Imaginary Friends in 2025: Why Kids Have Them and How They Benefit Childhood Development

Imaginary friends, often known as imaginary companions, are a common and healthy aspect of childhood play that help kids navigate their social and emotional worlds.

Decades of research confirm that creating an imaginary friend is a natural behavior for many children and can support their development in meaningful ways.

Studies reveal that up to 65% of children under age 7 have an imaginary friend, highlighting how widespread this phenomenon is.

What Does Having an Imaginary Friend Mean for Your Child?

Children often invent imaginary friends as playmates they can interact with, confide in, and learn from. These companions might be invisible, animals, fantastical creatures, or even toys.

Far from being a cause for concern, imaginary friends are linked to positive developmental outcomes such as:

• Enhanced social understanding and empathy
• Greater sociability and communication skills
• Heightened creativity and imagination
• Improved coping mechanisms for dealing with emotions
• Deeper emotional intelligence and self-awareness

Imaginary companions often provide children with friendship, comfort, and a safe space to explore feelings and ideas.

Five Key Reasons Kids Create Imaginary Friends

According to 2017 research, children develop imaginary friends for several important reasons:

1. To solve problems and manage emotions
2. To explore ideals and values
3. To engage in fantasy play with a companion
4. To combat feelings of loneliness
5. To experiment with social roles and behaviors

Is It Normal for Kids to Have Imaginary Friends?

Absolutely. Having an imaginary friend is a typical part of childhood, and children with imaginary companions share similar personality traits, family dynamics, and social experiences as those without.

While earlier theories mistakenly linked imaginary friends to mental health issues, current research shows these companions are usually a sign of healthy development.

Imaginary friends are common not only among preschoolers but also in older children, with nearly 28% of kids aged 5 to 12 reporting them. Girls tend to have imaginary friends more often than boys.

Imaginative play through these companions helps children build social skills and creativity.

How Should Parents Respond to Imaginary Friends?

Engage with your child about their imaginary friend by asking questions to understand what role the friend plays in their life. You might discover that the friend helps them navigate friendships or emotions.

Participating in your child's imaginative play—like setting an extra dinner place or including the imaginary friend in outings—can strengthen your bond and support their creativity.

If the imaginary friend’s behavior becomes disruptive, setting gentle boundaries is important and can be a valuable teaching moment.

What If the Imaginary Friend Is Scary or Aggressive?

While many imaginary friends are friendly, some children describe theirs as disruptive or frightening. Even challenging imaginary companions can help kids process difficult emotions and social situations.

Understanding that these relationships serve a purpose can help parents support their children through complex feelings.

When Do Children Typically Outgrow Imaginary Friends?

Most children recognize their imaginary friends aren’t real and eventually outgrow them at their own pace. Imaginary friends are most common in children under 7 but can persist up to age 12.

If an older child still talks about an imaginary friend, it’s usually not a cause for concern unless accompanied by troubling behaviors.

If you notice worrying changes in your child’s behavior, consulting a pediatric mental health professional can provide guidance.

Are Imaginary Friends Linked to Schizophrenia or Other Disorders?

Imaginary friends are distinct from hallucinations or psychosis, which are symptoms of conditions like schizophrenia that generally appear in late adolescence or adulthood.

Childhood-onset schizophrenia is rare and characterized by symptoms such as paranoia, mood changes, hallucinations, and sudden behavioral shifts.

If your child exhibits severe behavioral changes or symptoms beyond having an imaginary friend, seek professional evaluation.

Some studies suggest links between imaginary friends and dissociative disorders or developmental conditions like Down syndrome, but these are exceptions rather than the rule.

Do Adults Have Imaginary Friends?

Research on imaginary friends in adults is limited, but a small percentage of adults report having them. This may reflect coping mechanisms or creativity rather than mental health issues.

However, adults experiencing hallucinations or psychosis should seek medical advice.

When to Consult a Doctor

Imaginary friends are usually harmless, but consult your child’s doctor if you notice drastic mood or behavior changes, or if the imaginary friend becomes frightening or aggressive.

Professional support from psychiatrists, psychologists, or counselors can provide reassurance and assistance.

Summary

Imaginary friends are a normal, healthy, and often beneficial part of childhood. They support emotional growth, social skills, and creativity.

Parents should embrace their child’s imaginary companions while monitoring for any concerning signs, knowing that most children naturally outgrow this phase.

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