How A Play Tent Enhances Your Child's Development

Childhood is a magical time in our lives when fairies, Santa Claus, mermaids, and unicorns exist— and the responsibilities and daily grind of adulthood do not. When we look back on our childhood, we feel a sense of nostalgia for the freedom and carelessness of those days, and also for the way our imagination could weave new worlds and adventures from the most mundane things. Children have wild imaginations that aren’t constrained by reason, and this ability plays a pivotal role in their social, emotional, and creative development. As adults, we may still be creative, but that line between fantasy and reality becomes much sharper and we aren’t quite as capable of creating everyday magic the way our little ones can. It’s important to nurture that imagination through pretend play, which is why open-ended toys, like a play kitchen set, are great for facilitating this kind of play. You may already have a play kitchen in your little one’s playroom, but a play tent is another useful tool that can really help them creatively explore and develop through play.

The beauty of a play tent is that it isn’t quite as straightforward as something like a play kitchen. There aren’t pots, pans, and an oven in which to bake. It’s a space that can be anything. When your little one is feeling like they’d like some space from the rest of the family, it can be nothing more than their private little sanctuary within the house. When your child is feeling creative and adventurous, the tent can transform into a rocket ship headed for the moon, a sailboat on which they encounter pirates, or a secret hideout deep in the wild. Whatever your little one imagines, their tent is a place that’s all their own, and can therefore be whatever they want it to be. Here are all the ways having a play tent can enhance their development:

Encourages imaginative play

A play tent is as exciting as a newly built fort. It’s like a secret hideaway whose mysteries are only for your little one to unlock. Because it’s perfectly sized for children and not adults, it very much feels like your child’s own space where their imagination can be boundless and unbidden. A play tent provides a sense of protection, stimulates their creativity, and invites storytelling. When your little one is allowed to create their own world and story, they’re able to safely explore their own thoughts and build confidence.

Promotes cooperation and teamwork

If you have more than one child or your little one plays in the tent with a friend, it takes cooperation to play together. Not only is the play tent a confined space in which children need to accommodate each other to both fit comfortably, it encourages them to work together and practice sharing as they role play. For example, if they pretend they are camping in the woods, one might delegate the other to collect firewood while the other gathers berries or other food to eat, then they may switch roles. This type of imaginative play requires teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. 

Develops gross motor skills

It’s easy to take simple movements for granted when you’re an adult, but movements like crawling or ducking in and out of the tent actually help build your child’s coordination and gross motor skills. It develops strength in their muscles and joints, strengthens bilateral coordination between both sides of their brain, and also develops their balance. If your toddler never crawled as a baby, they can still reap all these benefits by practicing the motions in their play tent! 

Provides a safe space

Little kids live in a big world where they have to follow many rules (albeit for their own good), and a play tent can be a private little haven where they can create their own rules and play by themselves. In their bedroom, they may play independently, but still under your watchful eyes to make sure they’re staying safe and out of trouble. In a play tent, however, they can be in the same room as you while still having a sense of freedom and privacy. When they’re upset, they can retreat into the tent to have quiet time or escape to an imaginary world, then join the family again when they’re ready to come out. 

The Toki play tent is made from Oeko-Tex® STANDARD 100 certified polyester that is safe and non-toxic for both your little one and the environment. It’s designed to perfectly fit a standard size Toki mat so that your child can sit or lay comfortably for as long as they’re playing. The tent is easily assembled within a few minutes and can also be disassembled and compactly stored in its original bag. Thanks to the lightweight materials, your little one can carry it from room to room and even help with assembly. Find a play tent in your perfect print here!