The 5 Best Pretend Play Toys for Toddlers in 2022

Before your little ones start crying for a tablet of a phone, you should probably introduce them to the wonders of good ol’ toys. However, the toys we’re presenting to you today aren’t just playthings, but they’re also meant to be educational. If you seek one such toy, then you’ve come to the right place, because we’ve got a list of top five pretend to play toys and educational toys just for you.

Why Pretend Play Toys are Good for Your Toddlers?

Pretend play toys help in inspiring creativity and imaginations. They are best suited for kids between the ages of 2 to 5 year olds.

The 5 Best Pretend Play Toys for Kids

Learning Resources Pretend & Play Cash Register

Up first is a toy from Learning Resources. Learning Resources is a respectable manufacturer of toys that follow the STEM program (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), so you’ll be seeing this name a lot on our list.

The first toy we’ll present is a Pretend & Play Cash Register. This little pink register features a real calculator and dials, pretend credit card scanner and credit card, a cash drawer with slots for money, as well as 30 pretend bills and 40 plastic coins. Upon opening, the register produces an authentic “cha-ching” sound, adding satisfaction to each purchase. The register is an excellent way of teaching your child money management as well as some basic, simple math.

One of the best things about the register is that its calculator is solar powered, thus removing needs for any batteries, which also eliminates the possibility of your child playing with those acid-based batteries, because, let’s face it, young children like putting things in their mouths. You only need to expose the cash register to direct sunlight, and it should start working. On the other hand, some customers have reported that sunshine doesn’t always do the trick, but the effect can be replicated with a lamp.

Learning Resources Fishing Set

Next up, we’ve got another Learning Resources toy, and, this time, it’s a Fishing Set. The fishing set is an excellent toy, promoting much more than merely pretend play. The set is made up of 11 pieces, all packed into a tackle box. The parts include a vest, a hat, three fish, a fishing pole, a fishing net and three worms, along with an activity guide.

The hook on the end of the rod also includes a magnet, as well as the fish, so that the child can hook the fish. This pretend play toy is a great way for your child not only because they will learn about fishing and fish, but also because they will get a chance to practice their hand-eye coordination and motor skills, but also prompt their imagination and even social skills.

Naturally, this toy carries some hazards, mainly strangulation hazard and choking hazard, so it’s not recommended for children under three years of age. On top of that, be careful your child doesn’t swallow a magnet in the fish or the hook.

Little Cosmetics Pretend Makeup Signature Set

At spot number three, we find something for the girls (although, if boys like to play with this, we won’t judge). Namely, it’s Little Cosmetics Pretend Makeup Signature Set. This set contains several makeup holders, pretend lip gloss and three drugstore-quality brushes, all packed neatly into a makeup bag.

Naturally, the makeup in this toy set isn’t real. The makeup is just colored foam, but they’re very convincing. When you go over them with a brush, nothing will come off, and the set is entirely mess-free and safe for your child. This goes for lip gloss too – the roller is just plastic and doesn’t contain any makeup or chemical that would rub off on your child’s skin. The whole set is made of very sturdy plastic, so can rest assured the set will endure some rough play on your child’s part.

Learning Resources Pretend & Play Doctor Set

And, once again, we’ve got a Learning Resources toy set. This time, the pretend play toy in question is a Doctor Set, containing all the things your child needs to learn and pretend play as a certified doctor of medicine.

This set contains 19 pieces, and all these parts are neatly packed into a plastic box for secure storage. Along with the box, you’ll be getting 3 plastic bandages, made as loops to be put around a finger, a stethoscope playing a realistic heat beat, a pair of glasses, a thermometer, tweezers, a blood pressure cuff, a reflex hammer, an ear scope, a plastic syringe, a pair of scissors, a plastic scalper, forceps and even a battery-powered cell phone that plays a ringing tone. The batteries for the stethoscope are provided, but you’ll need to provide 2 AAA batteries for the phone.

This Doctor Set has multiple benefits. Not only will it let you teach your little one something about human anatomy, but it also familiarizes your child with the essential tools a pediatrician may use, thus easing the child’s anxiety about visits to the doctor. The set also contains a dental mirror, so your little one will also be less afraid of going to the dentist too.

KidKraft Uptown Espresso Kitchen

Our final product is the biggest and the most expensive set. KidKraft Uptown Espresso Kitchen is a large toy set for children who hang out around a kitchen and who’ve taken an interest in how mom makes all that delicious food.

The entire set is a miniature kitchen, complete with a fridge and a freezer, a microwave, an oven and a dishwasher, a sink, as well as the shelves above the sink and a countertop. All the doors are operable and can open and close without effort. The oven also features pretend burners and dials. Uptown Kitchen also features a small pot and spoon and a couple of bowls.

This kitchen set will let your child learn about the kitchen and all the things that are available in the kitchen. It might even interest your child in culinary arts, but, for now, it’s a good vocabulary exercise, and will provide your child with a way to cook a good meal for their guests at the tea party.

Conclusion

And, there you have it, parents, five toys your kids are sure to love. As you’ve seen, we’ve selected toys that are not only for play but will also serve a more serious purpose. These pretend play toys are good because of their educational values, as well as the entertainment they provide.