In this hurry-scurry world, open-ended, imaginative play time for kids (alone and with mom and dad) is a treasure that shouldn't be lost. However, unstructured play time has dropped by 15% to 25% in one generation.* Following are tips for parents to help encourage more imaginative play in their children from pre-school on up.   This imaginative play time can be more valuable to a child's development than screen time or any structured activities (sports, clubs) he's signed up for. 

Ages 2-5

"Look, I made a castle to keep me safe!"

Your child's imagination begins to bloom during these early years...

He'll use DUPLO™ blocks in pretend play, to help him tell stories of good guys and bad guys, to try to recreate the world around him and make it less scary and more under his control.  

•  Get down on the floor. Join in the fun as the different colors, shapes and patterns become a child's play paradise.  

•  Pay attention. Notice how focused his attention can be as he narrates to himself what comes next. "Now I need a blue one here." It's all in fun, but he's learning valuable skills, too.

Ages 6-10

"Hey, look what this can do!"

These early school years are a time for your child's sense of mastery to soar. What better way than through playtime with LEGO? As he builds his latest structure, his hand-eye coordination, selective attention, and creativity all benefit. But be careful, adults tend to want to be in charge, and that's no fun at all.  

•  Follow, don't lead. Nothing turns a kid's imagination off faster than having a grown-up tell them what to do.  

•  Reawaken your inner child. Truly join in the fun, be silly, make illogical combinations.    Have as much fun knocking it down as building it up.

•  There's no right or wrong play. Kids know that half the fun is not knowing what your creation will end up being, so relax and don't worry about the outcome.

•  Delight in the mess. Inspiration comes and goes, so designate a "messy zone" that your child can revisit whenever the spirit moves him.

•  Chat while you play. Treat this play time together as a chance to get to know your child's interests. Just be sure the talk doesn't get in the way of the fun!