"I'll be the mom, and you be the baby."
Dramatic play allows children to let loose, and be anything they can imagine. But do your children always act out the same scenarios? Always cooking in the kitchen and feeding the baby dolls? You can help them express their creativity in other ways by providing a few simple materials. Prop boxes help children act out what they know and learn more about the world around them. Watch your dramatic play area turn from a basic kitchen to a body shop in no time!
Doctor's Office
Scrubs, face masks, stethoscope, thermometer, Popsicle sticks, cotton balls, ace bandages, band aids, ice pack, tissues, scale, syringes, gauze, white lab coat, phone, empty pill containers, crutches, flashlight, note pads, pens, old xrays
Florist
Fake flowers, Styrofoam blocks, vases, ribbon, watering cans, scissors, small cards, gloves, dirt, empty flower food containers
Post Office
Mailbox, (or make your own with a shoe box), paper, envelopes, stickers, tape, pens, pencils, markers, crayons, old Valentine's, mail person uniform (hat, shirt, etc.), messenger bag
Restaurant/ Fast Food
Menus, order pad, pencil, aprons, cups, straws, plates, napkins, carry out boxes, plastic silverware, tablecloth, bags, burger boxes, taco wrappers, empty ketchup and mustard bottles, salt and pepper shakers
Grocery Store
Cash register, play money, paper for grocery lists, pencils, bags or boxes for food, shopping cart, empty food containers
Beauty Salon
Chairs, aprons, empty containers (shampoo, soap, shaving cream, make up, perfume, nail polish, water sprayer, etc.), plastic combs that can be soaked in bleach water, make up brushes, powder puff
Astronaut
Space ship (from a cardboard box), glow in the dark stars, books about space, flashlight, inflatable alien, packing peanuts (space rocks), moon shoes
Photography Studio
Cameras (old, working or not working, etc.), pictures, chair, tripod, sheets for backdrops, lamp, paper (sign in sheets, order forms, etc.), pens, old film strips, big frames
Laundromat
Assortment of clothes, laundry baskets, empty laundry soap bottles, coins, boxes to make a washer and dryer, timer, paper (for receipts, etc.)
Window Washer
Wash rags, squeegees, empty Windex bottles, water sprayers, buckets, overalls, hat, Plexiglas window panes, picture frames (for small windows)
Birthday Party
Party hats, streamers, balloons, party favors, pin the tail on the donkey, cupcake and cake pans, empty cake mix box, empty frosting container, mixing bowl, spatula, measuring cups, pinata, cups, plates, napkins
Cleaning Service
Mop, broom, dust pan, bucket, empty cleaning bottles, unused toilet brush, sponges, rags, carry basket (to put everything in), feather duster, apron
News/ Weather Reporter
Dresses, tuxedos, writing pads, pencils, desk, microphones, weather charts, pointers, pictures of different kinds of weather, magazines, newspapers
Bear Cave
Tent, sheet paper (to draw cave symbols on), back pack, magnifying glass, paper bear tracks, books (about hiking, bears and outdoor safety)
Cider Mill
Hat Shop
Dentist
Music Store
Science Lab
Jewelry Store
Cowboys and Indians
Pizza Parlor
Picnic
Magician
Dance Floor
Fishing
Castle
Beach
Librarian
Eye Doctor
Trick or Treat
Veterinarian
Woodworking
Garage/ Car Shop
Wedding
Travel Agency
Shoe Department
Painters
Movie Theater
Ice Cream Parlor
Fire Station
Police Officers
Bakery
Farmer's Market
New Baby
Baby dolls, receiving blankets, baby clothes, bottles, pacifiers, rattles and other baby toys, diapers, burp cloths, hats, bibs, diaper bags, infant towels, cradle, high chair booster seat, stroller, booties
Car Wash
Child sized cars, toy cars, real cars, tires, buckets, sponges, rags, hoses, squirt bottles, towels, price sign, car wash signs, goggles, swimsuits
Camping
Bank
Candy Shop
Clear jars or plastic containers, pompom balls, confetti, (or other small things to be candy), scales, candy bags, spoons, paper (for orders, etc.), empty sealed candy wrappers, cash register