Putting The Pretty In Preschool

Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

play food

Outer Space Pretend Play

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Shiny, metallic loose parts are the highlight of this outer space pretend play tablescape your little learners will love to explore.

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This outer space pretend play tablescape is one of my absolute favorites. It has lots of shiny, metallic pieces that are perfect for an out-in-space dining experience.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

The following supplies work well in this space-themed pretend play tablescape your little astronauts will love:

  • small metallic silver star-shaped dessert bowls
  • juice lids
  • gold and silver adhesive gems
  • large silver bells
  • silver bead garland
  • gold bead necklaces
  • star-shaped reusable ice cubes
  • aluminum foil tart baking cups
  • silver pipe cleaners
  • metal serving bowl
  • silver tongs
  • clear cutlery
  • small silver tray
  • grey muffin tin
  • styrofoam balls
  • clear plastic stemware
  • metallic silver or gold tablecloth
  • metallic spray centerpiece
  • aluminum foil pie pans

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The Space Tablescape Pretend Play Set Up

A shiny, metallic silver and gold color scheme transforms the play kitchen into an outer space pretend play area.

Shiny, metallic loose parts are the highlight of this outer space pretend play tablescape your little learners will love to explore.

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Aluminum foil tart baking cups glued onto juice lids along with silver pipe cleaner handles make cute space-themed tea cups.

DIY metallic silver tea cups created for an outer space pretend play tablescape for little learners.

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The addition of gold star stickers is an easy way to have stemware fit the outer space theme.

Just add star stickers to transform a goblet into an outer space pretend play accessory.

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Silver-edged clear plastic stemware glasses add elegance to the table display.

A silver-edged goblet with resusable star ice cubes co-ordinates well with a space-themed pretend play tablescape.

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Large silver bells serve as muffins, white styrofoam balls are buns, and aluminum foil pie pans are dinner plates.

Stryfoam balls and large metallic silver bells add interest to an outer space play food table display.

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Gold bead necklaces cut into strips make great pretend spaghetti noodles. Silver balls cut from garland are the meatballs.

Cut metallic bead garland and necklaces make the perfect loose parts for an outer space spaghetti pretend play meal.

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Silver and gold adhesive gems added to juice lids make tasty chocolate chip cookies.

Just add gold and silver gem stickers to juice lids to create outer space chocolate chip pretend play cookies.

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A metallic silver tablecloth, reusable star ice cubes, and a silver bowl, tray, muffin tin, and pair of tongs round out the supplies in this glittery outer space pretend play tablescape.

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Lighted Outer Space Pretend Play

For added flare, include a metallic spray centerpiece and shine a professional stage light on the outer space pretend play tablescape.

A professional stage light adds flare in outer space pretend play tablescape set up.

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Related:

Scented Moon Playdough

Space Father’s Day Craft

Salt and Glue Moon Art

White Lilacs and Black Playdough

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Valentine’s Day Pretend Play

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This simple and pretty Valentine's Day pretend play tablescape is filled with hearts and red and white loose parts.

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Early learners absolutely love dramatic play and eagerly embrace new seasonal accessories in a play kitchen. Here’s a heart-filled Valentine’s Day Pretend Play tablescape your little charges will be excited to explore.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies Collected

Lots of hearts and red and white loose parts make this Valentine's Day pretend play tablescape fun to play in.

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The following economical supplies were gathered for this seasonal play tablescape:

  • valentine-themed cups and disposable plates
  • heart-shaped measuring spoons, serving plate, and silicone mold
  • heart-themed ice cube tray, spatula, canister, and a small tin
  • cookie pan and valentine’s muffin tin
  • purple, red, and magenta craft foam hearts
  • red, white, and black stuffed felt hearts
  • large red and white pompom balls
  • valentine erasers
  • red gem hearts
  • white pearl beads
  • metallic red beads
  • vase with red hearts and white flowers
  • white tablecloth

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The Valentine’s Day Pretend Play Tablescape

A super fun Valentine's Day pretend play tablescape with lots of heart-themed accessories.

