Pretend play is a powerful way for young children to make sense of the world. When a child stirs an empty pot, serves imaginary soup or puts on a grown-up’s hat, they are not just being cute—they are building language, social skills and creativity. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) explains that pretend play lets children experiment with different social roles, learn to cooperate and develop complex negotiation and communication skills. Simple setups at home, using everyday household items, can spark this kind of rich, imaginative learning.

Short version: Pretend play builds creativity, cooperation and language. Use safe household items to create a shop, kitchen or dress-up corner. Always supervise and keep choking hazards away from young children.

Why pretend play matters

According to the AAP’s clinical report on the power of play, make-believe and imaginary play encourage creativity and help children practice the back-and-forth of real conversations. A child might say, “You be the teacher, and I will be the student,” which builds more complex negotiation, communication and language skills. The AAP also notes that pretend play is one way children learn about difficult feelings like anger and fear. When a toddler acts out a scene with a stuffed animal or a doll, they are often working through emotions in a safe, controlled way.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights that by 2 years of age, most children begin to engage in simple pretend play. The CDC’s milestone checklist notes that a 2-year-old may play with more than one toy at the same time, such as putting toy food on a toy plate. Dressing up in grown-up clothes, like shoes, hats and shirts, helps a child begin to pretend. The CDC’s positive parenting tips for 2- to 3-year-olds also encourage caregivers to take part in pretend play.

Pretend play also lays the groundwork for later academic skills. The AAP states that research shows play can improve children’s abilities in language, math and social skills, and even helps children cope with stress. When you join your child in a pretend scenario, you are not only having fun—you are supporting healthy brain development.

Simple pretend play setups with household items

You do not need fancy toys or electronic gadgets to create engaging pretend play. The AAP reminds parents that simple and inexpensive objects are some of the best ways to support a child’s creativity and grasp of how the world works. Items like plastic cups, plates, pots and pans, empty containers and wooden spoons can become the foundation for hours of imaginative play. Store these items in a safe place where your child can easily see and reach them, as the AAP suggests in its guidance on how toddlers learn.

Below are a few pretend play setups you can create with things you likely already have at home. Each setup includes a learning goal, an approximate age range based on developmental milestones, and a safety reminder.

Shop and market play

Set up a small table or a low shelf as a store counter. Gather empty food boxes, clean plastic containers, fabric scraps for “produce” or paper bags. You can make simple play money by cutting paper into rectangles. Let your child take turns being the shopkeeper and the customer. This kind of play encourages cooperation and turn-taking. The AAP notes that preschool-age children use objects to develop abstract thought and concepts like symbolism—a cardboard box can become a cash register, for example.

Learning goal: Practice social roles, early language and cooperation. Children may also explore early math ideas as they sort items or count play money.
Approximate age: 2 to 5 years. The CDC’s 2-year milestones show that children this age can play with more than one toy at a time, and by age 3 they are beginning to interact and share with peers, according to the AAP’s social development guidance.
Safety note: Avoid small items that could be choking hazards, such as coins, marbles or small toy food pieces. The AAP lists coins, marbles and toys with small parts among common choking hazards. Supervise closely and check all props for loose or broken parts.

Kitchen and restaurant play

A corner of the kitchen or a play table can become a restaurant. Provide plastic or metal pots, pans, mixing bowls, wooden spoons, plastic cups and plates. Your child can pretend to cook, serve meals and take orders. The AAP’s toddler play guidance encourages giving children safe items that let them copy your actions and work. Describe what is happening: “I see you made a big pot of soup.” Ask questions: “What will you cook next?” This back-and-forth builds language and social connection.

Learning goal: Imitate adult roles, build vocabulary and practice sequencing (first we stir, then we serve).
Approximate age: 1 to 5 years. Even a 1-year-old can pretend to drink from an empty cup, a milestone the AAP highlights for the 1- to 3-year age range. Older preschoolers can create elaborate menus and play restaurant with friends, which supports the cooperative play described in the AAP’s preschool social development article.
Safety note: Keep real food out of the play area unless it is cut into safe, small pieces and eaten while seated. The AAP choking prevention guidance says to cut food for young children into pieces no larger than one-half inch and to never let children run or walk with food in their mouths.

Dress-up and role play

Fill a basket or a low drawer with grown-up clothes, hats, scarves, shoes and fabric pieces. The CDC specifically recommends letting your 2-year-old play dress up with grown-up clothes to help begin pretend play. For preschoolers, the AAP suggests providing dress-up clothes and props but allowing play to be unstructured. Children can move between make-believe games and reality—playing house and then helping you with real chores, for example. This flexibility strengthens their ability to shift between imagination and everyday tasks.

