Holiday Gift Guide: Toys for Imaginative Play

Need some gift ideas for your creative little one? Read below for my holiday gift guide on some of our faves!

Holiday Gift Guide: Toys for Imaginative Play

My oldest is about to turn in less than a week! (Cue all the mama tears…) This past summer, I noticed that his solo playing time is filled with imaginative play. He loves to role play, tell stories, draw things to life, and almost always likes to help with household chores. With holiday shopping in full force, I thought I’d share a gift guide of our go-to toys (and some on my wishlist) that encourage imaginative play. Best part? These toys have stood the test of time and gets almost daily play out of them! Even the baby joins in on the fun with his big brother.

1.) Magnatiles

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We were gifted a set for A’s third birthday last year. I found a few sets on clearance at Target last winter and we’ve been adding to our collection whenever I come across a deal. These toys are worth their weight in how much they cost. He builds the craziest buildings and cities. He plays with them nearly every day, even almost a year later. They have totally withstood the test of time, both in quality as well as keeping our preschooler’s attention for more than ten minutes.

2.) Crayola Widescreen Light Designer

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This is on my list for Christmas shopping. A loves to draw and we usually just use regular crayons, markers, and paper (construction or printer – whichever I have stock of, haha). But, I think he will love to draw on this as well! Drawing/Art/Craft time usually keeps him busy for at least an hour. The stories he comes up with as he draws is the best part. I love that I can see his little mind working with even the simplest of activities.

3.) Learning Resources Doctor Set

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A check-up a day keeps the doctor away, right?! We love our doctor set. Both kids love to pretend play Doctor on each other and any other person willing to get a daily physical. It’s great for them to play with one another and it’s also great to prep them for any upcoming doctor appointments too! Pretend play is so crucial and I love that this kit fosters such a great way to interact and play together.

4.) Melissa & Doug Magnetic Wooden Dress-Up Dolls

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A came across an old paper doll set and loves playing with it. So I put this on my Christmas shopping list too. He’s going through a phase where he loves to ask what everyone does for work. This set is perfect for the different types of jobs and careers that he likes to learn about and role-playing.

5.) Marvel Avengers Titan Hero Series

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A is totally into super heroes right now. My parents have started quite the growing collection for him. We have MANY of them, but there are a few I have my eye on to round out his squad. He loves to reenact different scenarios with his characters. Sometimes he’s the good guy, other times he’s the bad guy. The storylines he comes up with sometimes are truly epic. They are his best friends and protectors.

6.) Casdon Toys Dyson

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This toy Dyson replica has been a favorite of both kids. They love to vacuum and love to clean. Oh how I wish this phase would last through the teenager years! Any toys that encourage helping with household chores and making it a fun activity is great in my book. This is definitely a must have for kids of all ages!

Holiday Gift Guide: Toys for Imaginative Play

Any other must have toys for encouraging Imaginative Play that I should add to my gift guide? Please share them with me!

Don’t forget to shop the toys in the widget below and Pin the Image to save it for later!

This post contains affiliate links, please see the disclosures page for more information. As always, all opinions are my own.

Holiday Gift Guide: Toys for Imaginative Play

Holiday Gift Guide: Toys for Imaginative Play

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I’m JeeYoung – Consultant, Content Creator, Chaos Coordinator. I’m a work at home mom to 3 boys in Metro Detroit.

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  1. Shannon wrote:

    What a great guide! We have the “girl” version of the Melissa & Doug dress up toys and my girls love it!

    Posted 11.16.16
    • JeeYoung wrote:

      Yay can’t wait to pick them up!

      Posted 11.16.16
  2. Belle wrote:

    These are great picks! My kids will surely love the magnatiles!

    One Awesome Momma

    Posted 11.16.16
    • JeeYoung wrote:

      Thanks mama! They’re a great toy!

      Posted 11.16.16
  3. Stephanie wrote:

    This is a great gift guide! You actually managed to find things my kids don’t have yet, I’m in shock!

    Posted 11.16.16
    • JeeYoung wrote:

      Hahaha yay! I’m so glad!

      Posted 11.16.16
  4. Lyndsey wrote:

    love these ideas!

    Posted 11.16.16
    • JeeYoung wrote:

      Thank you!

      Posted 11.16.16
  5. Super cute ideas. I think my little boy would love the Magnatiles!

    Posted 11.16.16
    • JeeYoung wrote:

      Magnatiles are a fave around here!

      Posted 11.16.16
  6. Those magnetic tiles are the BEST toy!!!!

    Posted 11.16.16
    • JeeYoung wrote:

      Seriously best investment yet!

      Posted 11.16.16
  7. Mamaguru wrote:

    Great choices for little boys!!!

    Posted 11.16.16
    • JeeYoung wrote:

      Thanks! We love these!

      Posted 11.16.16
  8. Patricia wrote:

    My girls would love everything on this list! Those magnatiles are so cool!!!!

    Posted 11.16.16
  9. Zan Turner wrote:

    Always looking for ideas for my kids, but for the girls. What was his age? Think you acidentally left out that part. My kid is 5 and I’d love to know if these are for 5 year olds☺

    Posted 11.16.16
    • JeeYoung wrote:

      Yes! He turns four next Monday!

      Posted 11.16.16
  10. Angela Kim wrote:

    Awesome list! This is good to know because I don’t know a thing about boys and can use some direction. lol. Thanks for sharing!

    Posted 11.16.16
    • JeeYoung wrote:

      Hehe you’ll have a whole bunch of new stuff to buy for D!

      Posted 11.19.16
  11. These are some great ideas! I might be coming back to this to shop for my nephew!

    Posted 11.17.16
    • JeeYoung wrote:

      They’re some of our faves!

      Posted 11.19.16
  12. Jen wrote:

    What a great guide! My kiddos always loved the Melissa & Doug dress up toys!

    Posted 11.17.16
    • JeeYoung wrote:

      Can’t wait for them to try it!

      Posted 11.19.16
  13. Steph wrote:

    I have an 7 year old who would still play with most of that!

    Posted 11.17.16
    • JeeYoung wrote:

      Yes these are such great toys that last!

      Posted 11.19.16
  14. Angel wrote:

    I already got my son a doctor set. Lol! Can you tell what I want him to grow up and be?????

    Posted 11.17.16
  15. Such a fantastic list!!!! I love toys that encourage kids to use their imaginations!

    Posted 11.17.16
    • JeeYoung wrote:

      Definitely! So important!

      Posted 11.19.16

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