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Dollar stores are a handy place to find many of the supplies featured in this tablescape.

Foam craft hearts and stuffed felt hearts make great “cookies.”

Loose parts such as valentine erasers, gem hearts, and pearl and metallic beads allow early learners to exercise their imagination.

Lots of hearts and red and white loose parts make this Valentine's Day pretend play tablescape fun to play in.

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These Valentine’s Day-themed supplies can be set up as a tablescape or spread around play kitchen appliances and shelves.

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More Valentine’s Day Play Tablescape Ideas

Heart-themed accessories take center stage in this Valentine's Day dramatic play invitation.

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In this next Valentine’s Day tablescape, heart-themed plates, bowls. and cookie cutters are included, as well as sunglasses and a purse.

Heart-shaped reusable ice cubes, a Valentine’s-themed tea towel and oven mitt, and cupcake play food would also make great additions to a Valentine’s Day pretend play tablescape.

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This simple and pretty Valentine's Day dramatic play tablescape is filled with hearts and red and white loose parts.

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Related:

Valentine’s Day Store

Valentine’s Day Treasure Blocks

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[Read more…] about Valentine’s Day Pretend Play

Dessert Bar Play Center

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Hands down this dessert bar play center is one of my preschooler’s favorites. It was available for a month this past March/April and played in every single school day.

Your little learners will love playing in this tasty dessert bar dramatic play center with a coffee brewing station.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

No store is off-limits when gathering supplies for this tasty dramatic play center. Since it’s easy to find play food and kitchenware sets, the center is pretty effortless to put together.

Items in this dessert bar are:

  • a variety of cupcakes and cookies
  • brownie set
  • muffins
  • pie
  • cake slice
  • disposable plates
  • cutlery
  • cups and saucers
  • food trays
  • coffee brewing set
  • cash register
  • play money
  • vase with flowers

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The Dessert Bar Play Center

A shelving unit showcases the desserts beautifully.

Delectable dessert bar play food displayed on a shelf with see-through cubicles.

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A table and chair set make a cozy area to “eat” dessert. A mammoth mom and baby joined in this setup!

A dessert bar tablescape ready to be enjoyed by little learners.

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A play coffee brewing set is nice to have. Mine came from a discount store, and the children loved making and serving coffee with it.

A coffee brewing station is a fun addition to a dessert bar dramatic play center.

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This elegant little tray was a happy find at a dollar store, and I snapped up a few. They weren’t available long, so I’m sure other people realized how special they were too. The shiny trays showcase the desserts well.

A shiny play tray to add elegance to a dessert bar play center.

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A sign and menu posted on a wall indicate the type of restaurant and what is served. Pictures of desserts accompanied by captions help create an ambiance.

Add ambiance to a dessert bar play center with a sign, menu, and pictorial quotes.

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The menu is helpful to check prices and see how much to pay for orders. When the food is laid out like a chart, it makes it easy for preschoolers to add up how much an order costs.

Make a graph with play food to show how much a dessert bar order costs.

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Benefits Of The Dessert Bar Center

Aside from counting and addition opportunities, this center allows children to make choices by selecting desserts. And they can practice turn-taking and role-playing by being the server and the customer.

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Enhancing The Dessert Bar

After a few days, setting out a new dessert such as a play cake set would help keep children’s interest in the center going. And pictorial signs attached to shelving cubicles would enhance the literacy component and give opportunities for sorting and matching desserts. Can you think of anything else to add?

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Your little learners will love playing in this tasty dessert bar pretend play center with a coffee brewing station.

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This dessert bar play center is bound to be a hit with your little learners. Just a few supplies provide many opportunities for vibrant learning through play. Start out with economical play food, such as dollar store cupcake and cake sets. The selection of desserts need not be elaborate…children will love the center no matter how big or small it is.

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Related: Winter Wonderland Tablescape

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