How to Play House

Playing pretend is an important part of childhood. Kids play house or role play to make sense of the world around them and explore their environment. If you’re playing house with a toddler, set out props in a play space to spur their imagination. Play along with them so they learn how to interact and pretend.

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Once your child is a little older, let them come up with the stories and direct the play. Set up play dates so your child can play house with other kids their age.

1 Create a space for playing house. You can play house with your child anywhere you’d like. Use a bedroom, the living room, a patio, or a yard. Since small kids will need a little imaginative encouragement, it’s a good idea to set up a playhouse or dollhouse to jump start play. If you don’t have a playhouse or doll house, set up couch cushions or cardboard boxes to make a play space.^[1]
- If you make a cardboard playhouse, let your child decorate it with stickers, crayons, or markers.
2 Set out house-themed props. Kids love to play with household items that are their size. Place toys or actual household items that are safe for play in your child’s play space. For example, set out a toy vacuum, toy blender, toy tools, actual measuring cups, a small table with chairs, feather dusters, and plastic dishes.^[2]
- Don’t feel like you have to completely fill the play space with toys. Too many toys can overwhelm small children. Instead, rotate out toys every few weeks to keep your child interested.
3 Play with dolls or figurines. Younger kids often prefer to play house using their favorite dolls or figurines. Get out your child’s favorites and ask them which 1 they’d like to be. Ask your child which doll or figurine you should be. Keep in mind that the dolls or figurines don’t have to match. The important thing is that your child is encouraged to imagine and play.
- For example, your child may want you to be a doll while they play as their favorite stuffed elephant. You might say, “I’ll be your elephant, Nuffie, but who will you be? Would you like to play as Raggedy Ann?”
4 Choose your roles. You’ll probably need to start the imaginative play by telling your child who you’re playing as. Then, your child may tell you who they’re playing as. If they’re too young, you might need to prompt them.^[3]
- For example, say, “Hi! I’m a little girl doll. Who are you? Are you a…