CREATE · STAY PLAYFUL PROJECT
Make a Pretend World
A sheet of paper becomes a place full of possibilities.
- Ages 4+ with a grown-up
- 15–25 minutes
- Free activity
A LITTLE PREPARATION
Before you begin
Choose age-appropriate materials with a grown-up. No cutting or glue is needed. Keep small pieces away from younger children.
What you’ll need
- Paper or a clean piece of cardboard.
- Crayons or washable markers.
- Optional: large blocks or clean, empty boxes checked by a grown-up.
A chance to practice
Explore planning, making, and describing an imaginary place.
YOUR ILLUSTRATED GUIDE
Watch & try
About 2 minutes of guidance.
As much playtime as you like.
Start a step, then take time to try it. Choose Next step whenever you’re ready. Captions stay on; sound is optional.
✳ Stay Playful ProjectStep 1 of 6Ready when you are.
Imagine your world
Will you make a dinosaur garden, a tiny town, or a home among the stars? Choose an idea and tell someone one thing that belongs there.
What is your world called?
GO AT YOUR OWN PACE
Let’s give it a try.
Imagine your world
Will you make a dinosaur garden, a tiny town, or a home among the stars? Choose an idea and tell someone one thing that belongs there.
What is your world called?
Draw the ground
Use paper as your map. Draw a path, river, or winding road. It can be one simple line. Leave space for the places you want to add.
Where does your path go?
Make a special place
Draw a house, garden, cave, or castle. If you like, use a large block or empty box for a building. Decide who might spend time there.
What happens in this place?
Add someone to visit
Draw a person, animal, or imaginary creature. Give them a name and decide where they will go. You can move your finger around the map as your character.
Who is exploring your world?
Invite an idea
Ask a partner to suggest one new place or adventure. Find room for their idea. Playing alone? Imagine what a visitor would want to discover.
What could you add together?
Take a tiny adventure
Tell a story as your character follows the path. Keep building away from the screen, or save your map to explore another day. Tidy materials together afterward.
What will happen on your next visit?
Make it your own.
Make it simpler
Draw one home and one path. A grown-up can draw while the child chooses what to include.
Try a new challenge
Add a bridge or another route. Explain how your character can travel between two places.
Play your way
Describe an imaginary world aloud if drawing or materials are not available. A partner can help place or draw objects.
Stay Playful Project · stayplayfulproject.org/play-and-learn/make-a-pretend-world/