Why explore reality and imagination with children?
Children move easily between play and reality, and they ask surprising questions about dreams, stories and what is really there. These are central questions in metaphysics and the theory of knowledge.
The activities move from sorting real and pretend things and Zhuangzi’s butterfly dream to fictional characters, Plato’s cave and the question of whether we could be living in a simulation.
Free activities to download
Ready-to-run EduTrend Contents philosophy enquiry workshops for primary, middle and high school. Each free download includes a step-by-step session plan, facilitator notes, three student worksheets and an assessment checklist. Full 20-week programmes are available in EduStore.
Real or Pretend?
Primary · Ages 5–7
Foundation · 30 min
Young children sort objects and pictures into real and pretend and enquire into what makes something real.
The Butterfly Dream
Primary · Ages 8–11
Developing · 45 min
Pupils hear Zhuangzi’s butterfly dream and enquire into the difference between dreams and waking life.
Is Sherlock Holmes Real?
Middle School · Ages 11–13
Intermediate · 50 min
Students explore whether fictional characters exist and enquire into different kinds of reality.
The Cave
Middle School · Ages 12–14
Intermediate · 50 min
Students explore Plato’s allegory of the cave and enquire into whether we could be mistaken about reality.
Could It All Be a Simulation?
High School · Ages 15–18
Advanced · 60 min
Students examine sceptical scenarios from Descartes to brains in vats and enquire into whether we can know the external world.
Liked the free activities? Go further with a 20-week programme.
Each free activity comes from a full EduTrend Contents programme: a Family Guide or Teacher's Guide with one-page session plans for 20 weeks, plus an Assessment Toolkit with rubrics, trackers and certificates. Choose the one for your child's age or your class below. Instant PDF download after checkout.
P4C-431 · 20 WEEKS · $29
Real or Pretend? at Home
Family · Ages 5–11 with a grown-up
Exploring real and pretend together at home.
P4C-432 · 20 WEEKS · $39
Reality and Imagination Enquiries
Primary · Ages 5–11
Class enquiries on dreams, stories and reality.
P4C-433 · 20 WEEKS · $39
Reality Philosophy Lab
Middle school · Ages 11–14
Fiction, Plato’s cave and scepticism.
P4C-434 · 20 WEEKS · $45
Reality Enquiry Leaders
High school · Ages 14–18
Lead reality enquiries for younger children.
Photos: Leo Rivas, Annie Spratt, Janko Ferlič, Aaron Burden, Susie Ho / Unsplash
Reality and Imagination
Explore reality and imagination with five free printable philosophy activities, from sorting real and pretend and the butterfly dream to Sherlock Holmes, Plato’s cave and simulation scepticism. For longer learning, choose a 20-week programme for families, primary, middle or high school.
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Reality and Imagination
