When I was a child, my brother and I ran through the woods inventing all sorts of pretend games. We built makeshift shelters, gathered make-believe foods, and started our own villages. Back then, Gilligan’s Island was popular on TV and we often pretended we were stranded on a deserted island and had to survive off the land.
On rainy days, when we were stuck inside, we drew buttons and levers on pieces of paper and taped them to the walls inside the closet for a makeshift rocket ship. We would travel through space and land on uncharted planets. Looking around the house through a pretend lens, we saw foreign objects to explore and collect samples from.
On other days, my brother and idea stood books on end to make houses for Barbie and GI Joe to live in. We used aluminum foil to sculpt plates and cups, etc., for them to use.
None of the games we played involved technology. Granted, today is a different story, but shouldn’t there still be time for these adventures? Time when we have to use our own imaginations rather than have a screen do it for us. It doesn’t have to cost anything, except your time. At first, children might not know what to do – so do it with them. Trust me, they’ll catch on quick!
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