Imagine That! 11 Spots Where Creative Kids Can Play Pretend

In a land not so far away there are awesome places for all day imaginary play.

By Allison Sutcliffe July 26, 2017

Forget “playing” dress-up. Your sidekick sports her creative get-up anywhere and everywhere. Because for her, pretend play isn’t reserved for playtime; it’s a way of life. Celebrate her super-sized imagination at museums and parks that take it to the next level. Flip through to find spots where your kiddo can dream of being president, take to the seas pirate style, go on safari and more!

Happily Ever After at Storyland – New Orleans, La

Hunker down with the Three Little Pigs; climb aboard Cinderella’s pumpkin chariot; walk the plank of Captain Hook’s ship—your kids can do it all here. This enchanting little playground, located inside New Orleans' City Park (it's less than five miles from the French Quarter), is filled with 20 life-size storybook sculptures—from a climbable Rapunzel’s castle to a fire-breathing dragon slide. Done playing make-believe? Head over to the next-door Carousel Gardens, a small but magical amusement park nestled beneath the park’s sprawling web of live oak trees.

Online: neworleanscitypark.com/in-the-park/storyland

photo: Steve I. via Yelp.

Where do you take your kids for imaginary play? Share with us in a Comment below.

—Allison Sutcliffe & Melissa Heckscher