70 Ideas For Dramatic Play

Early childhood educators continue to advocate for dramatic play in their classrooms. And for good reason. Dramatic play is integral to any preschooler’s education. Here are 70 dramatic play ideas to provide more experiences for your child.

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You’ve seen the preschool classroom. The one where your child begs to stay and play. She doesn’t want to leave. She is drawn to the dramatic play area. This month the kitchen is set up like a bakery. She and her friends take orders, bake cookies, decorate them, and bag them up for customers before using a play cash register to ring up the total.

And with all that play, guess what else is happening?!

That’s right. Some really serious playful learning.

Yup, your child is drawn to this pretend play in an irresistible way, as she should be, because not only is the dramatic play area filled with inviting real-life props, but she gets to process with her friends what she is learning in her real life, all while inadvertently working on literacy, math, science and, of course, social skills.

This month the dramatic play area is a bakery, but last month it was a taco stand, and next month it might be a veterinary clinic.

Read  The Benefits of Dramatic Play in Early Childhood Development for more information about why a great dramatic play area is so important for preschool learning.

Ideas for Creating an Awsome Dramatic Play Area

The most obvious way to create pretend and dramatic play opportunities in the home are to provide your child with toys with that purpose in mind. A great area does not have to be over-the-top complex or sophisticated. It can be small and basic and still have the same effect on the children’s learning. The key is to design the area with a clear purpose of intent for learning.

The following are some toys to consider including:

Dramatic Play Idea – Kitchen

• stove, oven, sink and refrigerator (of any combination)
• pots and pans
• plates, cups and utensils
• play fruits and vegetables
• play canned and boxed food
• table and chairs
• napkins and tablecloths
• vase and flowers

Dramatic Play Idea – Nursery

• dolls
• cradle
• blankets
• doll clothing
• bottles
• high chair
• toy baby carrier
• doll stroller
• toy bathing tub with washcloths
• board books
• lullaby music

Dramatic Play Idea – House

• iron and ironing board
• vacuum
• lawn mower
• mirrors
• empty spray bottles for play cleaning
• broom
• clock
• toy computer or laptop
• newspaper
• dishes
• writing supplies
• mailbox
• picnic basket and accessories

Other Ideas for Dramatic Play Areas

While the above are the most common ways to create dramatic play spaces in your home, children also love to play in other pretend environments, such as the following:

Dramatic Play Idea – School

• • • white board or chalk board
    • ABC cards
    • number cards
    • books
    • writing supplies
    • learning manipulatives
    • dolls to serve a students

Dramatic Play Idea – Restaurant

• • • tables and chairs
    • dishes
    • play food
    • table clothes
    • vase and flowers
    • menus
    • writing supplies (for taking food orders)
    • cash register
    • play money

Dramatic Play Idea – Hospital or Veterinary Clinic

• • • lab coat
    • rubber gloves
    • stethoscope
    • play bandages or fabric strips
    • washcloths
    • dolls or stuffed animals to be patients
    • weight scales
    • boxes and sticky labels for kennels

Don’t Have the Space? No Problem!

Of course, dramatic play can also take place with even fewer supplies. Some toys can be enjoyed through dramatic play without a big set up. Consider the following list of toys:

• • • • masks
      • capes
      • Halloween costumes
      • tea set
      • dolls
      • stuffed animals
      • hats
      • badges
      • belts
      • butterfly or fairy wings
      • play jewelry
      • writing supplies
      • books

There’s a Reason He Wants to Stay

Dramatic play isn’t just for little girls. While play kitchens and common dress-up props are mostly pink and purple, little boys love pretending to cook dinner, or vacuum just like they see their parents doing. But if you have a little boy who is all boy, here are some of my favorite boy-oriented dress-up props.