Pretend play might look like a way to keep your child engaged but the truth is that they need to be able to engage in this activity for proper development and growth. It helps children to use their creativity, develop their social skills, and understand what is happening in the world. Still, there are so many toys in the market today and how does one decide on the right pretend play for a kid? Here are some tips that will be helpful for you to make the best decision.

Know Your Child’s Interests

The first thing to take into account when selecting the most suitable pretend play is your child’s likes. Do they love animals? Are they interested in superheroes or mesmerized by fairy tales? If you take your time and pick toys and play sets that your children love, then you are likely to make them remain focused.

For instance, if your child is interested in animals, then it will be appropriate to get them a farm set or a veterinary clinic playset. If they are into superheroes, a costume and action figures could be the way to go. The idea is to find out what they prefer doing without any pressure being put on them.

Consider Their Age and Development Stage

Children enjoy a variety of things and are capable of different things at different ages. This is why it is necessary to select pretend play that is appropriate to the age and developmental level of the child. For example, young children may like easy-to-use dress-up costumes and simple kitchen play sets whereas older children may prefer play sets such as a doll house containing special features or a construction set containing small pieces for construction.

Safety First

The safety of children's toys cannot be overemphasized. Parents should always look at the labels to ensure that the items are appropriate for the kid’s age and that the pretend play items do not have parts that may choke the kid especially if he or she is young. Ensure that the materials used are non-hazardous and the edges are not sharp to avoid accidents. You can also look for the ASTM International or CPSC certification label which guarantees that the toys meet specific safety requirements.

Social Play and Learning

To help children learn social skills, go for toys that will engage them in play with others, whether it is with their siblings, friends, or even their parents. This can be done with playsets such as a grocery store, a tea party set, or a puppet theatre as these require interactions and communication between the players. 

Also, choose items that may contain elements of teaching the child something new in a playful manner. For example, a doctor’s kit will help the child learn more about the human body and the need to maintain it. A cash register playset can teach children addition, subtraction, and the idea of using money to pay for something. 

Read Reviews and Recommendations

It is always advisable to read some recommendations and reviews from other parents before making a purchase. Customer reviews on websites such as Amazon, parenting blogs, and forums can also help in getting an idea about the quality of the toys. It is important to read both good and bad feedback to be able to form a complete picture.

Balance Quantity and Quality

Parents tend to over-purchase toys for their children and end up with many toys that the child uses only once or twice. What parents should do is buy a few toys of good quality. These better toys are more lasting than cheap toys, and they also offer far better possibilities for creativity.

A child can easily grow tired of a toy regardless of how good the toy is too. To avoid this, parents need to rotate the toys after a few weeks. This way, each toy feels new and interesting to the child when it is brought out again, and thus the child plays longer.

Play pretend will make sure your child is going through the proper developmental stages at the right time and the right way. You just need to keep a few things that are mentioned above while selecting a pretend set and you can have a safe and enjoyable learning experience for your child. Skillmatics UK’s pretend play sets are made to build spatial reasoning, fine motor, and other key developmental skills for your baby and they’re also so much fun to play with. So don’t think twice before getting one from there and let your child have a fun, learning time! Happy playing!