Pretend play is a very important part of a child's development at every age and stage. From playing with dolls to dress-up, pretend play activities open up a world of make-believe, creativity and imagination. Even the simplest games help to develop important social skills, like sharing and taking turns. Encourage pretend play by setting up a kid-friendly space with all the right accessories.

First, designate an area for pretend play; it can be an entire room or a corner of a family space. Add a child-sized table and chairs to be used for a tea party, as a grocery store counter or even as a teacher's desk. Hang a corkboard or chalkboard and add plenty of art supplies, like chalk and construction paper, for your kids to create an elaborate backdrop for each activity. Add a soft rug on the floor where kids can sprawl out and begin to imagine their next adventure.

Next, add props that inspire games of dress-up, role-play and other pretend play activities. Store costumes and hats in a storage trunk that's easily accessible, and outfit the space with miniature versions of adult-sized appliances, including play kitchens and a kid-sized tool bench. Add smaller accessories to really make their activities come to life, such as play money, puppets, dolls, school supplies and toys.

Finally, encourage your kids' creativity by giving them plenty of time to play. Keep some of their latest creations in tact for a few days, like a secret fort made of sheets or a grocery store checkout center, and watch their stories take on new shapes each day. When children are ready to move on to the next big adventure, add a few new props to continually spark their imagination.