Dramatic Play and Prop Boxes
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Tips for Using Prop Boxes in Dramatic Play
- Try to get computer paper boxes donated to store items between use. Label neatly with contents of box.
- Not all prop items or ideas are appropriate for all ages - always consider safety first.
- Rotate these items frequently and you will prevent boredom (and behavioral problems due to boredom) in your classroom.
- Parents are a great resource for prop box item donations.
- Do not allow stereotyping based on sex. All children should be allowed to explore any 'role' they choose.
- Share prop boxes and resources throughout the center.
- View dramatic play and prop box enrichments as opportunities to build upon skills and learn concepts.
Ideas for Props for Dramatic Play
The Beach
blankets picnic basket beach umbrella sunglasses beach ball pretend suntan lotion |
beach towel buckets and shovels shells lawn chairs straw hats play picnic foods |
Beach Boys music swimming caps surfboard Snorkels fins flip flops |
Flower Shop
plastic flowers watering can seeds florist smock flower/garden magazines garden hats |
dsmall garden tool spotting soil vases Garden gloves ribbon order book and pen |
cash register/money phone plastic pots Styrofoam squares baskets |
Restaurant
tablecloth napkins dishes tablewear | menus (made w/ food pics) order pads/pencils Sign for restaurant aprons | hats Cash register trays play food |
Veterinarian
stuffed animals cotton balls gauze surgical masks pamphlets on animals |
plastic gloves play money needless syringes exam table empty medicine bottles |
pet brushes white lab coat pet carriers magnifying glass stethoscope |
Fire Fighter
yellow rubber raincoats boots old vacuum hose phone |
whistle fire hats stepladder flashlight |
fire safety posters walkie-talkies gloves baby dolls (to rescue) |
Plumber
piping - shapes, sizes tools toolbox |
measuring devices spigots plungers hose/nozzles |
hardware store flyers old shirt (w/ logo on pocket) |
Tourist / Vacation
suitcases tickets sunglasses maps |
Hawaiian shirts passports travelers checks/money |
postcards travel magazines camera |
Bakery
fresh playdough measuring spoons rolling pins aprons oven mitts cookie sheets |
pictures of baked goods chefs hat muffin tins cake pans mixing bowls spoons |
cake decorators order pads recipes cookie cutters flour shaker cupcake papers |
Post Office
envelopes postcards stamps (seals/stickers) boxes or packages dufflebag junk mail |
mailbox scale mailperson hat stickers paper punch |
cash register old blue shirt cash register pens, pencils, paper |
Fishing
boat (box) styrofoam packing worms net tackle box |
sinkers/bobbers fishing hat pole w/ string, fish (w/ magnets) |
binoculars fishing magazines camera thermos |
Campping / Forest Ranger
canteen flashlight tent knapsack grill fake campfire sticks w/ marshmallows binoculars |
small skillet mosquito-netting nature books food supplies sleeping bags thermos fishing poles |
fly swatter plastic ants small cooler lawn furniture orange vests paper plates |
House Painter
smocks paint brushes paint rollers buckets of water |
paint rags paint trays cap |
old shirts step ladder color sample wheels |
Astronaut
helmet airtank earphones globe |
control panel moonboots flag moonrocks |
walkie-talkies star decals a rocketship food in plastic bags |
Optometrist
eye chart pointer glasses |
table mirror white lab coat |
glass cases wooden spoon pictures of eyes |
Jewelry Store
old jewelry necklaces, bracelets cash register |
play money display case |
jewelry boxes mall mirrors |
Shoe Store
lots of shoes shoe boxes cash register play money ruler or foot measurer |
shoestrings shoe horn sacks pictures of shoes hook w/ service numbers |
small chairs full-length mirror shoe polish (empty) order pad extra shoe laces |
Doctor / Nurse
paper nurses hats surgical masks/booties stethoscope cotton balls band aids telephone scale |