Learning goal: Explore different identities, express emotions and practice social scenarios.
Approximate age: 2 to 5 years. The CDC’s 2-year tips include dress-up as a way to start pretend play. By age 4, the AAP notes that children can act out imaginary scenes and roles with more complexity.
Safety note: Avoid clothing with long strings, cords or small decorative buttons that could come loose. Check that hats and scarves do not pose a strangulation risk. Never include items with button batteries, which the AAP warns can cause severe internal burns if swallowed.

Encouraging sharing and cooperation during pretend play

Pretend play naturally creates moments where children need to negotiate roles, take turns and share props. The AAP’s social development guidance explains that around age 3, children become much less selfish and begin to actually play with other children instead of just side by side. They learn to take turns and share toys in small groups, though they will still need encouragement. When a conflict arises, the AAP suggests saying “use your words” and reminding children that when two people share a toy, each gets an equal turn. You can also suggest drawing for the first turn or finding another toy to use while waiting.

ZERO TO THREE offers practical turn-taking ideas that fit easily into pretend play. Take turns mixing pretend cake batter or playing a simple game like Red Light/Green Light to practice waiting. Setting a kitchen timer can help a young child feel more relaxed while waiting for a turn. ZERO TO THREE also emphasizes the importance of staying calm and using simple language when holding a limit. If your child is upset about sharing, acknowledge the feeling (“I see you are upset”) while keeping the boundary (“I will help you wait for your turn”). This approach helps children gradually learn self-control.

For younger toddlers, sharing is still a developing skill. The CDC’s 2-year tips note that children this age play next to each other but do not yet know how to share and solve problems. You can model how to deal with conflicts by helping them share, take turns and use words when possible. With consistent, gentle guidance, pretend play becomes a safe space to practice these important social skills.

Safety during pretend play

Because pretend play often involves small props and found objects, safety must come first. The AAP’s choking prevention guidance states that young children can choke easily on food or small objects, and babies and toddlers are at the highest risk. Common choking hazards include balloons, balls, marbles, coins, toys with small parts, and small button-type batteries. The AAP recommends keeping high-risk foods and household items away from children until age 4 or older, depending on the child’s development and maturity. Always follow the age recommendations on toy packages, which are based on safety and choking hazards.

Check all pretend play props regularly for loose or broken parts, as the CDC advises. Encourage your child to sit while eating or pretending to eat, and never let them run, walk or lie down with food or small objects in their mouths. If you use art supplies to make play props, choose non-toxic, water-based materials. Keep balloons away from children under 8 years of age, as the AAP warns they pose a significant choking risk. Supervise all pretend play, especially when children of different ages are playing together, because older siblings may give small objects to a younger child without realizing the danger.

For more guidance on selecting safe materials, see our article on choosing safe learning materials and craft supplies. Creating a dedicated, hazard-free play space also helps; you can read about setting up a safe learning space at home.

Frequently asked questions

At what age can my child start pretend play?

The AAP notes that make-believe play can begin as early as 1 to 3 years, with simple actions like pretending to drink from an empty cup. By 2 years, the CDC suggests dress-up play with grown-up clothes to help a child begin to pretend. Every child develops at their own pace, and these milestones reflect what most children (75% or more) can do by a certain age. If you have concerns about your child’s development, talk with your pediatrician. The CDC advises that early intervention services are available if needed.

How can I encourage my child to share during pretend play?

According to the AAP, preschoolers gradually learn to take turns and share as they become more aware of others’ feelings. You can help by suggesting turn-taking, using words to describe feelings, and modeling peaceful conflict resolution. ZERO TO THREE recommends turn-taking games like taking turns stirring or playing Red Light/Green Light. For toddlers, the CDC suggests showing your child how to deal with conflicts by helping them share, take turns and use words when possible.

What household items are safe for pretend play?

Safe, simple items include plastic cups and plates, pots and pans, wooden spoons, empty food boxes, fabric scraps, and dress-up clothes without small decorative parts. The AAP warns to avoid balloons, coins, marbles, toys with small parts, and button batteries, as these are choking hazards for young children. Always supervise play and check items regularly for damage.

For more pretend play ideas and setups, visit our Pretend Play page. You can also explore activities tailored to your child’s age, such as learning activities for two-year-olds and learning activities for three-year-olds, or read our overview of learning through play for more ways to support your child’s development.

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