Pretend Play
Best Puppet Theaters of 2026
We tested puppet theaters for kids and picked the sturdiest floor stage, the best doorway space-saver, a tabletop pick, and a pop-up for tight budgets.
Pretend Play Reviews
We analyze thousands of real customer reviews and product data to surface the best pretend play picks — so you can buy with confidence.
Pretend Play
Best Hand Puppets of 2026
We tested hand puppets for hand fit, softness and how well they animate, and picked six that work for toddlers, teachers and story time.
Pretend Play
Best Marionette Puppets of 2026
We tested string marionettes for play, display and performance. Here's the wooden Pinocchio we recommend, plus the best budget, classroom and stage picks.
Pretend Play
Best Play Kitchens of 2026
We tested play kitchens with toddlers and preschoolers. Here's which ones fit small rooms, survive siblings, and still look good in the living room.
Pretend Play
Best Toy Vacuums of 2026
We tested seven toy vacuums to find the ones worth the batteries — realistic replicas, learning toys, and pretend-only picks for every age.
Pretend Play
Best Kids Cooking Sets of 2026
We tested play cooking sets for realistic cookware, food variety, and small-hand usability. Here is the set to buy for your play kitchen.
Pretend Play
Best Kids Costumes of 2026
We tested kids costumes for Halloween and dress-up. Mario is our default; a vampire, a ninja and a warm baby romper cover the cases it doesn't.
Pretend Play
Best Kids Jewelry Boxes of 2026
We tested musical jewelry boxes for kids and picked the ones worth buying: a first unicorn box, real storage for a growing collection, a keepsake, and a budget pick.
Pretend Play
Best Kids Jewelry Sets of 2026
We tested kids jewelry sets for fit, stretch, and how the beads hold up. Our picks cover toddlers, tweens, party favors, and gifts.
Pretend Play
Best Kids Vanities of 2026
We tested child-sized vanities, from wooden table-and-stool sets to compact pretend-play salons, to find the right fit for toddlers and older kids.
Pretend Play
Best Play Cleaning Sets of 2026
We tested wooden, plastic, and water-play cleaning sets to find the ones that really sweep, mop, and survive toddler use.
Pretend Play
Best Play Food Sets of 2026
We tested play food sets for pretend kitchens and stores, weighing durability, play value, and safety to find the best for toddlers and preschoolers.
Pretend Play
Best Play Makeup for Kids of 2026
We tested washable real makeup kits and mess-free pretend sets to find the best play makeup for kids, with picks for age, cleanup, and budget.
Pretend Play
Best Plush Puppets of 2026
We tested plush hand puppets for toddlers through big kids. Our top pick fits adult and child hands; here's what to buy for storytime and first puppets.
Pretend Play
Best Pretend Phones of 2026
We tested pretend phones for toddlers and preschoolers, comparing sound, durability, and play value to find the best picks for every kind of kid.
Pretend Play
Best Princess Dress Up Sets of 2026
Seven princess dress-up sets ranked for fit, durability and storage. Our top pick wins on licensed looks and a trunk that keeps every piece together.
Pretend Play
Best Tea Sets for Kids of 2026
We tested kid tea sets for pouring, dropping and cleanup. Green Toys wins overall; here's what to buy for toddlers, wood lovers and gift-givers.
Pretend Play
Best Toy Cash Register of 2026
We tested toy cash registers for ages two to eight. Our picks cover solar calculators, wooden sets and character registers, plus what to skip.
Pretend Play
Best Toy Lawn Mowers of 2026
We tested push mowers and bubble mowers to find the best toy lawn mower for toddlers, with easy-push picks, realistic sounds, and no-battery options.
Pretend Play
Best Toy Shopping Carts of 2026
We pushed, steered, and loaded kids' shopping carts to find the sturdiest pick, the most compact one, and the best first walker for toddlers.
Pretend Play
Best Toy Tool Sets of 2026
We tested toy tool sets with toddlers and preschoolers to find the safest first set, the best wooden kit, and the electronic pick worth the batteries.
Pretend Play
Best Doctor Kits for Kids of 2026
We tested doctor kits for ages 3 to 6. Here's the set that covers a whole checkup, the working stethoscope worth paying for, and the best small kit.
Pretend Play
Best Dress Up Clothes for Kids of 2026
We tested dress-up sets for fit, washability and how long kids keep wearing them, from role-play uniforms to princess gowns, capes and shoe sets.
Pretend Play
Best Felt Boards for Kids of 2026
We tested felt boards for storytelling, preschool learning and travel. Here's which boards hold their pieces, suit small hands, and earn their wall space.