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  • Hi, I'm Vicky, the founder and content creator at Mess For Less. If you are looking for family-friendly recipes, recipes that kids can make, and play and learning activities for kids, you will find them at Mess For Less. I invite you to learn more about me. Thanks for stopping by!

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    Home » Play and Fun

    30+ Pretend Play Ideas

    Published: Jul 11, 2016 · Modified: Jun 20, 2022 by Vicky · This post contains affiliate links.

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    Do your kids love to pretend and make believe? When I taught Kindergarten, the dramatic play center was on of the most popular parts of the classroom and with good reasons. Kids could go in there and transform into a fire fighter, teacher, builder or anything they could dream up. Pretend play ideas help kids develop social and emotional skills and language skills. Best of all, they get to use their imagination while doing so. Setting up a pretend play activity can be intimidating, but it doesn't need to be. Here are some easy pretend play ideas to try with your child.

    This is the best list of pretend play ideas I have found. I used them for kids activities at home but they would also be great for a dramatic play area.


    Pretend Play Ideas - Cooking and Food

    Birthday Party Playdough from Mess for Less

    Pretend Cooking with Real Food Scraps from Learn Play Imagine

    Coffee Shop Pretend Play from Happy Hooligans

    Ice Cream Pretend Play from Adventures of Adam at Frogs, Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

    Picnic Pretend Play from Uno Zwei Tutu

    Pretend Play Tea Parties from Housing a Forest

    Pretend Play Grocery Shopping from Darcy and Brian

    Pretend Play Ideas - Sensory

    Penguin Sensory Bin and Small World Play from Learn Play Imagine

    Pretend Play Perfume Factory from Happy Hooligans

    Giant Frog Pond World from Fun at Home with Kids

    Under the Sea Pretend Play from Powerful Mothering

    Outdoors Small World Pretend Play from Sugar Aunts

    Pretend Play Ideas  - Professions

    Vet's Office with Free Printable from Mess for Less

    Astronaut Pretend Play and Study of the Moon from Train up a Child

    Hair and Beauty Salon Pretend Play from Imagination Soup

    Library Pretend Play from The Pleasantest Thing

    Dentist Play Dough Pretend Play from Fantastic Fun and Learning

    Pretend Play Toy Store form No Time for Flashcards

    Astronaut Pretend Play from My Mundane and Miraculous Life

    Pretend Play Hair Salon from Childhood 101

    Archaeologist Pretend Play from Happy Brown House

    Post Office Dramatic Play from Buggy and Buddy

    Space Pretend Play from You Clever Monkey

    Pretend Play Ideas - Life Experiences

    Pretend Elevator from Housing a Forest

    Zoo Keeper Pretend Play from 123 Homeschool for Me

    Pretend Play Dog Park from A Mom with a Lesson Plan

    Movie Theater Pretend Play from Research Parent

    Laundry Day Pretend Play from Happy Hooligans

    Road Construction Pretend Play from Still Playing School

    Birthday Party Pretend Play from Kids Activities Blog

    Camping Pretend Play from Where Imagination Grows

    Pretend Play Garden from Pre-K Pages

    Bird Bath Pretend Play from My Nearest and Dearest

    As you can see, creating pretend play opportunities for kids can be pretty simple and fun!

    If you enjoyed these activities be sure to check out these fun ways to play with kids:

    Outdoor Math Game

    Ice Play Activities

    Ideas for Repurposing Items for Play

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    • 10 Fun Activities for Girls
    • 25 Bad Weather Activities
    • 10 Best Loved Toddler Activities

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Elizabeth Rodriguez

      May 09, 2020 at 7:23 pm

      I think this is great, but it needs more ideas that can appeal to children's needs.

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    Hi, I'm Vicky, the founder and content creator at Mess For Less. If you are looking for family-friendly recipes, recipes that kids can make, and play and learning activities for kids, you will find them at Mess For Less. I invite you to learn more about me. Thanks for stopping by!

    Easter Activities and Recipes

    • Stained Glass Easter Cookie Recipe
    • How to Make Spotted Easter Eggs
    • M&M Easter Cookies
    • Shaving Cream Easter Eggs

    Spring Activities

    • How to Make a Mother's Day Card
    • DIY Seed Starter for Kids
    • Flower Craft Idea
    • How to Make a Paper Butterfly - Easy Craft for Kids

    Popular Recipes

    • Crack Chicken Casserole
    • Overnight Egg Casserole
    • Toasted Italian Sandwich - Food Fun Friday
    • Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake

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