What role-playing games do children play? The most popular play worlds

Role-playing games are among the most popular children's games. And that's a good thing ! Because imitating adults is not only fun, but also hugely important for children's development. You probably still remember your extended play afternoons with kindergarten buddies and neighbourhood kids. But what are children's favourite role-playing games? There are no limits to their creativity . Nevertheless, we have taken a look at the most popular role-playing games for children and show you how you can support your little ones' play experience and explain why role-playing games are so helpful for child development.

Why role play is so important for children

Looking at the world through different eyes opens our eyes to new things and makes us more understanding and tolerant. Children in particular can learn important skills for their future life through role play.

Promoting tolerance and empathy: By slipping into different roles, they develop a better understanding of different people and professions. Tolerance towards the roles grows as the little ones are better able to empathise with them. Children also learn a lot from each other by observing each other.
Practising social processes and behaviour: As early as in the "mother-father-child game", the little ones have to agree on who takes on which role. This teaches the children to listen to each other, to get involved in the action themselves and possibly to compromise . Quite a lot for our little ones. However, the earlier they get to grips with such social behaviour, the easier it will be for them later on.
Promoting linguistic skills: Talking to each other also promotes the linguistic skills of our favourite little people, as they use new words and learn to express their opinions and interests.
Processing feelings and experiences : In role play, intense experiences and feelings can be processed by acting out situations. For example, a visit to the doctor no longer seems quite so frightening if the child can put themselves in the doctor's shoes afterwards. An interesting aspect of being able to categorise your child's feelings and understand what is on their mind.

When are role-playing games suitable from?

Children as young as 3 years old can slowly get to grips with role-playing games. Of course, these are still very simple stories. But role-playing games grow with them and become more and more complex. From around the age of 5, most children are better able to plan role-playing games, think about storylines and discuss them in more detail . The joy of role-playing often lasts well into the primary school years.

Ideas for role-playing games for children

There are no limits to creativity here! You will certainly be amazed at what your child will come up with on their own. But you can of course support your little one with a few props to make the fun of the game even greater.

The classics: play kitchen and play shop

We love the good old classics play shop and play kitchen. Especially the play kitchenis great fun even for the little ones. You can make loads of imaginary tea, bake pizza and prepare many other delicacies.

Did you know that you can also use the back side of the IKEA DUKTIG play kitchen* ? Simply turn it round and you have another setting for a role-playing game. Whether it's an ice cream parlour, pizzeria, kiosk or street food stand - here you can play whatever your heart desires.

FRONTLI

€19.95

Decal for IKEA DUKTIG play kitchen

klebefolie ikea duktig kinderkueche koekset weiss 01

KÖKSET

€19.95

Decal for IKEA DUKTIG play kitchen

MARMOR

€21.95

Decal for IKEA DUKTIG play kitchen

klebefolie ikea duktig kinderkueche kalchla metro weiss 00

KACHLA METRO

€19.95

Decal for IKEA DUKTIG play kitchen

KREIDIG

€29.95

Blackboard film for IKEA DUKTIG play kitchen (back)

LÄDERIG

€22.95

Leather handles for IKEA DUKTIG play kitchen

Another role-playing game that has been a favourite for generations: play shop. Our little ones can really let off steam in the play shop . With the right accessories, the play shop is even almost exactly like the adults. Our adhesive film set includes a checkout conveyor, credit cards and a scanner.

Our play shop LILLE BUDis especially suitable for small children's rooms. You don't need an extra piece of furniture for this ! You simply stick the film to the wall, drape a few old boxes or a table that you already have around it and the role play can begin.

Personalised

LILLE BUD

€39.95

Decal for DIY play shop

Personalised

LILLE BUD

€39.95

Decal for DIY play shop

stickerset kinderkueche kaufladen zubehoer laecker 00

LÄCKER

€12.95

Handicraft set play kitchen & play shop (PDF download)

DIY accessories for play shop and play kitchen

So that the play shop role play is almost like the big ones in the real supermarket, you can make great accessories together with your kids. In our free craft kit, you can print out product dividers, customer cards and more . Simply enter your details and we'll send you your craft templates.

Visit to the uncle doctor

Of course, the doctor's surgery should not be missing from our list of the best role-playing games for children. Because especially after a visit to the paediatrician, children like to imitate their experiences again in role-playing games. The cuddly teddy friends are happy to be patients and are put through their paces and treated by their uncle doctor. You can also support this popular role-playing game with simple means. How about a doctor's surgery IKEA hack? This great combination of the IKEA LACK* coffee table and the SKADIS* perforated board from Sweden is the ideal environment for little paediatricians or vets. All the necessary utensils can be stored on the perforated panel and are also quickly to hand in an emergency - just like a real paediatrician.

Play fire station

The IKEA Kura bunk bed* can be transformed into a great fire station with the FEUERWEHR sticker, where little firemen and women can let off steam.

Personalised

FEUERWEHR

€49.95

Decal for IKEA KURA bed

Launderette

This great IKEA hack is a bit more unusual but is sure to be great fun ! For the whole launderette experience, you can also build this cool Montessori children's clothes horse.

Vet on the farm

With our children's tables, you can create really beautiful play worlds. And with a little creativity, your kids can come up with great role-playing games around it . How about a vet on the farm, for example?

play kitchen for outdoors

In the summer, the classic role-playing game play kitchen can also be wonderfully moved outside. Then the little master chefs simply prepare a delicious sand cake in the mud kitchen in the kitchen.

What role-playing games do children play at home?

Of course children play a wide variety of role-playing games. Whether father, mother, child or police control - role play is very important for development. Children learn to communicate with each other, to put themselves in the shoes of others and to perceive situations from different perspectives . You should therefore definitely support the play worlds of your little actors - preferably with costumes, make-up and props. What are your children's favourite role-playing games at ? We wish you lots of fun decorating, dressing up, playing and learning!

* All links marked with an asterisk are advertising links that refer to the website of IKEA or to pages of other advertising partners.

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