Play is one of the most important parts of a child’s life. Among the many forms of play in early childhood, pretend play stands out as a critical building block for creativity, communication, social skills, and emotional growth.
Pretend play allows children to explore different roles, solve problems, tell stories, and express feelings. It provides a safe, imaginative space where they can experiment with the world around them – laying strong foundations for future learning and relationships.
Understanding how pretend play benefits development – and how it typically progresses – can help parents, carers, and educators provide the right opportunities for children to thrive.
What is pretend play?
Pretend play (sometimes called symbolic play or imaginative play) is when children use their creativity to invent roles, create stories, and act out scenarios. It often involves using objects, actions, or ideas to represent other things.
Pretend play typically includes:
- Play scripts: Creating simple or complex storylines during play.
- Object substitution: Using one object to stand in for another (for example, pretending a block is a phone).
- Doll or teddy play: Giving life, emotions, and actions to toys or objects.
- Role play: Pretending to be another person, such as a parent, doctor, or superhero.
- Social interaction: Engaging in play alongside or with other children.
As children’s skills grow, their pretend play becomes richer and more structured – reflecting their expanding understanding of the world and the people around them.
Why pretend play matters
Pretend play offers a wide range of developmental benefits for young children, supporting:
- Creative and flexible thinking
- Language development and storytelling skills
- Social understanding, cooperation, and emotional regulation
- Planning, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities
- Confidence, resilience, and self-expression
Encouraging pretend play is an important part of supporting children’s overall developmental journey.
Pretend play milestones: what to expect
Children’s pretend play abilities typically evolve across the early years. Here’s a summary of key pretend play developmental milestones:
| Age Group | Pretend Play Skills |
| 6 – 12 months (Pre-pretend play) | Exploring objects through mouthing, banging, and shaking; imitating simple gestures like clapping; showing curiosity about familiar routines. |
| 12 – 19 months | Performing one-step pretend actions with dolls or toys (e.g., hugging a teddy); pretending simple activities like drinking from a cup; recognising everyday object functions. |
| 19-23 months | Acting out familiar daily routines (e.g., sweeping, feeding dolls); using basic object substitution (e.g., using a block as a phone); linking single pretend actions together. |
| 24 – 29 months | Sequencing two to three logical pretend actions (e.g., pouring and drinking tea); treating toys as ‘alive’; starting to copy peers’ actions during side-by-side play. |
| 30 – 35 months | Developing longer pretend sequences (4–5 connected steps); using the same object creatively for multiple functions; taking on simple pretend roles like “doctor” or “parent.” |
| 36 – 41 months | Expanding play to include characters from books and media; sustaining play for up to 15 minutes; creating complex storylines and shifting easily between roles. |
| 42 – 47 months | Introducing pretend problems (e.g., a broken toy); planning play before starting; inventing imaginary props; maintaining consistent character roles in play. |
| 4 years | Building multi-day play narratives with subplots and challenges; using unrelated objects creatively; cooperating and negotiating roles with other children. |
| 5 years | Sustaining highly organised, imaginative play scenes; using language richly to describe imaginary worlds; collaborating with peers to create long, detailed storylines. |
Encouraging pretend play development
Every child’s play journey is unique. Some children naturally engage in rich pretend play early on, while others may take a little more time to explore imaginative activities.
Simple ways to encourage pretend play include:
- Offering open-ended toys like dolls, blocks, dress-ups, and household items
- Joining your child in their play and following their lead
- Reading stories together and encouraging children to act them out
- Creating safe spaces where children feel free to imagine, invent, and explore
- Allowing unstructured playtime in daily routines
If you would like guidance to encourage your child’s pretend play skills, or support in understanding their play development, contact Occupational Therapy Helping Children today on 02 9913 3823 or book an appointment online. Our team is here to support your family’s journey.
The information presented in this blog is based on the Pretend Play Enjoyment Developmental Checklist by Karen Stagnitti. To find out more, see Karen Stagnitti’s Learn to Play website.
