What are the best things to have in a toy box intended for imaginary or pretend play?

I also find that wooden toys are great. Plus any toys that replicate home-based routines, like kitchen set ups including tea cups and kettle, plastic cutlery and shopping set ups. We also have a mini hospital imaginary play with some blankets for the bed and a plastic stethoscope and thermometer with dolls.

I love open-ended resources like pieces of material, blocks and natural things like sticks, pine cones and leaves. The kinds of things that don't have one set use allow children to use their imagination and be creative and innovative.

Any kind of costume items be they hats or vests or utility belts, are always good to have. In addition to building blocks, we like to have some toy tools, Play-Doh, and as many balls as I can comfortable store, like tennis balls and kick balls and those soft pink ones. Also, plastic dinosaurs and stuffed animals are also great. The more the merrier.

I find that my kids are the most imaginative with the classics! Legos and building blocks are always out at my house and their imagination goes wild with them. I think that kindergarteners would also do well with various crafts. Bingo dabbers are really fun and something different to explore. Magazine collages might also be another good idea.

Though they are a little pricey (you can find knock-offs) magnatiles are also great for all ages. I don't think my kids will ever grow out of them!