Setting up a dramatic play area at home can seem a bit daunting if it is not something you have done before but really the key is to keep it simple and before you know it you will have your very own Fire Station, Doctor’s Surgery or Zoo! We have some top tips to help guide you as you are starting out and don’t forget our printable resources are there to help. You can download any of our themed resources for free to help you build a print-rich, colourful area easily.
Use what you have
There is no need to have specific furniture for dramatic play. You can use what you have to hand and repurpose it with imagination over, and over again.
A desk can be a patient’s bed, a reception area, a control panel or a conveyor belt. A play kitchen can double as an airport check-in area, a shop front, a luggage drop-off or a zoo ticket desk.
Repurpose cardboard boxes, storage boxes. Get those crafting skills flowing and make a garda car out of a cardboard box! Children will learn to be creative, resourceful and sustainable.
Let children have a say
Children will already have some understanding of the theme you are building so ask them, get them involved, let them decide where things go, that they want to include and let them move the furniture around.
Children will have lots of ideas on where to put things and how props should be set up, encourage them to discuss what they know about a particular topic such as a zoo or doctor’s surgery. It is a great opportunity to build some early vocabulary and explore new vocabulary.
Incorporate real world props
Nothing beats real life props when it comes to play. Real kitchen utensils in the bakery , real bandages in the medical centre, a keyboard and phone in the fire station.
Children love using “grown up” tools, it helps them develop fine motor skills and teaches them about how things work.
Always consider safety and age appropriateness being mindful of hazards and supervising young children but don’t feel you have to opt for “toys” all the time.
Keep it simple
Start with a single station or area and add on to it as children show interest. An examination room in the doctor’s surgery before adding on a reception area. A control room in the garda station before adding on a jail, a table with place setting in the restaurant before adding in the pizza making station.
Too much at once can be overwhelming and can make it difficult to engage with at all which is not what you want at all! You can add areas, props and resources as you build on and develop the area and your child shows an interest and understanding but don’t rush it.
Last but not least – Have Fun!
Let your child take the lead and have fun playing together. Embrace your own creativity, use your imagination and go to a teddy bears picnic, be the visitor at the zoo or the passenger on the airline.
You will marvel at your child’s ability to take on a new persona and embody their favourite character. Children will take on a new tone of voice, mannerisms, body language and character traits during dramatic play. Play provides that safe space for them to explore.