Skip to main content

Have you ever had an imaginary friend? Watch this

194,327 Views

553 Questions Answered

Play@TED Learning Lab

Let’s Begin…

Amia and her friend Zelba have been inseparable for nearly a year. They share secrets, play games, and rule over imaginary kingdoms. Amia sometimes has bad ideas, and Zelba goes along with them anyway. Amia is very real, but Zelba... is not. So, what leads kids to create these fictional figures? Explore why children invent imaginary companions and what skills they can develop through pretend play.

Watch the video and finish the Think section to complete the lesson.


About Play@TED Learning Lab

Play@TED Learning Lab explores how play can change how we think, learn, and imagine what’s possible. When we strengthen access to play and create the conditions for children to thrive, we unlock brighter minds, braver ideas, and a more imaginative future for everyone. Explore curated talks and lessons that highlight the transformative impact of play.

Meet The Creators

Video created by
TED-Ed
Lesson Plan created by
TED Ed

More from Play@TED Learning Lab