.

Teatime is another popular children's pretend scenario. Kids see their parents and grandparents drinking coffee or tea and talking, and want to join in. Teatime is a great scenario because it creates a calm and entertaining situation for children. Pretend teatime parents toys often include plastic tea sets and snacks. Depending on the child's age, using toys that cannot easily break are better than using actual glass or porcelain tea sets, where children could potentially get hurt.

Another everyday activity that children see their parents doing is laundry. Children know it is something adults do, so they want to master it. Children learn fine motor skills in many play pretend parents activities, and laundry is no different. Clotheslines, washers, and dryers are all popular laundry toys. Children can use clothespins to hang their clothes or their doll's clothes.

Other popular pretend parents toys include vacuums, lawn mowers, and prams. Toys like keys and mobiles are popular for toddlers. At around two years old, children prefer their toys to be actual representations of objects. For example, a three year old may use a banana as a phone, but a younger child does not understand representational or symbolic thinking, so they may need the phone to look like a phone.