Ideas for Creativity in Dramatic Play

Changing themes in your dramatic play center doesn't mean you have a major job on your hands. You can simply add the new-theme toys to the ones already there. Or just move the other toys back and cover them with a sheet.

Most objects can be stored in a bin so that you will be ready to change your center theme. Let's say you do an "apple orchard" for September, a "fire station" for October, and a "gift wrap shop" for December, and so on.

Car Wash
Use cardboard boxes with the bottom cut out and three of the top flaps cut off. Popsicle sticks can hold up the front flap as a windshield. Cut holes in the side for handles so the children can hold their car up as they "drive-thru". Let the children paint the cars a few days before you open the car wash. Hang streamers (the plastic ones work best) from the ceiling, supply your car wash with buckets, sponges, towels, spray bottles (empty), squeegees, and even a cash register with play money if you'd like. You can reuse your cars to visit the "Drive-In Theater" if you set up a puppet show or play. They can easily be broken down for easy storage.

If you have ride-in cars in your play area outside, you can use them instead of the cardboard boxes. These riding toys and other smaller vehicles can be used in an outside car wash, with real water. There is no reason to keep dramatic play indoors.

Out West
Use a large cardboard box and turn it into a covered wagon using flexible tent tubes (or cut hula hoops), a large white sheet. Put two rocking horses (or you can use saw horses with stick horse heads) in front of the covered wagon and away they go! Add bails of hay, hats, cowboy boots, bandanna's and pretend camp fire with wood scraps and orange and red tissue paper. Let kids cut vests out of paper bags and add a star for the new "sheriff" in town. Put sand and water in the water table along with "gold" nuggets and tin pie plates to "pan" for gold. Great fun!

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Creativity in Dramatic Play - 3 hours