Do you feel like you need fancy setups or step-by-step guides to spark a child’s imagination? You don't. Sometimes, all it takes is a few thoughtfully chosen toys and a bit of space to create an invitation to play. Set out a treehouse, some wooden animals, maybe a tiny cup, and watch what unfolds. One minute they’re serving tea to a doll, the next they’re off on a jungle rescue with a bear and a spoon. No screens. No rules. Just pure, self-led play.

That’s the beauty of an invitation to play. It’s a simple way to encourage creativity, focus, and independent thinking. In this blog, we’ll walk you through easy ways to create playful invitations. Whether you have five minutes or a whole afternoon, these ideas are designed to invite curious little minds.

What Is an Invitation to Play?

It’s exactly what it sounds like. You’re setting out a few carefully chosen items in a way that invites your child to explore, imagine, and take the lead.

There’s no one way to do it. You’re simply offering the first scene in the story, and your child runs with it.

Why It’s Worth Trying an Invitation to Play

Let’s be honest. Not every parent has time (or energy) to craft elaborate setups with various themes for an invitation to play. But this approach is about less, not more.

With a simple invitation, you can:

Plus, it gives you a front-row seat to how your child thinks, feels, and creates.

Start Small: What You’ll Need to Create an Invitation to Play

There’s no shopping list required. Most invitations can be pulled together from what you already own. Just think about what kind of play your child usually enjoys, and build from there.

Here are a few go-to items we love:

Don’t overthink it. A dish towel can be a picnic blanket. A cardboard box can be a mountain. Kids will fill in the blanks faster than you think.

4 Quick Ideas to Get You Started

You can pull these invitation to play together in no time and each one works beautifully for toddlers and preschoolers alike.

1. The Busy Town Scene

Use a mat or play cloth as a base. Add a few vehicles, some peg dolls, and a few blocks to act as buildings. Let your child decide where the cars are going, who lives in the tall tower, and what happens when a fire truck arrives.

2. Woodland Animal Rescue

Lay out a piece of green or brown fabric and scatter a few animals like bears, foxes, or birds. Add a wooden person figure and maybe a bowl for “food” or “medicine.” Suddenly you’ve got a forest hospital or an animal daycare.

Try it with the QToys Forest Animals Set or Tenderleaf Wildlife Camping Playset.

3. Morning in the Dollhouse

Set up a cozy dollhouse corner with two dolls, a breakfast scene, and a tiny bed. Ask your child what the family’s morning looks like. Are they late for school? Is it pancake day? Maybe someone forgot to brush their teeth.

Use the Viga Small Wooden Dolls House with Furniture & Dolls to create the setting.

4. A Story Waiting to Happen

Set out a crown, a wooden sword, a dragon, and a scarf that could be a cape or a river or whatever your child decides. No need to explain. Just leave it on the rug and wait. You might walk back in to find a full-blown kingdom under construction.

Keep It Simple, Keep It Inviting

Here are a few things that make a big difference:

When you step back and let your child take the lead, you’ll start to see the magic. They might talk to their toys, act out something they saw, or come up with a whole new game on their own. They’ll use familiar things in new ways, stay focused longer, and build skills without even trying.

You don’t need a fancy setup or a big plan to create an invitation to play. Just offer a few inviting pieces and give them room to explore. That’s often all it takes to spark imagination and let real learning unfold through play.

Need a few new toys to create an invitation to play? Check out our collection of play sets that are made to grow with your child and their ever-changing stories.