dramatic play

Chinese New Year DIY Decorating

January 21, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Stickers are an easy and economical way to dress up cups, plates, and serving bowls for themed pretend play. They also work well for crafting ornaments. When I spotted festive stickers on sale over my Christmas break, I knew they were perfect for Chinese New Year DIY decorating.

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Chinese New Year DIY Ball Ornaments

Make these sparkly Chinese New Year-themed ball ornaments using gold glitter and themed stickers.

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To make these sparkly decorations, you need:

clear unbreakable ball ornaments
gold glitter
Chinese New Year stickers
a funnel

After collecting the supplies, start off by adding gold glitter to clear fillable unbreakable ball ornaments. Use a funnel to insert the glitter. Add just enough to cover the bottom of each ornament and then put the tops back on. Shaking the balls afterward moves some of the glitter up the sides.

Then decorate each ornament with Chinese New Year sticker designs. Hang up the festive balls for display.

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Chinese New Year DIY Tableware

While out and about our city, I always admire clear patio tableware with design accents. An economical way to replicate them for little learners is by using themed stickers. Adding stickers is also an option if you cannot find tableware suitable for children’s play in the theme you are currently working on.

To do this, gather clear unbreakable plates, cups, and bowls and add sticker designs to them. How simple!

In addition to the ornament, below is a cup and a serving bowl with themed Chinese New Year stickers added on. Both were dollar store finds. The decorated tableware goes over well in a play kitchen or sensory tub.

Decorate clear unbreakable tableware and ornaments with Chinese New Year-themed stickers for a cultural vibe.

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These Chinese New Year DIY decorating ideas work in any theme you can find coordinating stickers for. I am looking forward to trying them in a sunflower or butterfly theme next.

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Related:

Chinese New Year Sensory Tub

Chinese New Year Tablescape Play

Chinese New Year Chickpea Bin

Chinese New Year Money Tree Activities

Dragon Necklace Craft

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Chinese New Year Sensory Tub

January 20, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Set up this Chinese New Year sensory bin for your little learners to explore. It's a fun way to learn about Chinese New Year traditions.

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This Chinese New Year sensory tub features a pretend play set up, bound to be a hit with your little learners. While playing in the oh-so-fun sensory invitation, children get a chance to learn about Chinese culture.

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Chinese New Year Sensory Tub Supplies

Super fun supplies for a Chinese Lunar New Year sensory tub invitation to play your early learners will love to investigate.

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Play kitchen accessories and loose parts are the theme of these economical and easy-to-gather supplies. Collected for the tub are:

large round gold placemat
gold coins, bead garland, and buttons
pink pompoms
orange counters
fish and orange play food
panda storage container
stuffed rabbit ornament
paper plates
clear bowl and cups
training chopsticks
ladle
gold tongs
artificial cherry blossom flowers

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The Chinese New Year Sensory Tub

A super inviting Chinese Lunar New Year sensory tub with a "Year Of The Rabbit" theme. A cultural sensory play opportunity your early learners will love.

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The sensory bin for this activity is a spiral saucer sled, and it works beautifully. It is big enough to hold supplies for three children to play in. An active world tray would also be a good fit.

The round gold placemat at the bottom of the bin offsets its bright red color.

Before setting in the clear bowl and cups, I added a few Chinese New Year stickers as an easy way to make them festive.

The orange counters and oranges represent orange fruits (especially mandarins), which are displayed and given as gifts during Chinese New Year. Mandarin oranges are symbolic of gold, as their name in Chinese sounds like it. They are believed to bring riches when given or received as gifts.

A pretty Lunar New Year sensory tub with a "Year Of The Rabbit" theme. A perfect way to introduce Chinese culture to early learners.

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The cut gold garland strips are “noodles.” Long, uncut noodles symbolize a long life to Chinese people.

The play food fish stands for togetherness and plentifulness.

The cherry blossoms in the bin represent the promise of Spring and the renewal of life.

