castle

Castle Theme Pretend Play

August 26, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Pretend play is one of children’s most-loved activities, and loose parts are my favorite things to include. This castle theme pretend play setup includes many sparkling loose parts, perfect for little princes and princesses to dramatize with.

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Castle Pretend Play Supplies

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The following supplies are in this castle-themed dramatic play invitation:

clear plates, jars, and trays
play forks and spoons
star-shaped dessert cups
clear silver-edged goblets
silver serving bowl
gold tongs and silver serving spoons
muffin tin and cookie pan
large and small jingle bells
gold buttons
silver bead balls
metallic bead necklace strips
sparkly pompoms
transparent jewelry connectors
cube-shaped reusable ice cubes
transparent acrylic pebbles
transparent dive gems
metallic tinsel spray centerpiece
light pink tablecloth

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Castle Theme Pretend Play Set Up

When introducing new supplies in a dramatic center, I often arrange them in a tablescape design in the play kitchen. Children then pick up, rearrange, and dramatize with the supplies as they wish.

As you might expect, there are a lot of metallic, jewel-toned, and silver and gold supplies in this royal pretend play setup.

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In the center of the tablescape is a fancy metallic tinsel spray centerpiece. This showy centerpiece also shines in my Space Restaurant Dramatic Play and Outer Space Pretend Play blog posts.

Jewel-toned dive gems, set on a cookie pan, are repurposed as cookies or other things children imagine.

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Metallic bead necklace strips make decadent spaghetti noodles, and small gold jingle bells are tasty pretend meatballs.

Large silver jingle bells placed in a muffin tin make marvelous muffins.

Gold buttons, silver balls cut from bead garland, shiny pompoms, transparent jewelry connectors, light pink transparent acrylic pebbles, and jewel-toned reusable ice cubes are additional loose parts to imagine with.

Supplies are displayed in silver bowls or clear bowls and jars.

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Plates and silver-edged goblets are also clear, allowing the loose parts to take center stage.

Star-shaped dessert cups add additional glitz.

A light pink tablecloth provides a soft background for the treasure-laden supplies.

All set up, little princes and princesses will be eager to engage in this castle theme pretend play center.

Note: This is the third of three blog posts about castle-themed activities. Some of the loose parts in this post are also in my Castle Theme Light Table post and/or my Castle Theme Playdough Tray post. Loose parts are super versatile!

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More Pretend Play Centers

Fall Tablescape Pretend Play

Pumpkin Tablescape Pretend Play

Thanksgiving Tablescape Pretend Play

Kid’s Winter Wonderland Tablescape

Gingerbread Theme Pretend Play

Penguin Pretend Play Tablescape

Chinese New Year Tablescape

Valentine’s Day Pretend Play

St. Patrick’s Day Pretend Play

Spring Bunny Play Tablescape

Lemon-Inspired Play Kitchen

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[Read more…]

Castle Theme Light Table Activity

August 25, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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A light table is one of my favorite classroom centers, as it adds a glowing ambience to the room. It’s a goal of mine to add one or more light table activities to every theme. A set of bubble bottles inspired a castle theme light table activity.

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Castle Light Table Supplies

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The following supplies are in this royal-themed light table set up:

castle-themed bubble bottles
metallic pompoms
metallic bead necklace strips
gold jingle bells
cube-shaped reusable ice cubes
interlocking necklace connectors
acrylic crystal ice rocks
ombre erasers
clear egg tray
clear bowls, trays, plates, and serving scoops

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

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The Castle Theme Light Table Activity

A variety of interesting loose parts that complement the castle theme are featured in this light table play invitation.

A jewel-toned set of empty transparent bubble containers is the highlight. I was excited to spot the bubble containers while on a routine shopping trip one afternoon.

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Transparent castle-themed jewelry connectors in crown, flower, heart, and high-heeled shoe shapes add princessy fun.

Cube-shaped reusable ice cubes, ombre erasers, and acrylic crystal ice rocks are additional transparent loose parts to explore.

Although not transparent, metallic pompoms and bead necklace strips add glam, as do the gold jingle bells.

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Setting the supplies in clear bowls and on clear trays displays them attractively.

Sorting supplies in the clear egg tray and on clear plates allows them to shine.

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More Castle Theme Light Table Supplies

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A small cooking pot and stove elements drawn on an overhead transparency offer pretend cooking possibilities for interested children. So fun!

What would you add to this castle theme light table activity?

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More Light Table Activities

Light Table Leaf Exploration

Space Theme Light Table

Christmas Small World on the Light Table

Valentine’s Day Light Table Play

St. Patrick’s Day Light Table

Easter Bunny Light Table Activity

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[Read more…]

Castle Theme Playdough Tray

August 24, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

When planning a new theme, including a playdough tray is always a huge win. With its jewel-tone and glistening loose parts, this castle theme playdough tray is sure to attract eager participants in a flurry.

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Playdough activities are a favorite of preschoolers and children in early elementary grades. They encourage open-ended play and the chance to be creative in endless ways. Adding loose parts maximizes the learning potential, and there are plenty of them on the castle-themed tray.

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Feature Playdough Supplies

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The following castle-themed supplies are included in this eye-catching playdough tray:

playdough in turquoise, pink, and purple hues
large buttons
transparent pebbles
transparent jewelry connectors
castle-themed table confetti
metallic bead necklace strips
gold jingle bells
crown-themed rubber stamps
heart bracelets
star wand party favors
compartment serving tray

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

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The Castle Theme Playdough Tray

The featured dough in this sensory tray play invitation is store-bought playdough in pink, purple, and turquoise colors. The vibrant playdough hues work well in this quick setup.

Transparent jewelry connectors in crown, heart, flower, and high-heeled shoe shapes, castle-themed table confetti, and crown rubber stamps are prized loose parts for the royal theme.

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Large gold, pink, and purple buttons, transparent light pink acrylic pebbles, gold jingle bells, and metallic bead necklace strips make sparkly treasures.

Star wand party favors and heart-shaped bracelets round out the supplies in the tray.

All supplies are presented on a white six-compartment serving tray, making it easy for children to choose loose parts for their playdough creations.

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Variation of the Castle Theme Playdough Tray

The above playdough tray uses store-bought playdough, which is a great alternative when preparation time is short. This next playdough tray houses the same accessories along with my favorite basic homemade playdough recipe.

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A few drops of neon pink or purple food coloring added to the dough recipe create a soft, pretty hue that coordinates well with the castle-themed loose parts. Pink and gold glitter sprinkled on the dough adds even more glam.

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Additional Castle Theme Playdough Supplies

Castle-themed cookie cutters would be a great addition to this glitzy playdough tray, along with rolling pins and disposable knives. What other supplies would you add?

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