As the holiday season approaches, you’re probably starting to think about what gifts to get your little ones. Or perhaps you’re wondering how you’re going to get through another school break without bowing to the constant screens trying to infiltrate your home and family time. Either way, there’s a simple solution: imaginative play!
Giving your child the gift of building their own adventures, creating magical worlds, and testing the limits of their creativity is not just a handy entertainment tactic, it’s a critical skill to foster. In this blog, we'll share the best toys that not only entertain but also empower young minds to dream big and explore endless possibilities. So get ready to transform playtime into an unforgettable journey of discovery and fun!
- Sylvanian Families
This first toy is one you may remember playing with yourself, which is part of the reason it’s having a comeback. Not only does it promote diverse family units, Sylvanian Families foster nostalgia, making this toy a fun one to play with your children when you have time to spend together. You can share which characters you used to play with and what storylines you gave them to inspire their own imaginations.
Sylvanian Families have a wide range of products, including different animal families, accessories, and settings, such as doctors or caravan sets. Mix and match sets to further grow the world your children are inventing! To see the Sylvanian Family products we have in stock, click here.
- Jellycat
Jellycat toys have rapidly grown in popularity thanks to their fun personalities and squeezably soft materials. But they’re more than just cuddly companions. Whether it’s a whimsical bunny or a quirky creature, the versatility of Jellycat plushies allows them to take on various roles – friends, superheroes, or even mythical beings – enhancing imaginative play. By engaging with these characters, children develop storytelling skills and learn to express their emotions, making each play session not just fun, but also enriching.
The first of the Jellycat Xmas line, Romi Reindeer, has arrived. As Christmas and other holidays approach, perhaps use these toys as opportunities to make stories come to life, or for your child to tell you their own festive stories.
Click here to buy the Romi Reindeer Jellycat, or click here to see our whole Jellycat range.
- Tenderleaf
Similar to Sylvanian Families, Tenderleaf is a cute, wooden collection of characters, houses and tools that inspire world-building. Tenderleaf, however, is specifically designed to promote fine motor skills as well as creativity. Each piece invites children into a tactile world where they can explore, build, and create, promoting imaginative play through open-ended design. Whether they’re stacking animals in a coral reef or arranging a colourful garden and greenhouse, children engage in creative storytelling that brings their visions to life.
Beyond fostering imagination, Tender Leaf products are instrumental in developing fine motor skills. As children grasp, manipulate, and balance these thoughtfully designed toys, they strengthen hand-eye coordination and dexterity. This hands-on play encourages them to experiment and problem-solve, laying a strong foundation for future learning.
To see all the Tenderleaf products we carry, click here.
- LEGO
LEGO bricks are a timeless favourite that sparks creativity and fosters endless possibilities. With their reusable pieces, LEGO allows children to build anything from fantastical castles to futuristic vehicles, with or without pre-made sets. As children explore their ideas and bring their dreams to life, they foster a sense of accomplishment that builds their desire for creativity.
LEGO is a great family-friendly toy too. Whether you’re all working on one big project, or each adding your own piece to a shared world, LEGO can be a great way to connect with your children and share your own creativity.
In addition to unleashing imagination, LEGO is also an excellent tool for developing fine motor skills and patience. As children snap pieces together, they practise coordination and precision, honing their hand strength and focus-skills.
To learn about more benefits of playing with LEGO, click here, or see the LEGO products available for purchase here.
- Food Playset
A fan favourite in the Montessori movement (which you can read more about here), food playsets are a great toy to immerse children in food-orientated worlds while building practical skills. Whether they want to play chef, host a tea party, or do anything their growing minds come up with, food playsets are a great outlet for practising what they see in their daily lives, as well as inspiring further creative play.
Check out this cute example of a fruit playset by Hape.
The best thing about imaginative play is that it can be independent or done with as many people as possible. Try spending some time coming up with games and worlds with your little ones to have an even bigger impact on their creative intelligence.
For more inspiration, check out our imaginative play section here, or read our ultimate guide to choosing safe and non-toxic toys here.
Happy imagining!