Encouraging imaginative play in a literal child?

[BrownCowStunning]

I noticed recently that my DS is incredibly literal in his play. He does use his imagination when playing with his toys, whether alone or with his dad or myself, he can create scenarios and play them out with his toys. He plays with a lot of different toys, a lot of characters (Disney Cars, Blaze, Paw Patrol) but his favourite is his dinosaurs.

It was while we were playing with the dinosaurs that I really took notice of how literal DS is. I rolled a ball and told him it was a big boulder from a volcano, but je just said "No, it's a ball" and kept insisting it was a ball until I agreed. The same with going up the stairs, I told him we were climbing a big mountain, but again he told me "No, this is just the stairs". I pretended to be a robot earlier and he almost cried, he was really upset.

DS is 3, and we just had a review from the playgroup he attends that he's doing well - playing with other children as well as alone. But I'm starting to worry about him being so literal and logical in case he starts to get left out.

Is there anything I can do to encourage imaginative play? Any toys that would help? (I was thinking of tea sets, role playing toys etc)

Or is this normal behaviour for a 3 yr old?

Any suggestions or advice are welcomed!

Being literal isn't going to hold him back in the long term and if he does find it hard to play with his peers then I think it's better to encourage self sufficiency than trying to make him conform in his play if it causes upset.

What about crafting instead
For example making a robot using milk bottle tops as buttons pipe cleaner antenna etc
Maybe this will spark his imagination and then transfer over to his play
Or google the Mellisa and Doug reusable sticker pads and encourage him to put the stickers in unexpected places.
I am sure he won't be left out though
Is there any tv programs that make him laugh? That might help with working out what things he finds silly so you can incorporate that into your play

Love the user name btw

One thing to bear in mind is that 3 years old frequently tell adults that they are playing wrong. I was forever being told I was using the wrong voice, that we weren't knights we whatever I suggested or yes, the brick that I said was an ice cream was just a brick. At that age my DC very much wanted to control the imaginary side.

Not saying that this is happening here but it's fairly common.