How to Set Up a Daycare Dramatic Play Area for the Holidays

Dramatic Play is such an important part of early childhood. Your daycare dramatic play can be transformed into a festive wonderland during the holiday season! A holiday-themed play area not only encourages creativity and social skills, it also introduces children to cultural traditions in a fun and engaging way. Here’s how to create a magical dramatic play area that celebrates the season.

 

Setting up your play area

First, you need to pick a theme. There are so many possibilities for themes around the holiday season. I’m going to use a holiday bakery theme here to help you visualize the possibilities! You can find this resource-Holiday Bakery Dramatic Play- in my store by clicking here.  Now that you have your theme, it’s time to start gathering your props and learning materials to make your play area come to life. Make the area feel cozy and festive by incorporating holiday-themed decorations.    

Our Thanksgiving Area has a banner and festive tablecloths.

   

Stock the Dramatic Play Area with Holiday Props

Since we are talking about a bakery for this example, consider items like:

• Toy ovens, mixers, muffin tins and baking sheets
• Pretend cookies, cakes and pies
• Cookie cutters and rolling pins

  I get all of my bakery supplies at the Dollar Tree.    

The pretend pie and pie slices are part of the Holiday Dramatic Play Resource

 

Organize Your Props

Make the dramatic play area easy to use with clear organization. This is so important. Having a place for everything teaches young learners where things go. Label bins and containers with pictures and words. This will also allow them to take in language through play.    

Pie “crust”                                                     Pie ingredients

     

Incorporate Visual Prompts and Literacy

Help children deepen their engagement with visual aids and reading materials. This play set includes printable signs, menus ingredient tags, recipe tags and order forms.     The Holiday Bakery Dramatic Play set also includes “How to charts”, cut and paste worksheets and coloring sheets. Your young learners will be immersed in literacy as they play in this bakery!     Unlike other Bakery Dramatic Play Sets, this resource includes three holiday sets in one. There are separate materials for a Thanksgiving bakery, Hanukkah bakery AND Christmas bakery! It’s so easy to prepare. Just print, laminate, cut and you are set.           Ready to get your dramatic play areas ready for the holidays? Your students will have hours and hours of fun all through the holiday season with this play set! I’ve done all the work for you. Grab the 3-holidayBakery Dramatic Play Set here.    Now it’s time to have fun!   Let me know how it goes, Jeanne   *Disclaimer- this post may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for my recommendations. *