The pink pompoms coordinate with the cherry blossom touches and are soft like bunny tails.

The gold coins are reminders that children are given money in envelopes during Chinese New Year.

Since this is the “Year Of The Rabbit,” there is a stuffed rabbit ornament in the bin.

A pretty Chinese New Year sensory tub with a "Year Of The Rabbit" theme. A perfect way to introduce Chinese culture to early learners.

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Chinese New Year, also called Lunar New Year, is a national holiday and the biggest festival of the year. Dinners with family are a big part of Chinese New Year celebrations. This dinner-themed sensory tub is the perfect way to introduce some of the cultural traditions to little learners.

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Set up this Lunar New Year sensory bin for your little learners to explore. It's a fun way to learn about Chinese New Year traditions.

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Thanksgiving Tablescape Pretend Play

November 23, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Here’s an easy Thanksgiving tablescape pretend play setup your little learners will love. It incorporates fall-colored loose parts with a few turkey and pilgrim-themed accessories.

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Supplies In The Thanksgiving Tablescape

Turkey-themed loose parts are the highlight of this Thanksgiving play tablescape setup.

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The following supplies make this Thanksgiving tablescape a fun place to play:

harvest disposable plates and plaque
clear plastic glasses, dessert plates, and jars
baking pan
orange, yellow, and green cutlery
gold flowers in a vase
green, yellow, red, and orange felt balls and wooden beads
turkey centerpieces
miniature artificial pumpkins
Thanksgiving cookie cutters
Pilgrim sticker “cookies”
turkey game pieces and wooden beads
“Be Thankful” tea towel
white tablecloth

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Thanksgiving Tablescape Pretend Play

Arrange supplies for this tablescape in a play kitchen on a shelf, or place them in the play stove, fridge, and cupboards. Your little learners will enjoy incorporating them into festive play.

Loose parts are always a highlight of pretend play setups. Green, yellow, orange, and red-themed felt balls and round wooden beads easily transfer from a fall play tablescape to this Thanksgiving one.

Loose parts are the highlight of this Thanksgiving-themed dramatic play tablescape.

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The turkey centerpieces were a delightful find at a party store and add color and style.

Pilgrim-themed stickers make great “cookies” when placed on a baking pan.

Turkey game pieces and wooden beads help make the play set up super special.

Themed cookie cutters are easy-to-find items that add flair.

Turkey-themed loose parts are the highlight of this Thanksgiving tablescape pretend play setup.

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Disposable plates befitting the Thanksgiving theme are included in the décor, as are artificial miniature pumpkins showcased in clear plastic glasses.

Early learners will enjoy role-playing Thanksgiving dinner events with this festive pretend play setup.

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A “Be Thankful” tea towel and harvest plaque are the finishing touches to this seasonal dramatic play center.

This Thanksgiving tablescape dramatic play setup incorporates loose parts in a big way. It's an easy center to include in harvest celebrations.

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Fall Tablescape Pretend Play

Pumpkin Play Tablescape

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Fall Tablescape Pretend Play

October 30, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Living in Alberta, Canada, it seems a little late to feature a fall activity post. The leaves have almost completely blown off the trees, by fierce winds that seem determined to knock every last one to the ground. But although fall has nearly left us, we are not ready to leave it behind. So here’s one last colorful autumn post…an inviting fall tablescape pretend play center.

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Supplies Collected

Pretend play is super fun and imaginative in this fall tablescape pretend play set up early learners are bound to love.

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Fall colors, leaves, and animals feature prominently in this list of gathered supplies:

leaf-themed paper plates
green, yellow, and orange forks and spoons
fall cupcake liners
orange ice cube tray
bowl with owl, leaf, acorn, and apple game pieces
jar with yellow, orange and red felt balls
container with leaf, acorn, pumpkin, and diamond gems
felt animal decorations
orange artificial flower sprig
artificial sunflower heads
large felt maple leaf
muffin pan
cookie sheet
potholder and spatula

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The Fall Tablescape Pretend Play Setup

The list of supplies seems long, but this play tablescape is quick and easy to set up. I started out by setting out the red maple leaf and vase with flowers. Next, I added the plates and cutlery. Then I added the rest of the supplies.

