For children, rocks can be spaceships. Pens can be fairies. And this kind of play can help protect mental health in childhood ...

Better pretend play in toddlers links to fewer emotional problems later, and this connection is not explained by emotional ...

When a child turns a cardboard box into a spaceship, or a stick into a magic wand, it may look like simple fun. But beneath the giggles and dramatic voices, something far more powerful may be ...

Many people often think of play in the form of images of young children at recess engaging in games of tag, ball, using slides, swings, and physically exploring their environments. But physical play ...

“Let’s pretend to be…” is commonly heard from young children as they play and interact at school, daycare, or at home. Many adults encourage imagination and creativity but others are afraid that ...

Colorado kids are built for outdoor time, and WOW! accounts for that with a dedicated outdoor area that gives the museum ...

Pretend play isn’t just fun—it’s a powerful tool for your child’s growth. Studies show it can boost language, social skills, and even long-term mental health. The best part? You don’t need fancy ...

Meghan Walbert is Lifehacker's Managing Editor. She has a degree in journalism and has worked at Lifehacker as a writer and editor since 2018, covering parenting, foster care, online child safety, and ...

Pretend play isn’t just fun—it’s a powerful tool for your child’s growth. From sparking creativity to building empathy and problem-solving skills, it shapes social, emotional, and cognitive ...

Children are incorporating Covid-19 into pretend play. By Paul L. Underwood Last month, I popped into one of my favorite local restaurants. The place is known for its eccentric menu, created daily ...

A series of stunning findings about great apes’ mental capabilities in recent years has transformed how we see our closest relatives ...