Kids explore the world around them through play. What we see as a fun, pretend conversation between two of your child's stuffed animals is actually much more than that. Kids rehearse different life scenarios during pretend play, and each one can serve a different purpose to the child.

As children create scenarios for themselves, or for their toys, they are actually building narratives and perfecting their language skills. Providing children with an inviting and cozy space to engage in pretend play encourages them to do more learning.

The crawling, turning, ducking and stooping kids do to get in and out of the tent provide them with chances to improve balance and coordination. They also practice fine motor skills by tying back the door flaps, or opening and closing the window shades.

The play opportunities inside the tent are numerous too. The lack of distractions in a play teepee encourages kids to build their block towers a little higher, to color their pictures a little more thoroughly and to set up more elaborate tea parties.

Not sure what to do on a playdate? Siblings going through a rough patch of arguing? One thing that always helps kids to get along and play cooperatively is a secret hideout.

Watch as your children and their friends make up, negotiate and agree upon rules for the tent. Watch as they work together to make the games they're playing inside better and more fun. It's amazing what a change of setting, and a bit of perceived privacy will do.

Keeping the little ones occupied is a full-time job. Coming up with structured activities to complete from wake-up until bed-time would exhaust even the most energetic parent. Wouldn't it be great if they could just occupy themselves for a little while?

One of the most crucial aspects of child development is teaching kids that they don't need their parents to do the playing for them.

A play teepee offers a bit of safe separation which encourages kids to explore and play on their own. Kids learn independence, and parents get a bit of much-needed time to catch their breath.