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Loose parts such as gems, felt balls, and game pieces allow children to use their imagination. Little learners love incorporating them in pretend play. For instance, wouldn’t the felt animal decorations make super fancy cookies?

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Seasonal loose parts add a host of imaginative possibilities to this easy-to-put-together fall tablescape pretend play setup.

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Loose parts such as game pieces and felt balls add imaginative possibilities to this easy-to-put-together fall tablescape pretend play setup.

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Can you think of anything I’ve forgotten to set out on the table? It’s fall-themed cups! I didn’t realize they were missing until after I had taken all the pictures.

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Little learners relish playing with seasonal accessories. And it’s especially fun to see their excited response the first day they notice a new play kitchen theme.

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View this Fall Play Tablescape as a video.

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Pumpkin Tablescape Pretend Play

October 21, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This bright and cheery pumpkin tablescape pretend play setup has a host of loose parts that make it super fun to explore.

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Supplies To Collect

Pumpkin-themed loose parts are the highlight of this hands-on dramatic play center your early learners will be eager to explore.

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Pumpkins are a huge part of fall décor, so it is easy to find accessories for this inviting, seasonal dramatic play activity. Here’s a list of items gathered:

white tablecloth
vase with artificial flowers
a string of pumpkin lights
pumpkin-themed disposable plates and serving trays
non-breakable cutlery and drinking glasses
acrylic gem pumpkins
artificial mini pumpkins
wooden pumpkin beads
pumpkin cookie cutters
pumpkin seeds
reusable pumpkin ice cubes
pumpkin-themed ice cube tray
felt pumpkins
fall-themed mini spatula
wooden harvest/pumpkin plaque
plastic jars and serving bowls
cookie tray
serving utensils

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Setting Up The Pumpkin Tablescape

Set up this colorful pumpkin-themed pretend play center your early learners will love. Loose parts are the highlight of this hands-on dramatic play activity.

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It’s so quick and easy to set up this play tablescape. I keep a large storage container with pumpkin-themed accessories and take out the tableware and loose parts that work for the center.

To get this activity ready, first cover a child-sized table with a white tablecloth. Then, set an unbreakable vase with pumpkin-themed artificial flowers in the center. Add a string of pumpkin lights around the vase.

Next, arrange place settings with fall-themed disposable plates and cutlery on the table.

Then, drop artificial mini pumpkins into clear drinking glasses and include them in the place settings.

After this, set out the rest of the supplies in the open spaces:

tray of felt pumpkin “cookies”
jar of artificial mini pumpkins
bowl of pumpkin/turkey bead “candies”
ice cube tray with reusable pumpkin-themed ice cubes
bowl of pumpkin seeds
jar of acrylic pumpkin gems
fall-themed spatula

Finally, add serving spoons to the play tablescape.

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Your little learners will be excited to discover this pumpkin tablescape pretend play center, and I’m sure a lot of imaginative, quality play will take place.

Pumpkins in all shapes and forms are the highlights in this easy-to-set-up pumpkin tablescape dramatic play center little learners will love.

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View this Pumpkin Tablescape Pretend Play Center as a video.

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More Pumpkin Activities

Eye Dropper Pumpkin Art

Pumpkin Painting Process Art

Glow In The Dark Pumpkin Art

Edible Playdough Pumpkins

Pumpkin Color Activities

Pumpkin Playdough Activities

Pumpkin Collage Art

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DIY Portable Mud Kitchen

October 7, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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I am a huge fan of mud kitchens but also love a DIY portable mud kitchen option. A “to go” mud kitchen that can be taken on nature outings or set anywhere in the classroom is economical and easy to set up. And it offers a multitude of imaginative play opportunities.

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Portable Mud Kitchen Supplies

Supplies for a portable mud kitchen that can quickly and easily be set up indoors or outside, Fall leaves are the highlight.

