Recent research from the University of California Berkeley indicated that children who were better at pretend play were better at thinking about different possibilities. By imagining the way things will work, children try to predict if what they are doing will work. Then when done pretending they can compare their results to real life experiences. […]
Print these two free fun pages to play pretend laundromat. This is a functional pretend play activity. A child can work on sorting and counting laundry while using their imagination to open up a “laundromat”. You can download the pages at GrowingPlay. This activity encourages: pretend play imagination literacy math skills writing skills functional skills […]
Children love to play pretend birthday party. To start off this pretend party we needed to make the birthday “cupcakes”. I set out a tray with some play dough, cut up straws, beads, cotton balls and cupcake liners. After rolling the cupcakes into balls, we placed them into the cupcake liners and they were ready […]
Here is a simple pretend play idea – animal rescue. The kids pretended to open an animal rescue center. The first step was to arrange a veterinarian visit for the rescued animals. Then mini habitats were created for shelter while they healed before releasing them back into the wild. This was a nice learning experience […]
This is a great way to make pretend foam swords. I made these years ago for my son’s birthday party and they still get tons of play time. Now I know you can buy foam swords in the dollar store but they are not nearly as good as these. These homemade swords are much longer, […]
If your children enjoy playing doll house or any type of pretend play with figures you have to check out this website where the creator offers loads a tiny accessories to print and create. The creating part is definitely for adult fingers. It is tedious to work with such small pieces of paper with lots […]
Pretend Play Box -Doctor Hospital What’s Inside: Inside this box is a home made clipboard (cardboard, contact paper and binder clip), some Pretend Play pages from Doctor and Hospital, box of band aids, ace wrap, gauze, jar of cotton balls, container of Q-tips, fake ice pack (blue fun foam with clear paper shreds inside plastic […]
Here is the first issue of the Growing Play Magazine which is loaded with activity ideas that focus on pretend play, outdoor fun and active play. If you can not read it below head over to GrowingPlay to download the pdf. Open publication – Free publishing – More free play
I have officially decided I am going to try to organize some pretend play activities. One reason is to clean up our pretend play supplies and keep them together. The other reason is to be able to switch out toys easily. Therefore, my goal is to organize one pretend play box a week using stuff […]
Make some of these homemade sock blocks for playtime. Great way to use up old or mismatched socks. Find out how at GrowingPlay.com.