Dramatic Play and Prop Boxes

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

Note: things used on hair must be sanitized after use by children.

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