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To make a pop-up mud kitchen, simply use supplies you have on hand. Gather the following:

milk crate
small wire shelves
cardboard box square
play pots and pans
loaf pans and muffin tins
soup spoons
wood slices
pine cones
rocks
leaves
black permanent marker
black crayon
circle tracers

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The DIY Portable Mud Kitchen

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This portable mud kitchen can be set up anywhere. In the classroom, it allows you to bring in natural materials for early learners to explore in an effortless way.

To put it together, start off by using circle tracers (think food container lids) to draw stove burners on a cardboard box square with a black permanent marker. Color in some of the circles with a black crayon.

Place the stove top drawing on an upside-down milk crate. Or draw stove burners on the bottom of a box.

Set the crate and drawing (or box stove) in a sensory table (sand and water table.)

Add small wire shelves (available at dollar stores).

Collect old pots, pans, muffin tins, and serving bowls and place them in the table. Include serving spoons.

Sprinkle in rocks, wood slices, pine cones, and leaves in a variety of colors. Invite little learners to explore the center.

It’s that simple!

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More Mud Kitchen Play

This setup can be taken outside and arranged on the ground or on a bench. Load all the supplies in the crate for easy transport.

A metal bowl “sink”, a pitcher of water, tea cups, whisks, potato mashers, and ladles would add interest and sensory opportunities to this center.

An active world tray positioned on the ground works well as a base instead of a sensory table. Or set up the supplies on a tarp.

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Related: Fall Sensory Play

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Flower Stand Dramatic Play Center

September 12, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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A flower stand dramatic play center can be set up in minutes and will be a colorful, inviting place for your little learners to play. It was this summer’s dramatic play center at my preschool, and absolutely everyone enjoyed it. In addition to making a great spring or summer pretend play area, it’s perfect for Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day.

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Supplies To Collect

Dollar stores are an excellent resource for stocking a flower stand pretend play center, as they often have a good selection of artificial flowers at a low price. Keeping an eye out for flower theme supplies on regular shopping runs will lead to discovering interesting accessories to add to the stand.

Here’s what’s in my flower stand:

a variety of artificial flower branches
small decorative garbage cans
flower-themed plates, bowls, and ice cube trays
pool noodles flower slices
flowery gift bags
bulletin board slabs in a flower shape
flower erasers and reusable ice cubes
flower-themed silicone baking molds
plastic vases
watering cans
gardening gloves
play money
flower stand sign
signs with plant quotes

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The Flower Stand Dramatic Play Center

The flower branches are set out in small decorative garbage cans. They look appealing when organized in individual or analogous colors.

Color sorting artificial flowers in a flower stand dramatic play center is a good way to learn about colors.

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There is no harm in setting out the sprigs randomly. Little learners will eagerly rearrange the blooms in ways that suit them.

These artificial flowers can be arranged by color in a flower stand dramatic play center.

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Other supplies are arranged on a shelf and/or table. This user-friendly shelf on casters houses supplies superbly and is perfect for dramatic play centers.

Flower stand accessories are housed perfectly on a shelf with casters.

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Flower-theme silicone baking cups with different colored inserts are great for developing eye-hand coordination and for discussing colors. In this center, they are repurposed as mini-interchangeable puzzles!

Flower-themed layered baking cups make great mini-puzzles for a flower stand dramatic play center

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Flower-shaped pool noodles cut into thin slices make pretend play “cookies.”

Sliced flower-themed pool noodles make great "cookies" for a flower stand dramatic play center.

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Tip: Slice a pool noodle section into one to two-inch wide flower-shaped treats on a cutting board with a sharp kitchen knife.

Succulents, a last-minute find, add variety and texture to the flower choices. Their smaller size makes them easy for little learners to handle and move around. My preschoolers loved them, so I will definitely be adding more over time.

Artificial succulents are just the right size for little hands and add texture and interest to a flower stand dramatic play center.

