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Ideas for Creative Play at Home

Palm Spring Playhouse

We love open-ended toys and games that are totally, completely and 100% kid-powered—play that allows kids to use their own creativity to create the world and the rules (or lack of rules).

From elaborate doodles to abstract masterpieces, imaginary friends who get their own seat at the dinner table (because hello, imaginary friends love pizza too) to riding pet unicorns or battling giant backyard dinosaurs, creative play is nothing short of magical.

Here are some of our favorite picks for sparking little ones’ creative play and mightiest adventures.

Wooden Art Easel

Make art. Self-expression, imagination, playing with colors, shapes and patterns. Oh, there are so many reasons why making art is an ideal creative outlet for kids.

Art Play Activity Book

Some kids may enjoy working on guided art projects, while other kids will routinely drift over to an easel or tote around a sketchbook and create art spontaneously. Either way, time making art is always time well spent.

Llama Pom Pom Kit

Craft time? Yes, please! Crafting projects offer opportunities for kids to engage in sensory and tactile exploration as they use their fine motor skills to create original pieces. Because there is no “right way” to do an open-ended craft, kids can freely express their creativity without fear of “messing up,” which is fantastic for confidence building.

Hanging Theater Playhouse

The world's a stage. If your little one turns bedtime stories into live-action dramas, acts out favorite TV shows, cajoles siblings into lip-synch battles or creates, produces and stars in living room pop concerts, then you might have a budding performer on your hands. Which, frankly, is awesome because entertainers are fun! All they need is a stage. And a microphone. And an audience. And costumes (or lewks). And they may involve the family pet. But still, very fun.

Mars Mission Space Playhouse

Cottage Playhouse

Ready, set, GO. If you’ve never camped on Mars or visited a princess cottage in a fairy forest or eaten at a restaurant that only sells red candy and sprinkles, that’s OK, we haven’t either. But we’ve heard great things about all of these places—10/10 would go back for another visit. And the best news? Some of these places even allow adults!

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