A child's imaginary world, encompassing both fantasy and real life play situations, is a rich and stimulating environment in which to develop.

Children love to dress up and to imitate real-life situations. They can embellish this role playing with simple household items (pots and pans, rolling pins, and play dough, etc.) and with toys which are child-sized versions of real objects (tea sets, irons, telephones, hard hats, tool boxes, etc.). Toys such as these should be sturdy and washable.

A host of imaginative play situations also exists in the form of sets which usually include play figures and realistic accessories. These sets prompt enquiry and discussion about the settings and the function of the accessories, and an extensive variety of themes is available.

Most children delight in using and watching puppets. Young toddlers readily respond to a puppet manipulated by an older child or adult, which encourages speech and communication, while school age children can create their own roles for puppets. When buying stuffed puppets and toys, look for washing instructions, and check that seams are well-sewn, that eyes and noses are firmly attached, and that any clothes or accessories are well finished. Inner and outer materials should be new, clean, flame-retardant, and preferably non-allergenic.

Toys which enhance imaginative play are very important to a child's healthy development, as they help them to "play-out" and to resolve daily occurrences in both their own and the adult world.