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A flower stand sign and quotes about blooms add opportunities to engage with print.

A fower-themed sign and quotes add a literacy component to a flower stand dramatic play center,

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Click here to view the Flower Stand Dramatic Play Center as a video.

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Learning Through Play Possibilities

There is a lot of learning through play potential in this flower stand dramatic play center. The center has opportunities for:

discussing job titles such as florist, cashier, and delivery truck driver.
taking turns to be a customer.
recognizing colors of flowers and accessories.
counting supplies and coins, sorting flowers by color, and discussing large and small bouquets.
experiencing and handling beautiful, aesthetically pleasing things.

A flower-themed cardmaking station would be an awesome center to go along with this flower stand. Little learners would be thrilled to make cards for the store.

A card-making center compliments a flower stand dramatic play center.

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And wouldn’t a flower stand be wonderful in bright, warm fall colors? My flower stand is transitioning to an autumn-themed one next week!

Setting up a flower stand in fall colors is a good way to celebrate the autumn season.

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Lemonade Stand Dramatic Play Center

August 28, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Today is Lemonade Stand Day in and around our city. Children are invited to set up a lemonade stand to raise money for a local children’s hospital. All supplies are included, so it is easy for them to do. A lemonade stand dramatic play center is a fun way to extend this lemony theme at home or in the classroom.

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Supplies To Collect

Spring and summer are the best seasons to find lemony tableware and home décor items. And collecting fruity, yellow play pieces to stock the stand is so refreshing!

It's refreshing and fun to gather props for a lemonade stand dramatic play center.

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Included in my lemonade stand are:

artificial lemons in different sizes
rubber lemon counters
lemon branches in vases
plastic beverage dispenser
yellow plates, bowls, cups, cutlery, and ice cube tray
lemon-themed spatula, tableware, placemat, potholder, and tea towel
green and yellow rainbow erasers and apple sauce screw-top lids
transparent pebble gem “ice cubes”
citrus juicer
menu
signs with lemon quotes
play money

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The Lemonade Stand Dramatic Play Center

The supplies for this lemonade stand can be spread around shelves and tables. A wooden food stand makes a great centerpiece for the play center.

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The menu includes lemonade and lemon pie, and loose part treats such as lemon cookies, candies, and donuts. And there are lemons in a variety of sizes available for purchase.

Home décor pieces such as lemon branches in vases, a tea towel, an ice cube tray, and lemon-themed tableware are also for sale. Lemonade quotes add ambiance to the center.

A lemonade stand dramatic play center with much more than lemonade for sale! Loose parts complement the center offerings.

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A table and chairs set up near the lemonade stand offer early learners a chance to hang around and pretend to sip lemonade and eat play food.

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Click here to view a video of the Lemonade Stand.

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A lemonade stand and dramatic play center with much more than lemonade for sale! Loose parts complement the center offerings.

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This lemonade stand dramatic play center goes hand and hand with the lemon-inspired play kitchen featured in an earlier post. The supplies used here easily transfer over to a play kitchen.

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National Lemonade Day

National Lemonade Day is celebrated in early May and/or late August in many areas of North America. Children and teens are encouraged to participate in setting up a lemonade stand as an entrepreneurial venture. In doing this, they get practice in goal-setting, working as a team, handling money, and engaging with the community. Next time you see a pop-up lemonade stand, be sure to stop by and purchase a glass of the refreshing citrus drink!

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Related:

Apple Stand Dramatic Play Center

Dessert Bar Play Center

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Watermelon Dramatic Play Center

August 27, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Watermelon is a sweet, juicy fruit chock-full of vitamins and health benefits. All parts of watermelon contain nutrients. Filled with 92% water, the large, low-calorie melon is an effective thirst quencher on hot days. And it just happens to make a colorful, cheery, theme for a watermelon dramatic play center!

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Watermelon-themed picnic tableware and loose parts add a welcome burst of color to a dramatic play center.

