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Top 10 Best Pretend Play Toys in 2021 (Learning Resources, Melissa & Doug, and More)
Pretend play is one of the best ways for kids to stretch their imaginations and creativity, and while kids can play with basically anything, good design can help your child grow. That’s why we’ve decided to figure out what makes a great pretend play toy.
While researching, we found that the best toys are durable, age-appropriate, and sometimes even useful (to mom and dad). Toys that can be used in multiple ways are great, and ones that can grow with a child are even better. Keeping these factors in mind, we’ve put together a list of our favorite pretend play toys, including Battat's Farmers Market Basket.
While researching, we found that the best toys are durable, age-appropriate, and sometimes even useful (to mom and dad). Toys that can be used in multiple ways are great, and ones that can grow with a child are even better. Keeping these factors in mind, we’ve put together a list of our favorite pretend play toys, including Battat's Farmers Market Basket.
- Last updated: 02-26-2021
Table of Contents
Top 10 Best Pretend Play Toys
While kids do have preferences, most can find a way to have fun with almost anything. Just be sure that the pieces are age-appropriate to prevent choking or injuries.
1
BattatFarmers Market Basket
$11.95
| Best for | 3+ |
|---|---|
| Materials | BPA- and phthalate-free plastic |
| Size | 10 x 8 x 3.5 inches |
| Functional | No |
2
TresbroWooden Dentist Tool Toys
$19.99
| Best for | 3+ |
|---|---|
| Materials | Wood with non-toxic water-based paint; metal stethoscope |
| Size | – |
| Functional | Working stethoscope |
3
Melissa & DougTake-Along Tool Kit
$10.99
| Best for | 3+ |
|---|---|
| Materials | Wood |
| Size | 9.9 x 5.5 x 4.8 inches |
| Functional | No |
4
Maple LandmarkMites Wooden Cars
$33.79
| Best for | 2+ |
|---|---|
| Materials | Wood with non-toxic paint |
| Size | 3 inches each |
| Functional | No |
5
Learning ResourcesPretend & Play Calculator Cash Register
$51.13
| Best for | 5+ |
|---|---|
| Materials | Plastic |
| Size | 13 x 9.5 x 8 inches |
| Functional | Yes |
6
Learning ResourcesPrimary Science Lab Set
$24.14
| Best for | 3+ |
|---|---|
| Materials | Plastic |
| Size | – |
| Functional | Yes |
7
Grimm's Spiel und Holz DesignSet of 12 Rainbow Friends Peg Dolls
$89.99
| Best for | 1+ |
|---|---|
| Materials | Wood with non-toxic paint |
| Size | 6.1 x 4.1 x 2.8 inches together; 1.25 inches in diameter each |
| Functional | No |
8
Teamson KidsLittle Chef Florence Classic Kids Play Kitchen
$69.99
| Best for | 3+ |
|---|---|
| Materials | Wood with lead-free paint |
| Size | 38 x 21.5 x 12 inches |
| Functional | No |
9
PrextexPlush Farm House
$24.99
| Best for | 1+ |
|---|---|
| Materials | Plush fabric |
| Size | Barn: 11 inches; Horses: 5 inches long |
| Functional | No |
10
Melissa & DougLet’s Play House! Dust! Sweep! Mop! Pretend Play Set
$20.24
| Best for | 3+ |
|---|---|
| Materials | Wood handles |
| Size | 28 inches tall |
| Functional | Yes |
Compare the Best Pretend Play Toys
| Image | 1  Battat | 2  Tresbro | 3  Melissa & Doug | 4  Maple Landmark | 5  Learning Resources | 6  Learning Resources | 7  Grimm's Spiel und Holz Design | 8  Teamson Kids | 9  Prextex | 10  Melissa & Doug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Farmers Market Basket | Wooden Dentist Tool Toys | Take-Along Tool Kit | Mites Wooden Cars | Pretend & Play Calculator Cash Register | Primary Science Lab Set | Set of 12 Rainbow Friends Peg Dolls | Little Chef Florence Classic Kids Play Kitchen | Plush Farm House | Let’s Play House! Dust! Sweep! Mop! Pretend Play Set |
| Features | Cut Fruits and Veggies With a Full Sensory Toy | High-Quality Medical Set for Wannabe Dentists | Best for Kids Who Like to Build | Classic and Safe-for-Play Wooden Toy Cars | Learn How to Count and Use Cash | Have Fun Experimenting With a Science Kit | Simple Dolls for Imaginative Play | Learn Your Way Around the Kitchen | A Well-Made Horse Plush Toy Set | Sweep and Clean to Play |
| Price | $11.95 | $19.99 | $10.99 | $33.79 | $51.13 | $24.14 | $89.99 | $69.99 | $24.99 | $20.24 |
| Best for | 3+ | 3+ | 3+ | 2+ | 5+ | 3+ | 1+ | 3+ | 1+ | 3+ |
| Materials | BPA- and phthalate-free plastic | Wood with non-toxic water-based paint; metal stethoscope | Wood | Wood with non-toxic paint | Plastic | Plastic | Wood with non-toxic paint | Wood with lead-free paint | Plush fabric | Wood handles |
| Size | 10 x 8 x 3.5 inches | – | 9.9 x 5.5 x 4.8 inches | 3 inches each | 13 x 9.5 x 8 inches | – | 6.1 x 4.1 x 2.8 inches together; 1.25 inches in diameter each | 38 x 21.5 x 12 inches | Barn: 11 inches; Horses: 5 inches long | 28 inches tall |
| Functional | No | Working stethoscope | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Link |
How to Choose a Pretend Play Toy – Buying Guide
Finding the right toy is about striking a balance between preferences and some of the factors featured below.
Find a Toy That’s Age-Appropriate or One Your Child Can Grow With
Though some kids may not be picky about what they play with, it’s important to find a toy that’s appropriate for your child’s developmental stage.
The littlest ones probably won’t care much about what a toy is so long as it’s engaging and stimulating. To that effect, look for toys that are colorful and made from different materials to activate their senses.
Slightly older kids will benefit from toys that work their fine motor skills–toys with more moving parts or component pieces that come apart.
For early elementary-age kids, look for toys that encourage them to act out real-life situations with more detailed parts. Some examples of this type of toys include doctor sets with various tools, kitchen sets with utensils, and store sets with toy money.
Ensure That Parts are Non-Toxic and Aren’t a Choking Hazard
For parents of young children especially, it’s important to ensure that all of a toy’s parts (including glues and paints) are non-toxic and won’t accidentally come off. For plastic toys, look for labeling that says plastics are BPA-free. For wooden toys, check whether the description specifically says the paint is non-toxic.
And remember that even if it looks like there are no small parts, you should always pay attention to your little ones to make sure they’re not putting anything they shouldn’t be into their mouths.
Look for a Toy That Fits in Your Space
Some pretend play toys like miniature kitchens or playhouses can take up quite a bit of space. And while they may be fun for kids, it probably won’t be as fun for you if it takes up half of your living room. So, be sure to check measurements before buying, especially if you’re on the hunt for something larger.
It could also be important to look at measurements if you’re looking for toys that can match with other toys in your child’s collection–for example, if you’re looking for a kitchen and utensil set that will fit the fake food you already own.
For Industrious Little Ones, Look for Functional Toys to Help Mom and Dad
Some pretend play toys are a little less pretend than others and actually function as miniature versions of real adult products. Many of these are cleaning- or cooking-related items and can be used by little ones to help parents around the house.
These are great for encouraging responsibility and beginning to implement chores while also allowing kids to feel grown-up.
Why Pretend Play is Important for Children
While math and reading are undoubtedly beneficial for children to learn, it’s perhaps equally important for kids to play pretend as it helps them develop important life skills. For instance, pretend play can help kids learn to navigate social and emotional situations as they take on characters and see the world through different eyes.
If they’re playing with other kids, it also gives them a chance to practice patience, cooperation, and communication and language skills.
Often, kids pretend to take part in situations that they may not ever have been in, and acting out a role allows them to use words and phrases that they may have heard somewhere and wouldn’t otherwise get the chance to try.
And of course, pretend play is a fantastic way for kids to stretch their imagination and critical thinking skills as they create scenarios and rewrite the rules of the world to fit their imagined world.
Keep Your Kids Busy With Plenty of Toys
Kids are always looking for new ways to play. When you're in need of new toys to keep your little ones busy, keep our articles in mind! We've prepared plenty of buying guides to help you pick the best toys for your children.
Summary
Pretend play is an invaluable part of being a kid, and having the right toys can make it that much more believable for them. Just be sure that the one you choose is high-quality and built to last.
Kid-Safe Bath Toys Recommended by an Expert
When toys get wet, oftentimes they begin to accumulate mold and bacteria. When your toddlers are always biting or playing with them, it's always best to find a toy that's made to keep clean. Here's one recommended by pediatrician Dr. S. Amna Husain.
Expert's
pick
pick
MunchkinCleanSqueeze Mold-Free Bath Squirts
4 pack
$8.99
Not All Bath Toys are Created Equal!
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