Pretend Play Gift Ideas to Spark the Imagination

We know how important it is for your child to have time to play and use their imagination. At Pottery Barn Kids, you'll find a range of pretend play gift ideas designed to encourage a child's ability to practice their language, social and problem-solving skills. Rest assured, our pretend play gifts are designed with kids in mind, and many of our sets come with miniature versions of everyday objects, such as a faux hair dryer, mini shopping cart, baby doll stroller and a tool box. Young kids will delight in acting out the things they see grown-ups do, with child-safe versions they can use.

Types of Pretend Play Gifts

When you're browsing our pretend play gift ideas, think about the activities your child enjoys doing. Soon-to-be big sisters or brothers can practice helping take care of baby with a doll. Browse our doll-related toys, like our carrier bundle, diaper bag or swing set that they can practice with. Children who like shopping at the store with mom or dad can take a turn around their own pretend grocery store with a shopping cart and felt veggies and cardboard boxes. When they're ready to ring up, help them learn about how money works with a miniature cash register and play money.

More Ways to Play Pretend

Children can start to build their language and social skills with their favorite plush toys and dolls when you help them set up a tea party. Explore our colorful tea sets that come with a tea pot and plenty of cups to ensure there's more than enough tea to go around the table.

Help young children learn more about household chores and everyday activities with a pretend tool belt set, a wooden cleaning set or a wooden ironing board. Aspiring chefs and bakers can create their own culinary masterpieces with a wooden grill set or a baking bundle. (Don't forget the apron!)

In addition to hands-on pretend play gifts, books are a great way to encourage a child's imagination while also being a way to foster and develop their language and reading comprehension.

Other Creative Gifts For Children

While you're exploring our pretend play gift ideas for your child, take a look at our developmental toys for infants and toddlers or our educational and STEAM toys for young children and up. Developmental toys are a great way to help young children work on their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Educational and STEAM toys help cultivate your child's critical thinking and problem-solving skills while inspiring their love of learning, particularly in the realms of science, technology, engineering, art and math. Books inspire children's imagination and with the range of contemporary topics you'll find in our collection, are sure to spark conversations too. Look for our boxed sets, classic picture books, new books and more.