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Summer is the best time to collect supplies for a watermelon dramatic play center. The watermelon theme is easy to find in picnic and outdoor living tableware and décor.

Loose parts in complementary colors add interest and extend play possibilities.

Here’s what I included in the play center:

watermelon cups, plates, and bowls
red cutlery
green and red serving spoons
red flowers in a vase
pink, red, green, black, and white pompoms, buttons, and gems
pictures of watermelon slices
fans with a watermelon theme
checkered red and white placemat
watermelon-themed tea towel
red and green rubber frogs

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The Watermelon Dramatic Play Center

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The watermelon-themed supplies are arranged in a tablescape here but can be placed on appliances, furniture, and shelves in your play kitchen. They will instantly transform the area into a vibrant role-playing space, bound to be inviting to your little charges.

Reusable shopping bags have lots of learning potential and can be incorporated into centers. Here, watermelon slices cut from a bag make economical and eye-appealing play food. They add artistic flare.

Watermelon slices cut from a reusable bag make excellent play food for a dramatic play center.

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Loose parts can be transferred from jars to tableware, and little learners will think of many ways to incorporate them into their play.

Keeping an eye out for themed accessories when shopping helps you find items that add interest to a pretend play center. Watermelon fans fit the bill!

A themed fan and button loose parts add interest and play possibilities to a watermelon dramatic play center.

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These rubber frogs are included because they are red and green! My little learners had fun reimagining them as cupcakes and candy.

Rubber fogs and gem loose parts add interest and play possibilities to a watermelon dramatic play center.

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Pompoms in red, pink, green, white, and black set in an almond-shaped watermelon bowl add a soft touch.

Pompoms in red, pink, green, white, and black add interest and play possibilities to a watermelon dramatic play center.

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Watermelon accessories add a burst of color to the play kitchen, welcome any time of the year. Try this fruity dramatic play theme in late winter or early Spring. When outdoor colors are drab, the bold palette is sure to be a mood booster.

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A juicy, watermelon theme pretend play center your little learners will love. Loose parts are a highlight of the center.

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Lemon-Inspired Play Kitchen

August 4, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This spring I started collecting lemon-themed supplies before the weather got warmer and the snow finally melted for good. It was refreshing just to look at the growing tub of yellow-infused accessories. A lemonade stand dramatic play center was one goal for the purchases. The other intent was to set up a lemon-inspired play kitchen, which is featured in this post.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

A cheery lemon-inspired play kitchen theme that early learners will love. The lemony decor and loose parts will inspire imaginative dramatic play.

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No store is off limits for collecting supplies that are useful in children’s activities. Keeping an eye out for economical items on usual shopping runs often leads to spotting the perfect accessories for pretend play. Collected for the lemon-themed play kitchen are:

lemon play food in smaller and larger sizes
play food lemon pie
lemon counters
jar with green and yellow rainbow erasers
jar with apple sauce screw-top caps
lemon-themed tea towel, pot holder, spatula, and serving bowls
yellow disposable cups, cutlery, and ice cube tray
yellow accented paper plates
clear drinking cups
clear plastic beverage dispenser
citrus juicer
artificial lemon branch in a vase

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Lemon-Inspired Play Kitchen Activities

It’s exciting for early learners to discover lemon-themed dramatic play props set out for them. They can be attractively arranged in a play kitchen on a low table and/or shelving units. The youngsters will happily pick up and use the supplies in their own way.

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Just a few of the lemony accessories listed above will spark interest and add a pop of color to the play kitchen.

An artificial lemon branch makes a great centerpiece displayed in an unbreakable vase.

Including loose parts in complementary hues such as yellow and green apple sauce caps and rainbow erasers is great for igniting children’s imaginations. It gives little learners a chance to use recycled items in innovative ways.

This lemon-inspired kids' play tablescape can be set up any time of the year. Loose parts complement the lemon theme.

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These lemon-themed dramatic play props can be set out any time of the year. And they coordinate wonderfully with National Lemonade Day, which is commonly observed in early May and/or late August.

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