Craft ideas for kids that can also be used for pretend play for double the creative fun. First, children enjoy making the craft, then they can play with it.
Updated July 2025
If your kids are anything like ours, they LOVE pretend play! There’s nothing better than watching them get into imaginative play and seeing where it takes them. But what about crafts for pretend play?!
You know, for double the fun.
First, get creative making something, whether a cardboard dollhouse, a unicorn from a toilet paper roll, or some melted crayon rocks, then get creative playing with it.
Because we all know how important kids’ play is, right?!
“Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.”
– Mr. Rogers
And that’s just one of many reasons play is important!
So here are some fun things for kids to make and then play with. And many of these make great gifts, too, from one kid to another.
Craft Ideas for Pretend Play
1. Make a cardboard castle or dollhouse
Use cardboard to create a magical castle or cozy dollhouse, then fill it with toy figures or animals!
2. Make a fairy house with air-dry clay
Use air-dry clay to form a fairy house, then create your own tiny fairies to move in and bring the magic to life! Or use your backyard to make a natural fairy house.
3. Playdough play!
Whip up homemade playdough together, then dive into creative fun with some of our favorite creative playdough play ideas. You can also set up a play bakery or some small world playdough play.
4. Make your own costume!
Dig through the recycling bin to make some pretend play costumes. Or create some beautiful DIY paper wings or a paper plate mask and pretend to be your favorite animal.
5. Create crowns
Gather flowers and leaves to create fresh flower crowns and necklaces. These are perfect for dress-up or springtime celebrations. Or make party crowns with headbands and pipe cleaners!
6. Build a magical forest
Create trees, rocks, and landscapes from cardboard to design your own enchanted forest and then add figurines.
7. Create puppets or robots
Make a family of hand puppets and put on a puppet show. Or create a cardboard robot that really moves!
8. Create your own building toys
Make your own magnetic building set. Or decorate your own set of wooden blocks for building.
9. Use stones as creative play toys
Make story stones then use them to act or tell out stories. Or make melted crayon rocks and use them in a multitude of ways for creative play activities
10. Create your own play mat
Draw a play mat for your toy cars to drive on and have fun!
Any other craft ideas for kids that double for pretend play?
More Creative Play Ideas
- Why We Love Play Silks for Pretend Play
- How to Set Up a Playdough Play Tray
- 5 DIY Cardboard Toys You Can Make With Your Kids
- The Best Open Ended Toys for Kids
- How to Use LEGOs to Make Pictures in Playdough
- How to Make a Cardboard Castle for Pretend Play
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