Best Toys for Ages 2-7 : Encouraging Creativity and Imaginative Play

Stages of Play Series: The Preoperational Stage (Ages 2-7)

Welcome back to our Stages of Play series, where we help you make sense of the toys in your house and streamline your play space! Today, we’re diving into the 2nd Stage of Play: the Preoperational Stage (ages 2-7).

If you’re new to the series, here’s a quick recap of the framework. Inspired by Jean Piaget—the psychologist who famously said, “Play is the work of childhood”—we’re using his Four Stages of Cognitive Development to guide toy selection. These stages provide insight into the kinds of toys that best engage kids at different developmental milestones.

What is the Preoperational Stage?

During the Preoperational Stage, children begin to learn through functional play (repetitive actions with no specific goal) and imaginative play (pretending and creating).

Ideal Toys for This Stage:

• Encourage creativity (like art supplies or building sets).
• Support pretend play (like dolls, action figures, and dress-up clothes).
• Help kids explore real-life experiences in a playful way.

3 Questions to Ask Before Buying Preoperational Toys

When shopping for toys or evaluating what you already have, ask yourself:

1. Does it encourage creativity?
   • Think open-ended toys like blocks, crayons, or magnetic tiles.
2. Does it act as a catalyst for imaginative play?
   • Dolls, figurines, and costumes help kids pretend and role-play.
3. Does it help them understand real-life experiences?
   • Playsets like dollhouses or mini grocery stores allow kids to process and mimic daily life.

1 Thing to Avoid in Preoperational Toys

Avoid toys that do the playing for your child.

• Toys with too many bells, whistles, and automated features can turn kids into passive observers, reducing the benefits of play.

Organizing Your Play Space for the Preoperational Stage

Take this opportunity to declutter and evaluate your child’s play space.

• Keep toys that spark creativity and imaginative play.
• Remove toys that don’t align with these goals—donate or save them for a rainy day.

Why Fewer Toys Work Better:
Research shows that kids play longer and more deeply when they have fewer toys available. Simplifying the play space promotes focus and richer engagement, helping children develop stronger brain connections.

Toy Recommendations for the Preoperational Stage

Here are a few favorites for this age group, tried and loved by families:

• Small World Toys: Dollhouses, action figure playsets, and other imaginative setups.
• Blocks/Building Sets: Wooden blocks, magnet tiles, or cardboard building sets encourage open-ended creativity.
• Dress-Up Clothes: From princess costumes to firefighter outfits, dress-up inspires role-play.
• Dolls/Figurines/Stuffed Animals: Options range from Little People to plush animals and character figurines.
• Picture Books: Storytime remains a valuable way to build creativity and connection.

Looking for more ideas and resources? Nurtured Nest provides self-paced online learning for parents on our unique learning platform. Learn more about our courses here.