white aprons or lab coat small flashlight hot water bottle gauze rubber gloves dolls/doll beds syringes (w/o needles) |
empty medicine bottle hospital gown doctor bag x-rays thermometer rx pad/files old crutches |
Wedding
white dresses veil or lace curtain bride magazines wedding cake rings |
bow ties flowers paper to make invites white dress up shoes suit |
decorations black clergy robe wedding pictures camera "Just Married" sign |
Hair Stylist
plastic combs mirrors hairpins rollers spray bottles barrettes appointment book |
plastic capes brushes hair dryer magazines play money curling irons empty shampoo bottles |
ribbons posters of hair styles telephone hair clips wigs/wig heads towels headbands |
Gas Station / Auto Mechanic
tools/tool box steering wheels play money work clothes oil cans gas hose |
cash register squeegee/bucket poster with prices tire gauge car keys funnel (for oil) |
rags tire pump auto supply catalogue gas can (new) used/washed or new auto parts |
Office Worker
desk name plate old forms/files typewriter briefcase memo pad |
phones/phone books paper/pens/pencils calculator stamps old computer |
stapler paperclips junk mail pen holder rolodex |
Police Officer
pad for writing tickets small clipboard police hat stop signs |
license plates blue shirt walkie-talkie badge |
911 signs black belt steering wheel whistle |
Grocery Store
play food check out area egg cartons paper bags |
cash register play money sale flyers grocery cart/basket |
aprons purses/wallets plastic fruit/vegetables coupons |
Car Wash
tricycles buckets water |
buckets sponges squeegees |
hose car wash signs play money |
School
chalkboard/chalk notebooks pencils/paper |
books backpack lunchbox |
chairs teachers desk flag |
Pizza Parlor
discarded pizza boxes play money order pad phones |
bakery aprons cash register stove play pizza cutter |
prep area cardboard circles (pizzas) with felt on one side felt toppings - green peppers, mushrooms,etc |
Bank
play money deposit slips/checks bankbooks |
adding machine/calculator teller window cash box |
rubber stamps/ink pads paper/pens coin rolls |
Ice Cream Parlor
ice cream scoops paper cones empty ice cream tubs |
play money/cash register apron and hat order pads/pencils |
wipe-off board menu empty whipped cream spray cans |
Other prop box ideas
Science Lab * Cider Mill * New Baby * Bear Cave * Farmer * Dancer * Carpenter * Reporter * Music Store * Train Conductor * Pilot * Maid * Magician * Telephone Repairmen * Book Store * Library * Clothing Store * Picnic * Seamstress * Sporting Goods Store * Dentist * Fast Food Drive-thru * Pet Shop * Birthday Party * Travel Agency * Movie Theater * The Zoo * Window Washer * Royalty * Play * The Circus * Rancher * Weatherman * Hat Shop * Photography Studio * Repair Shop * Costume Shop
I learn through dramatic play!
When I am dressing up or playing in the Dramatic Play Area, I try on various roles to help me process and understand my world. I am developing my social skills and ability to play with others, while using my imagination and being creative.
I Can! By Peter and Katie Stewart
I can use my imagination
To set a fantasy free
I can perform and be someone else
The inspiration comes from me!
There are places I'll explore
That I may never get to see.
There are people I can play
Who I may never get to be.
Not tomorrow, but today
I can through dramatic play!
I can be a pirate
With my dirty, strong mates.
Through my spyglass I look for treasure
As I sail the seas and straights.
I can be a princess
Beautiful and fair
The only entrance to my tower
Is to climb up my long hair.
I can be a fairy
And know how to fly
I'll wear a dress made of petals
Drink honey and never cry.
I can be a dish
And run away with a spoon.
Or a genie in a lamp
Or ride a unicorn past the moon.
I can dance around a tribal fire
Or daintily sip my tea.
Or I can make people cry, clap, and laugh
The inspiration comes from me.
And after I've been every thing
I can possibly pretend to be
I can realize how special
It is to be me!
Copyright 2005 ~Cathy Abraham