15 Pretend Play Prompts for Preschoolers (Inspired by Everyday Fun — and a Little Bluey)
If you’ve ever been stumped when your child says, “Let’s play!” — you’re not alone. That’s where having a list of pretend play prompts comes in handy. These are simple, everyday scenarios that you can set up in minutes, often using nothing but stuffed animals or things around the house.
And yes, many of them are inspired by the joyful, everyday adventures of Bluey — because if there’s one show that celebrates pretend play, it’s that one!
15 Pretend Play Prompts
1. Stuffie Bus Route
Line up stuffed animals on the floor like they’re passengers. Take turns being the bus driver, making stops, and dropping them off at their destinations.
Learning focus: Turn-taking, sequencing, storytelling.
2. Restaurant or Café
Set up a pretend kitchen or table with menus (paper + crayons work fine). One person is the chef, one the waiter, and one the customer.
Learning focus: Role play, communication, manners.
3. Vet’s Office
Stuffed animals become patients. Use a toy doctor kit (or spoons + bandages) to “check them in,” give shots, and wrap paws.
Learning focus: Empathy, problem-solving, caregiving.
4. Post Office
Make “letters” with paper or sticky notes. Deliver them to baskets, boxes, or rooms around the house.
Learning focus: Literacy awareness, matching, movement.
5. Airport Adventure
Line up chairs like airplane seats. One person is the pilot, others are passengers. Add luggage (backpacks, lunchboxes). Pretend to go through security, take off, and land.
Learning focus: Sequencing, following steps, imagination.
6. Doctor or Dentist Visit
Pretend one person is the patient, the other is the doctor/dentist. Use flashlights, craft sticks, and bandages as props.
Learning focus: Reducing fear of real-life appointments, role play.
7. Library or Bookshop
Stack books and let one child be the librarian, stamping and checking them out. Another pretends to browse or read to the group.
Learning focus: Literacy love, social interaction.
8. Grocery Store
Use empty boxes, play food, or real pantry items. One child is the cashier, another the shopper. Add play money for extra math practice.
Learning focus: Counting, sorting, life skills.
9. Supermarket Sweep (Bluey-inspired!)
Pretend you’re racing through the store with a silly shopping list (e.g., “5 bananas, a hat, and a toy dinosaur”). Gather toys to “check off” the list.
Learning focus: Memory, problem-solving, gross motor.
10. Post-Bluey Classics: Magic Xylophone
Use a toy instrument (or even a spoon on a pot). Pretend it can “freeze” or “unfreeze” family members like in Bluey’s Magic Xylophone.
Learning focus: Cause-and-effect, laughter, creativity.
11. Building Site
Use blocks, recyclables, or pillows to “construct” buildings. Assign roles: foreman, builder, machine operator.
Learning focus: Cooperation, engineering basics.
12. Train Station
Stuffed animals or family members line up as passengers. Someone is the conductor, punching “tickets” (paper slips). Announce silly destinations.
Learning focus: Sequencing, storytelling, math (counting tickets).
13. Royal Tea Party
Dress up with scarves or paper crowns. Invite dolls and stuffies to a fancy tea, complete with pretend food.
Learning focus: Social skills, role play, manners.
14. Firefighters on a Mission
Chairs become fire trucks, pillows are fires, and spray bottles (water optional!) “put them out.”
Learning focus: Teamwork, bravery, dramatic play.
15. Camping in the Living Room
Use blankets and pillows for a tent. Pretend to roast marshmallows, tell stories, and listen for animal sounds.
Learning focus: Imagination, storytelling, family bonding.
Pretend play doesn’t require elaborate setups — just a little imagination and a willingness to join in. Whether you’re driving the “stuffie bus,” serving lunch at a pretend restaurant, or acting out your favorite Bluey episode, you’re helping your child develop language, problem-solving, empathy, and creativity.
Next time your child says, “Play with me!” try one of these prompts. The best part? You’re not just filling time — you’re building memories.
