Imaginary friends are part of normal childhood development, but clinicians should assess rigidity, distress, or functional impairment to separate healthy play from underlying concern issues.

An earlier version of this story appeared in Kids Today, Vox’s newsletter about kids, for everyone. Sign up here for future editions. A Vox reader asks, “Why do children often have imaginary friends?” ...

In Stranger Things season 5, Holly Wheeler's imaginary friend causes concern. (Netflix) After nearly a decade, Netflix hit Stranger Things is drawing to an end with season five – and Mike and Nancy's ...

Sometimes when I reach for a bag of frozen mixed vegetables, I’ll find a hamster in our freezer. My daughter put the disintegrating stuffed toy in a Caboodle, a clear plastic case meant for organizing ...

While on vacation my daughter started talking about an imaginary friend. The name she chose shocked me.Courtesy of Alexandra Meyer. I was enjoying a family vacation when my daughter started playing ...

This poignant animated film casts the world of imaginary friends as an arena to reckon with emotional turmoil and loss of innocence. By Brandon Yu When you purchase a ticket for an independently ...