Fostering Imaginary Worlds Using Everyday Objects: A Creative Way to Support Your Child

Why Imaginary Play Still Matters (Especially Between Ages 6 and 12)

If your child is navigating a rough patch at school—whether it’s a mountain of homework, learning difficulties, or emotional stress—it can feel deeply frustrating to know how to help. Between school responsibilities and digital distractions, it might seem like imaginative play belongs to a younger stage of childhood. But here’s something worth remembering: children aged 6 to 12 still need spaces where creativity can breathe. And sometimes, all it takes is a cardboard box, a few kitchen utensils, or mismatched socks to open the door to a richer, more imaginative world.

Creative play is not just a child’s pastime—it’s a powerful way for them to process emotions, experiment with ideas, and build resilience. The act of pretending, of making something out of nothing, actually gives a child a sense of agency and control. It’s where they’re in charge of the narrative, the rules, the outcomes. And in a world where so much feels out of their hands, that’s a priceless gift.

Your Home Is Already a Treasure Trove of Possibilities

You might feel pressure to stock up on expensive craft kits, building sets, or screen-based games to spark creativity. The truth is: your home is already full of materials that can become anything with a little imagination. A colander becomes a space helmet. A couch pillow transforms into a mountain. An old scarf turns into a dragon’s tail. And best of all, these humble objects leave gaps that your child must fill in with their mind—that’s where the magic happens.

Think of an ordinary laundry basket. Left alone, it's just a household object. But in the hands of a curious child, it might become:

• A submarine diving into an uncharted ocean.
• A time machine heading for a dinosaur-filled past.
• The treasure chest at the end of a pirate’s quest.

Letting them guide the transformation empowers them to make decisions, create backstories, and navigate imaginary scenarios that can mirror real-life emotions and challenges.

The Hidden Benefits of Low-Tech Imaginative Play

When children create their own worlds using everyday items, the benefits go far beyond entertainment. Research continues to show that unstructured imaginative play lays the foundation for problem-solving, emotional regulation, and even academic performance. This type of play also calms the nervous system—a crucial benefit for children dealing with school anxiety or learning hurdles.

In fact, storytelling and fantasy-based play can serve as powerful ways for kids to externalize internal struggles. A child might invent a character who feels misunderstood by their teacher, or a hero who faces an impossible math problem but discovers new ways to solve it. Through these narratives, they’re rehearsing strategies, trying out coping mechanisms, and building confidence in a gentle, supportive way.

How to Invite Creativity Without Adding Pressure

Many parents are tired—and understandably so. That’s why encouraging imaginative play shouldn’t feel like another task to manage. It’s less about setting up elaborate crafts or buying new costumes, and more about giving your child time and permission to engage with their ideas freely.

Here are some simple ways you can support this kind of open-ended exploration:

• Keep a small basket of safe-to-use household items (cardboard tubes, scrap fabric, kitchen utensils) in one accessible spot.
• Designate a play area—even if it’s just a corner of a room—where mess is okay and imagination is welcome.
• Instead of asking “What are you making?”, try “What’s the story here?” to validate their creativity rather than evaluate the result.

And when your child needs a bit of inspiration? Story-based resources can help spark ideas. For example, the iOS and Android LISN Kids App offers original audiobooks and audio series for children aged 3–12—some of which are designed to fuel creativity through guided storytelling, character development, and imaginative worlds. It’s a subtle screen-free alternative when your child needs a narrative nudge.

When Everyday Objects Become Storytelling Tools

One way to deepen your child’s imaginative play is to pair everyday items with story-based prompts. You could begin with a question like, “Imagine this spoon is the key to a hidden kingdom—who finds it?” or “This old scarf is no longer a scarf... what is it now?” From there, watch as your child constructs an entire world around the object.

This blend of storytelling and object play can be especially effective for children who experience emotional or learning challenges. According to child development experts, creating fictional characters and problems can offer kids a safe container to express things they might struggle saying outright.

The Joy of Shared Imaginations

Sometimes, all a child needs is one adult who is willing to play along—even for just 10 minutes. When you sit down with your child and ask, “Can I enter your spaceship too?” or “What mission are we on today?”, you’re not just bonding with them. You’re affirming the importance of their inner world.

And in our tech-heavy, fast-paced world, preserving a space where imagination still holds value is one of the most meaningful gifts we can offer. Choosing screen-free alternatives and everyday storytelling activities does more than entertain—it helps reconnect your child to wonder, to play, and to themselves.

So the next time you see an empty paper towel roll, don’t toss it… ask what mystical power it holds today. The answer, as always, lives in your child’s imagination—and that’s a pretty extraordinary place to be.

If you're curious about why cultivating these little worlds is so powerful, explore this reflection on how pretend play can transform a child’s self-perception. Or see how stories can awaken intuitive thinking and curiosity in children.