At some point in early childhood, imagination kicks in and it’s wonderful.

Couch cushion forts, bed sheet tents, large appliance boxes are all tried and true methods to create imaginary places for occupying young whippersnappers.

But here are a few other ideas to expand creative play that definitely work with 3-year-olds and, under the right circumstances, even work with middle or high school students:

• Keep some hot lava in your pocket, pull it out and spread it on the ground to whatever size is necessary. When doing so, use a voice filled with extreme urgency noting that something or someone needs to be rescued. Lava-proof shoes are issued upon reaching adulthood. Age has its privileges.
  
  
• Be aware of laser-traps when walking out and about. They are often placed below waist height, occasionally at knee level. These things are powerful enough to slice a person in half and can be found between random trees along trails and sidewalks, or sometimes in buildings. Be sure to duck or roll beneath the dangerous light beam. Some models do employ pulsating bursts, which can be seen by us adults, who have had laser-trap avoidance training, most likely in our driver’s education class.
  
  
• If your helicopter is still in the shop, like ours continually is, you might consider driving your intergalactic transport vehicle on both short errands and extended journeys. As the captain, you’ll have to remind your crew and passengers to fasten their inertial safety restraining devices prior to engaging the warp core hyperdrive. Be sure to pull off the side of the interstellar transportation lane when receiving incoming transmissions on your personal communications device.

Stefan Szumko was a camp counselor in a former life and spends his days with his own critters, ages 3 and 8. He can be reached at slugwhisperer@gmail.com.