To know is nothing at all; to imagine is everything.
Anatole France Thibault
Prop boxes (plastic storage bins) are a wonderful way to organize your dress-ups and dramatic play center. If you are home daycare, a large center or parent, I think it's the easiest way to keep your hats, props and dress-ups organized if you have some storage room.
Here are some of our dramatic play centers-housekeeping, fire station, the beach, space ship, dinosaur dig, pizza parlor, pet shop and veterinarian, school and Santa's workshop. We also love to act out stories like The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Mitten and The Three Little Pigs. Check our blog posts under Dramatic Play for photos and specifics.
More ideas-
BAKERY-bowls, measuring cups and spoons, cookie sheets, cookie cutters, rolling pins, wooden spoons, spatulas, clean empty food containers (cake boxes, etc), recipe cards and cookbooks
BABY DOLL BATH TIME-this is a great summer activity. Take all the baby dolls out for a bath. Have soapy water, towels, and clean baby clothes.
BIRTHDAY PARTY-party hats, plates, cups, napkins, plastic cutlery, presents and a birthday cake. Check out Melissa and Doug for cute cakes for play.
GROCERY STORE-empty food boxes and containers, bags, play money, clipboards and paper, grocery ads, grocery cart
OFFICE-keyboard, telephone, paper, pencils, office supplies
SAFARI-pith helmets, brown/khaki shirts, small animals (Beanie Babies or plastic figurines), maps, clipboards w/paper and pencils, shovels, sunglasses, binoculars
WE'VE GOT TALENT SHOW-fun dress-up, musical insturments
We use large cardboard boxes for many items in our dramatic play. Boxes are free and store flat. The work to create the prop is totally worth it. Most of our boxes we have had for years. Santa's sleigh had a little accident this year but overall the boxes hold up to the day to day play of our classroom.
We have a play kitchen table and chairs. We also have computer key boards, old cell phones and cameras. These items are included in almost every dramatic play. Don't forget books, paper and pencils.
Dress up clothes from toy stores can be expensive. I prefer to look at thrift shops and yard sales for children's clothes that are few sizes bigger than our preschoolers. Don't forget purses, small suitcases and costume jewelry (the uglier and more gaudy the jewelry is the better the kids like it)
Take your dramatic play outside. We have a large deck box outside and will be getting a second to add more props for outdoor play. Take your play kitchen outside to the yard or deck. Most play kitchens are plastic and if you are concerned about the weather cover w/a tarp.
Have fun playing dress-up with your child!
