CC BY 4.0Caughey, JaneMcLean, KarenEdwards, Susan2025-10-172025-10-1720232023-09-041741-888710.1177/20427530231156183https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14802/14966This research investigates how children located in separate homes use the psychological function of imagination to engage in sociodramatic play using networked digital technologies. Specifically, it examines how 7- to 8-year-old children create imaginary play situations in the same Minecraft: Education Edition digitally-mediated environment whilst synchronously using the FaceTime video-communication tool to discuss their play. Drawing on cultural-historical conceptualizations of play, findings identified in this study describe how children reworked and combined elements of reality via imagination to enable online sociodramatic play. This study provides theoretical insight into how adults may best foster children’s imagination in digitally-mediated environments to support online sociodramatic play, of especial benefit to children during periods of lockdown associated with the global pandemic.imaginationdigital playchildrenMinecraftFaceTimeJournal article2-s2.0-85148371180Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open accessOpenPUB0201094999