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

Role-playing games are among the most popular games for children. And that's a good thing, because imitating adults is not only fun, but also extremely important for child development. You probably still remember your long afternoons of play, with your nursery school friends and neighbours' children. But what role-playing games do children like to play most? There are no limits to their creativity, . Nevertheless, we took a look at the most popular role-playing games for children and show you how you can support your little ones' gaming experience and explain why role-playing games are so helpful for child development.

Why role-playing is so important for children

Seeing the world through different eyes opens our minds to new things and makes us more understanding and tolerant. Role-playing games enable children in particular to learn important skills for their future lives .

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 able to empathise with them better. Children also learn a lot from each other by observing one another.
Practising social processes and behaviours: Even in the "mother-father-child game", the little ones have to agree on who takes on which role. This teaches children to listen to each other, to get involved in what is happening and, if necessary, to compromise . That's quite a lot for our little ones. But the earlier they approach such social behaviours, the easier they will be for them later on.
Promoting language skills: Discussing things with each other also promotes the language skills of our little ones, as it encourages them to 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 re-enacting situations. For example, if a visit to the doctor is coming up, it will no longer seem quite so scary if the child can put themselves in the doctor's shoes afterwards. This is an interesting aspect that allows you to classify your child's feelings and understand what is on their mind.

When are role-playing games appropriate?

Children can slowly start to explore role-playing games as early as 3 years of age. Of course, these are still very simple stories. But role-playing games grow with them and become increasingly complex. From around the age of 5, most children are already better able to plan role-playing games , think up storylines and engage in more detailed exchanges. The enjoyment of role-playing games often continues well into primary school age.

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 some props that will make the game even more enjoyable.

The classics: play kitchen and play shop

We love the good old classics play shop and play kitchen. The play kitchen is especially great fun for the little ones. They can make endless amounts of imaginary tea, bake pizzas and prepare many other delicacies.

Did you know that you can also use the back side from the IKEA DUKTIG children's kitchen? Simply turn it around and you have another backdrop for role play. Whether it's an ice cream parlour, pizzeria, kiosk or street food stand – , you can play whatever your heart desires.

FRONTLI

Decal for IKEA DUKTIG play kitchen

€19.95

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KÖKSET

Decal for IKEA DUKTIG play kitchen

€19.95

MARMOR

Decal for IKEA DUKTIG play kitchen

€21.95

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KACHLA METRO

Decal for IKEA DUKTIG play kitchen

€19.95

KREIDIG

Blackboard film for IKEA DUKTIG play kitchen (back)

€29.95

LÄDERIG

Leather handles for IKEA DUKTIG play kitchen

€22.95

Another role-playing game that has been popular for generations: the play shop. In the play shop, our little ones can really let off steam . With the right accessories, the play shop is almost exactly like the adult version. Our adhesive foil set includes a checkout conveyor, credit cards and a scanner.

Our play shop LILLE BUD is especially suitable for small children's rooms. You don't need any extra furniture for it! Simply stick the foil to the wall, drape a few old boxes or a table that you already have around it, and the role play can begin.

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LÄCKER

Handicraft set play kitchen & play shop (PDF download)

€12.95

DIY accessories for play shop and play kitchen

To make the play shop role play almost like the grown-ups in a real supermarket, you can make great accessories together with your children. In our free craft set, you will receive product dividers, customer cards and more to print out. Simply fill in your details and we will send you your craft templates.

Visit to the doctor's office

Of course, our list of the best role-playing games for children would not be complete without the doctor's office. After all, especially after a visit to the paediatrician, children like to re-enact their experiences in role-playing games. Cuddly teddy bears love to be patients and are given a thorough examination and treated by the doctor. You can also support this popular role-playing game with simple means. How about an IKEA doctor's office hack? This great combination of the IKEA LACK coffee table and the SKADIS pegboard from Sweden is the ideal environment for little paediatricians or veterinarians. All the necessary utensils can be stored on the pegboard and are quickly at hand in an emergency – just like at a real paediatrician's office.

Play fire station

The IKEA KURA bunk bed can be transformed into a fantastic fire station with the FEUERWEHR sticker, where little firefighters can let off steam.

Personalised

FEUERWEHR

Decal for IKEA KURA bed

€49.95

Laundromat

This great IKEA hack is a little unusual, but it's sure to be a lot of fun ! For the full laundromat experience, you can also recreate this cool Montessori children's laundry rack.

Veterinarian on the farm

Our children's tables can be used to create truly wonderful play worlds. And with a little creativity, your children can come up with great role-playing games . How about playing veterinarian on the farm, for example?

play kitchen For outdoors

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

What role-playing games do children play at home?

Of course, children play a wide variety of role-playing games. Whether it's father, mother, child or police check – role-playing games are very important for development. Children learn to communicate with each other, to empathise with others and to perceive situations from different perspectives . That's why you should definitely support your little actors' play worlds – with costumes, make-up and props. What role-playing games do children like to play most at your house ? We hope you have lots of fun decorating, dressing up, playing and learning!

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