Kiddos love to do the things we do. If you're someone who wears makeup, your kids probably love to pretend to dress up, too. As they age and grow into their own, a vanity becomes a piece of their independence, a place of self-expression and confidence. Makeup, dress-up, pretty trinkets, and hair-dos – these are all components of who we are at any given point in time. If you're trying to encourage a child's sense of self, a vanity can be a wonderful pretend toy to introduce them to. Additionally, if your preteen or teen is beginning to explore self-expression through makeup, a real vanity can be a wonderful addition to their bedroom. Regardless of whether it's a play vanity or a real one, understanding that your child needs to express who they are – and listening to that need – is a powerful parenting move that lets your kiddo know that you see them. Self-acceptance is something we can teach through example and play, and it's not as hard as you think it might be. Toys such as these darling vanities, below, can help. WolVolk 2-in-1 Vanity Set Music and Make-upThis pretend play set features a hidden piano that plays music, as well as fun play pieces for a beauty salon or vanity. Best OverallFind on Amazon This fun, play-prop vanity set is ideal for a child who loves to play dress-up, salon, or maybe even put on a make-believe piano concert. Yes, you read that correctly: a piano concert. You see, hidden in the tabletop is a piano. Featuring two different modes, your little one can indulge in their musical side when they’re done playing dress-up. If you already have a dress-up bin, this really is the perfect addition. As this set comes with toy jewelry, toy cosmetics, and fun toy hair accessories, your mini-me will have a blast playing dress-up. Pros: The ideal height, at a little less than 30 inches. The stool height is 6 inches, making this an ideal set for toddlers and preschoolers. Comes with battery-operated beauty tools, such as a working hairdryer. With the press of a button, a princess appears as a reflection in the mirror. Cons: Although the stool is great for small toddlers, that’s about it. At six inches high, it sits rather low. Minnie’s Happy Helpers Bowdazzling Vanity A Minnie Little VanityThe perfect play vanity for your little Minnie Mouse, complete with a light-up bow and play cosmetics. Runner UpFind on Amazon Who doesn’t love Minnie? Her sweet little voice and enormous bow have stolen the hearts of little boys and girls since she was first introduced to the public. So it’s no wonder that this Minnie Mouse vanity is such a hit. With multiple play pieces, your Minnie-loving little one can play to their heart’s content. With a stool, play make-up products, a play perfume bottle, and more, this is the ideal vanity set for someone who can’t get enough of Minnie. Pros: Comes with a darling picture of Minnie and friends and a built-in picture frame. The bow on Minnie lights up above the mirror, acting as vanity lights. Ideal for toddlers through preschool age. Cons: There isn’t a storage drawer. This is a bummer since the included items don’t have a place to be stored in. Disney Frozen 2 Elsa’s Enchanted Ice Vanity Don't Let This One GoOkay, all puns aside, don't let this one pass you by if you have a Frozen-obsessed child. Inspired by Frozen, this castle vanity is a favorite.Best Frozen VanityFind on Amazon I’ve never actually seen Frozen, but I think I could sing every song word-for-word. I used to be a teacher, and my students were obsessed with it. Obsessed. It wasn’t just the year it came out, either. It was year after year after year. Everyone loves Frozen. Sound familiar? If your little one can’t get enough of Elsa, this vanity is going to be a hit. With every little detail inspired by the movie, it’s a dream come true. From the icy panels that open to reveal Arendelle’s castle in the mirror, to the fine details of ice diamonds and Frozen songs, this vanity is a must-have for Frozen-obsessed tykes. Pros: One of the Frozen-inspired comments I heard the most? Wanting hair like Elsa. This vanity comes with tons of little hairpieces that are perfect for fun hairstyles. The design on this vanity is really pretty – even the legs look like ice sculptures. Ideal for a preschool-aged child. Cons: Not the most sturdy vanity. Prextex Pretend Play Kids Vanity Table Bright and BeautifulDoes your little one love playing salon or beauty school? This vanity is the ideal toy vanity for hours of dress-up play. Best for PlayFind on Amazon Okay, if your beauty queen or king is obsessed with pink, makeup, jewelry, and dressing up, this is one that’ll steal their heart. For real. It’s almost gaudy in its design – but in the best possible way. In a super bright, hot pink color, this vanity has a mirror with shutters, a tray table for holding accessories, and a drawer that fits all of the included pieces. Heck, even the blow dryer works. It’s a snazzy little set that’ll delight your imaginative little one. Pros: Includes a full line of accessories. Has both sound and light effects. The hairdryer actually works, which is a huge bonus for salon-loving kiddos. Cons: This vanity is on the small side, so it’s really only appropriate for a 2 or 3 year-old. That said, there are smaller parts, so be cautious with younger ones. Roundhill Furniture Wood Makeup Vanity Table and Stool Set The Real DealThis vanity, although fine for pretend play, is ideal for a growing preteen or teen. Best for Big KidsFind on Amazon Is your little one not so little anymore? Growing up and out of a play vanity and into a more real, functioning child’s vanity doesn’t have to mean you say goodbye to sweet and playful. This wooden vanity is both, and yet also fully functional as a real vanity. With a mirror that swivels and adjusts and 3 storage drawers perfect for makeup, jewelry, or special little trinkets, this vanity is perfect for a preteen or teenager. It comes with a matching wooden stool that’s padded for comfort, too. Pros: Multiple colors to choose from. Perfect for any size bedroom – even smaller ones. The padded bench is upholstered in a fun, accented pattern that looks stylish with the vanity. Lightweight, delicate design that’s still sturdy. Cons: The vanity does not come with lights. Frequently Asked Questions What is the purpose of a vanity? Traditionally, a vanity has been a piece of furniture that holds someone’s makeup, jewelry, hair supplies, and the like. Sometimes equipped with special lights and mirrors, traditional vanities have drawers on either side of the vanity stool. The vanity stool or chair sits low enough that it can fit perfectly in the dip that’s often present in the front of the vanity…enough so that it’s possible to be close to the mirror. Made as a place to store all of your must-have beauty items, a vanity is a special piece of furniture that’ll help you prepare for the day ahead of you. What should you look for in a kid’s vanity? While all of the points above are true for an adult’s vanity, the same could be said for a kid’s vanity as well. However, in the case of a pretend play prop, a vanity is more for developing imagination and a budding sense of self-expression and self-acceptance. Because the role of a vanity can change so much from a young age through teenage-hood, what you should look for in a vanity can greatly change. If you’re looking for a pretend play prop, go for a fun vanity that’s got mini drawers, some fun makeup and dress-up props, and whatever else you’d love to include for dress-up or pretend play. This type of vanity is more for developing imaginative skills. If you’re looking for a real vanity for your growing child, you should look for one that has the same components as a vanity you might find for yourself. However, it might be nice to get one that’s a bit more simple than the average grown-up vanity. This could mean a simple table, a few drawers on each side, and a nice mirror. The one on this list is a great example of what a preteen or teenager might love in a vanity.