15 best role play toys to spark imaginations

Come rain or shine, this wooden ice cream set would make a charming addition to their play set up. Whether they’re opening an ice cream parlour or hosting a tea party, children will love scooping, stacking, and serving their creations.

This set also promotes the development of fine motor skills and encourages role-play scenarios that build social confidence. Ages 3+

This charming wooden 20-piece set includes everything they could want for their perfect picnic.

The sweet wicker basket is lined with gingham fabric to match the mini picnic blanket, ready for them to lay out a tasty assortment of cakes, fruit and bread, with wooden plates and cups to serve. Ages 3+

We adore the detail that's gone into making this mini-me Ooni pizza oven. It comes with a pizza peel, cutter wheel, six-slice pizza and mozzarella, pepperoni and basil toppings, and removable sauce pieces. But the best bit is undoubtedly the realistic flame-effect light!

Complete the gift with this 24-piece pizza topping station. Ages 3+

Roll up, roll up, it's time for the show. If you have an all-singing, all-dancing child, they'll love this quality theatre set for putting on productions. Ensure the audience is well catered for too with this vintage popcorn machine. Ages 3+

Animal lovers will adore playing vet with this 15-piece kit. The set includes a soft cat and dog with carry case, as well as medical equipment – stethoscope, bandages, syringe, thermometer, X-rays – and after-care essentials such as a cone collar, comb and bowl.

JoJo Maman Bebe really has thought of everything a kid might need to ensure hours of fun playing the caring vet. Ages 3+

We pay for everything on plastic these days, but this sweet wooden cash register will still appeal to little ones.

There are real working buttons to press, a wooden credit card to swipe, a scanner to "beep" items, and paper cash and wooden coins for counting and sorting. Fun and learning in one well-priced package. Ages 3+

Nuture their caring side with this beautifully made vintage-style doctor's bag, which they (or you!) will be able to pass down to siblings.

Inside, they'll find nine wooden tools, including a stethoscope, thermometer, needle, surgical scissors, ointment and more. All they need now is the patient (that's you, sorry!). Ages 3+

The multi-story wooden garage set promises hours of fun and imaginative play. With its durable wooden construction and charming design, this set encourages kids to create their own bustling car parks and helicopter adventures.

Whether they're parking cars, operating lifts or zooming down ramps, children develop hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and spatial awareness. The multi-level feature adds layers of excitement, combining entertainment and learning seamlessly.

Designed to look just like a real De’longhi barista-style bean-to-cup coffee machine, Casdon's life-like toy includes a portafilter, two plastic cups, americano coffee pod, cappuccino pod and milk jug with realistic sound effects. Milk and two sugars for us please! Ages 3+

If they're already big fans of their toy kitchen, this wooden BBQ set is a nice extension. It includes plates, cutlery, tongs and even skewers for little ones to thread the food onto. When not being used, everything packs neatly inside the grill. Ages 3+

This charming toy post office set is a first-class ticket to imaginative play! With stamps, envelopes and postcards to post in the letterbox, and parcels to weigh on the working scale, there's plenty to keep them entertained.

It’s great for siblings and perfect for encouraging role play while helping children practise communication, organisation and even early writing skills as they "send" letters and "collect" packages. Whether they’re the postmaster or the speedy delivery driver, this set guarantees endless fun and learning through play—special delivery guaranteed! Ages 3+

If they've ever witnessed you getting ready, chances are they've requested their own smudge of lip balm or blot of blusher.

Keep your cosmetics safe from inquisitive little hands, and give them this fabric bag bursting with wooden toys instead. There's everything from a vintage perfume bottle with a bulb atomiser, a handheld mirror, hair dryer, comb, shell compact makeup kit, lotion, nail varnish, lipstick and a powder puff. Each piece is chunky, with soft edges, making them perfect for budding beauticians. Ages 3+

This toy vacuum cleaner mimics the real Dyson model so well, we found ourselves doing a double take. It's obviously smaller than the real deal, so little ones can use it comfortably, but it even has a working suction (though sadly, not strong enough to replace the adult model).

Colourful balls whizz around the see-through cylinder when you turn it on, with a choice of long handle or short nozzle to play with. Ages 3+

Our kids love coming along on the "big shop" and this sweet set replicates everything they'd find in a real-life Waitrose. There are all the essentials – including yummy croissants, cornflakes and bananas – as well as weighing scales, money and plastic bags to pack everything into.

Complete the set-up with the Waitrose branded toy groceries and shopping cart. Ages 3+

Complete with 12 perfectly sized chunky tools, this DIY bench includes a saw, hammer, screwdriver, spanner, spirit level, bolts, screws, nails and a piece of wood. All of these elements help to develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, all while your aspiring builders and carpenters are busy having fun. Ages 3+