pretend play

Easter Pretend Play Tablescape

March 18, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A bright and cheery Easter dramatic play tablescape for your little learners. Loose parts add imaginative play possibilities.

________

With every new theme, my preschoolers eagerly look forward to using new dramatic play accessories in the play kitchen center. As we are now in the month of March, this bright and cheery Easter pretend play tablescape is a great choice.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies To Collect

Easter-themed loose parts and decor are key supplies in a dramatic play tablescape your little learners will love to explore.

_______

Easter-themed loose parts add variety and spice to an Easter pretend play setup.

Gather the following supplies for the tablescape:

vase with artificial Easter flower sprig
Easter-themed cups and paper plates
matching play forks and spoons
egg cups and play eggs
baking sheet and Easter-themed cookie cutters
muffin tin and Easter pompom garland
egg platter with fillable Easter eggs
bunny-shaped tongs
fillable chicks
themed tea towel
oval spring-themed box
bunny and chick game pieces in a small oval box
bowl with Easter-themed erasers

_______

The Easter Pretend Play Tablescape

Set the above supplies on shelves in the pretend play kitchen center, or arrange them as an Easter-themed tablescape.

_______

Dollar and party stores are great places to find unique and economical loose parts for the tablescape.

Gigantic pompoms cut from garland make fluffy pretend play muffins or cupcakes.

Easter-themed erasers add variety and can be reimagined as candies or other treats.

Chick and bunny tic tac toe game pieces get a new use as Easter loose parts.

Bunny-themed tongs make picking up fillable eggs more fun.

_______

The themed paper plates and cups, egg platter, egg cups, fillable chicks, cookie cutters, tea towel, and artificial flower sprig are staples for the Easter pretend play tablescape.

_______

[Read more…]

St. Patrick’s Day Pretend Play

March 15, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

A play kitchen is a must-have center in an early learning classroom and is a favorite place for little learners to play. Adding seasonal items to a play kitchen keeps it interesting and inviting. In March, a St. Patrick’s Day pretend play center is a perfect fit.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies Collected

Green and St. Patrick's Day-themed accessories for a dramatic play kitchen center your little learners will love to explore.

_______

For this center, I gathered mostly green items, with a few yellow and gold items added in. Included are:

St. Patrick’s Day disposable plates
cutlery
play food
stir sticks
reusable shamrock ice cubes
clear glasses
baskets, serving bowls, and ice cube tray
felt “pretzel” shamrocks
sheet pan with felt shamrock “cookies”
wooden shamrock “candies”
shamrock-shaped serving tray with buns
ping pong ball “buns” in a muffin tin
St. Patrick’s Day erasers
jar with coins, beads, and garland strips
large gem pebbles
leprechaun and bear table decorations
artificial flowers in a vase

_______

The St. Patrick’s Day Pretend Play Center

In this post, most of the supplies are set on a play kitchen table. These supplies can also be arranged in the appliances and on the shelves.

_______

There are a variety of green and St. Patrick’s Day-themed loose parts in the table display. Little learners will use their imagination to incorporate the loose parts in their own ways.

The themed supplies are set on a gold tablecloth. In an earlier post, I showcased similar supplies on an orange tablecloth. I also featured them on a green table-a natural fit!

Many of the play kitchen accessories seen here are useful in other centers as well. They can be used on a light table, in a water table, or on a rice sensory tray.

A super fun, easy-to-set-up St. Patrick's Day dramatic play activity. Themed loose parts are the highlights of the pretend play set up.

_______

More Pretend Play Tablescapes

Easter Pretend Play Tablescape

Spring Bunny Play Tablescape

Lemon-Inspired Play Kitchen

Watermelon Dramatic Play Center

Fall Tablescape Pretend Play

Pumpkin Tablescape Pretend Play

Thanksgiving Tablescape Pretend Play

Kid’s Winter Wonderland Tablescape

Penguin Pretend Play Tablescape

Chinese New Year Tablescape

Valentine’s Day Pretend Play

_______

[Read more…]

Valentine’s Day Pretend Play

February 21, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

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.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies Collected

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

_______

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

_______

The Valentine’s Day Pretend Play Tablescape

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

_______

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.

_______

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

_______

More Valentine’s Day Play Tablescape Ideas

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

_______

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.

_______

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

_______

Related:

Valentine’s Day Store

Valentine’s Day Treasure Blocks

_______

[Read more…]

Penguin Pretend Play Tablescape

February 9, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

Penguins are well-loved animals and are a popular subject for art activities and sensory bins. Here they get a further notice in a penguin pretend play tablescape.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies Collected

_______

My preschoolers love to discover seasonal loose parts in a dramatic play center. And just a few themed accessories and matching loose parts make for engaging learning through play. Supplies collected for this penguin-themed tablescape are:

crafted foam penguins
penguin coasters and cookie tin
muffin tin and cupcake liners with a penguin theme
mini penguin erasers
penguin ice cube tray
black bowls, baskets, trays, and serving spoon
white spoons and forks
clear cups and faux ice cubes
black and white plaid styrofoam balls
red, black, and white stuffed felt hearts
black and white letter tiles
cotton balls
white buttons and pearl beads
black and white gift box, placemat, and striped straws
play food fish and eggs
penguin themed key chains
white tablecloth

_______

The Penguin Pretend Play Tablescape

Even though we have snow in our area well into March most years, penguin-themed supplies are usually only available in fall or early December. If you see them, you buy them because there is no guarantee you will spot them again.

_______

In this bin, the penguin-themed coasters, cookie tin, and ice cube tray are dollar store finds.

Black bowls, serving spoons, and trays as well as white forks and spoons fit the color scheme.

Mini penguin erasers and penguin-themed cupcake liners add character to the theme.

Crafted foam penguins and stuffed felt hearts make great play cookies.

Penguins eat fish and lay eggs, so fish and egg play food is a good fit.

_______

A black and white gift box and placemat add design elements. The letter tiles give the opportunity to spell the word “penguin.”

A mound of cotton balls is a reminder of the snowy environment most penguins live in.

The penguin-themed key chains make great dinner party favors.

Black and/or white loose parts such as buttons, straws, pearl beads, and cloth-covered styrofoam balls round out the supplies.

All accessories are set on a white tablecloth.

_______

This penguin-themed pretend play tablescape is a good example of how a few themed supplies and inexpensive complimentary loose parts offer many dramatic play opportunities.

_______

Arctic Animal Facts And Sensory Trays

Penguin Small World

_______

[Read more…]

Thanksgiving Tablescape Pretend Play

November 23, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

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.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

_______

Supplies In The Thanksgiving Tablescape

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

_______

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

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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

_______

Thanksgiving Printables

Shop Thanksgiving printables in my Etsy shop “Skills N Smiles“:

_______

Fall Tablescape Pretend Play

Pumpkin Play Tablescape

_______

[Read more…]

pretend play

Supplies To Collect

The Easter Pretend Play Tablescape

Supplies Collected

The St. Patrick’s Day Pretend Play Center

More Pretend Play Tablescapes

Supplies Collected

The Valentine’s Day Pretend Play Tablescape

More Valentine’s Day Play Tablescape Ideas

Supplies Collected

The Penguin Pretend Play Tablescape

Related Posts:

Supplies In The Thanksgiving Tablescape

Thanksgiving Tablescape Pretend Play

Thanksgiving Printables

Related: