Prop Box Ideas to Enhance Dramatic Play

Compiled by Cathy Abraham ‘PROP BOX’ &/or DRAMATIC PLAY ENRICHMENT IDEAS

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 Small garden tools potting 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

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2 FIREFIGHTER 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 – all lengths, widths, shapes, sizes tools Toolbox measuring devices spigots Plungers hose/nozzles hardware store flyers Old shirt (w/ logo on pocket)

TOURIST/VACTION Suitcases ‘tickets’ sunglasses Maps Hawaiian shirts ‘passports’ ‘travelers checks’/money postcards travel magazines camera

BAKERY Fresh playdough measuring spoons rolling pins Aprons oven mits cookie sheets Pictures of baked goods chef’s 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, magnets ‘fish’ (w/ magnets) binoculars Fishing magazines camera thermos

3 CAMPING/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 Paint color sample wheels

ASTRONAUT Helmet ‘airtank’ earphones Globe ‘control panel’ moonboots Flag ‘moonrocks’ walkie-talkies Star decals a ‘rocketship’ ‘food’ in plastic bags

OPTOMITRIST Eye chart pointer glasses (frames) Table mirror white lab coat glass cases Wooden spoon (for covering one eye to read chart) pictures of eyes

JEWELRY STORE Old jewelry (check for safety) necklaces, bracelets, rings, clip-on earrings cash register play money ‘display case’ Jewelry boxes small 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

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4 DOCTOR/NURSE Paper nurse’s 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 (small)

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 (w/ cord cut off) magazines play money Curling irons (cord cut off) 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

5 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 (siren)

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

CARWASH 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, sausage, pepperoni, olives

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

6 Other prop box ideas:

Science Lab Cider Mill New Baby Bear Cave Farmer Dancer Carpender 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

Tips for Teachers: - 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.

7 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.

8 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!

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