Your child's imagination can make a shoe transform into a trailer or a boat, while a margarine container becomes a swimming pool or a foot stool for a doll.

Sure, you can buy many toys and props that will add to your child's imaginative play. However, you can engage your child's imagination and creativity in making these simple props as well. Props for pretend play don't need to be elaborate.

Doctor's and Nurse's Hat

These easy-to-make props will enhance your child's imaginative play.

• Fold each sheet of bond paper lengthwise into thirds, then fold in half. Let your child glue the folds to form a band. Glue two together lengthwise to make a longer band. For the doctor's hat, the band needs to fit completely around your child's head. For the nurse's hat, the band only needs to go two-thirds of the way around. You may need to trim off excess.

• To make the nurse's hat, fold up the corner of each end to form a triangle. Reopen slightly and attach to your child's head with bobby pins.

• To make the doctor's hat, help your child cover the cardboard disc with the tin foil to create the mirror. Let your child glue the disc on the front of the band. Secure the hat at the ends with glue.

• Let your child decorate the hats with crayons.

Shopping Bag/Purse

Toddlers love to tote their toys around. Here is a fun craft that yours can make. Always use caution when using long ribbons or cords that could pose a strangulation hazard.

• Cut the pillow case in half crosswise to create a shorter case.

• Let your child decorate the pillow case with fabric paints.

• When the paint is dry, gather a small amount of fabric from each end of the opening. Tie the ribbon to the fabric to make the handle.

Paper Bag Vest

Your child can decorate this vest to suit her imagination. It can be a cowboy vest, an astronaut suit, or perhaps a police uniform!

• If the bag has printing on it, gently turn it inside out.

• Cut a straight line up the middle of the front of the bag.

• On what was the bottom of the bag, cut a hole large enough for your child's head.

• Cut armholes on each side, positioned two to three inches below the fold.

• Provide different materials for your child to use to decorate the vest.

Silly Glasses

Now your child can truly see the world through rose-colored lenses. Remember these glasses are just for play and will not protect your child's eyes from the sun.

• Use the paper cup to trace two circles on the poster board. Leave about an inch between them to leave room for the bridge.

• Cut the glasses frame out in one piece.

• Cut out an inner circle in each eye, leaving a one-inch rim.

• Cut out cellophane pieces slightly larger than the eye holes. Help your child glue them in place to create lenses.

• Punch a hole in the far end of each frame.

• Loop and attach a pipe cleaner into each hole, then bend back the other end for the ear pieces. Be sure no wires are exposed on the pipe cleaners.

• Let your child decorate the glasses with crayons.