The importance of imaginative play for children has been deeply and extensively studied by researchers and experts in child development. (We've literally written books about imaginative play! Playing dress up is an important part of that. Dress up clothes literally allow kids to add sensory elements to their imaginations. Kids can dive into their imaginations more fully to develop skills like social skills, empathy, and emotional regulation, and gain a broader perspective on the world around them. But that doesn't mean that dress up ideas have to be expensive costumes. Instead, focus on imagination when helping your kids find dress up ideas. A tablecloth makes a great superhero cape. A wooden spoon makes a great fairy wand. A parent's button-up shirt makes a perfect lab coat when playing doctor.