Let's Pretend! 5 Tips for Encouraging Imaginative Play for Preschoolers with LeapFrog Toys

Pretend play is an essential part of early childhood development, helping our kids build social, language, and problem-solving skills. As the author of a book all about pretend play for kids and a mom of three little ones, you could say I’m a bit of a nerd when it comes to this fun topic.

We are big fans of pulling out our LeapFrog toys when we play. We love that they are designed to encourage hands-on learning while also making playtime fun and engaging. If you have a little one who is eager to explore the world through pretend play, here are some tips on how to use LeapFrog toys to enhance their imaginative experience through fun pretend play scenes.

1.     Set Up a Pretend Library

Encourage your child to step into the role of a little librarian by setting up a pretend library with their LeapFrog 2-in-1 LeapTop Touch and your favorite books. Give them simple tasks like, "typing the title of the book," with the full keyboard or counting the number of books using the keypad. You can also have them pretend to scan the books on their LeapFrog 2-in-1 LeapTop Touch in tablet mode. We love using this laptop in a variety of pretend-play scenes–you can even customize it to help your little one learn to spell their name.

2.     Host a Make-Believe Picnic

Transform an ordinary afternoon into a fun picnic adventure! Lay out a blanket, invite stuffed animals or family members, and let your little one serve pretend food using the LeapFrog Shapes & Sharing Picnic Basket. The interactive shape sorter on the lid recognizes the food pieces and says the shape and color of each one. Use this opportunity to teach manners (the picnic basket shares polite food requests!), encourage conversation, and introduce basic math concepts by counting items or sorting shapes.

3.     Become a Mini Chef

Bring out your child’s inner chef with the LeapFrog 4-in-1 Learning Hamburger. Set up a pretend restaurant or food truck and let them "take orders" and build custom hamburgers. Ask questions like, "What toppings would you like on your burger?" or "How much does the meal cost?" to spark creativity and early math skills. The LeapFrog 4-in-1 Learning Hamburger helps with fine motor skills as you spin the layers of it off and pop out the puzzle pieces on each layer to assemble your burger. We love pulling out costumes, like a chef’s hat, to make the scenes even more realistic.

4.     Play Pretend a Day at the Office

Help your preschooler practice social skills by using the LeapFrog Chat & Count Emoji Phone. It’s like a smartphone but created with toddlers in mind. Encourage them to "call" friends, family members, or even favorite characters. Your little one can listen to voicemails and practice counting with fun animations on this pretend phone. Set up a little desk and play along by pretending to be their coworker or boss, fostering communication skills and creativity.

5.     Run a Sweet Shop

A favorite pretend activity in our house is always the ice cream shop. Turn your living room into a bustling ice cream stand with the LeapFrog Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart. Encourage your little one to serve up delicious pretend treats while learning about colors, flavors and numbers.  The animal order cards are perfect for making different ice cream and topping combinations. The magic scooper is a highlight of this fun toy as it will recognize the colors and flavors as you scoop. Have your little one practice customer service by greeting and assisting "customers" (family members or stuffed animals). Practice counting with the syrup pumps and build on their memory skills by coming up with complex order requests.

By bringing pretend play into your child’s playtime with LeapFrog toys, you are helping them develop important life skills. The key is to join playtime, ask open-ended questions, and let their imaginations lead the way. So, grab a toy, step into their world, and enjoy the magic of pretend play together! I promise you’ll make memories that will stick with them for the rest of their lives.

Mandy Roberson is a certified childbirth educator, mom of 3 and founder of Momma Society--the community for modern moms. She loves holidays and making memories with her children. In her free time, you will find her crafting and creating fun printables for Magic Playbook--a monthly digital subscription for moms