We collected some of the cards from my birthday and also picked up a packet of cheap kiddie ones, and I put them out on the table with a basket of crayons and pens.
She has enjoyed these cards and taken them around with her in her various bags, baskets, buggies and trollies, stuffing crayons into pockets and whipping them out to scribble on here, there and everywhere.
We got out the now battered post-box that we made and she enjoys trying her best to stuff and cram the cards into their envelopes so that she can post and repost them, and then deliver them to some lucky recipients around the house.
What else do we have set out for play? Some party hats for dressing up and role-play. Baby Pop is particularly keen on these. She doesn’t like to be seen without accessories!
Some gorgeous wooden cupcakes from Melissa and Doug that can be doodled on with wipeable markers (I’m in love!) and that have detachable icing and candles. Just perfectly designed for imaginative play for little ones.
We have lots of kitchen toys and real implements for imaginative cake mixing, baking and decorating. Whisks and spatulas, cup cake cases and candles bring a realistic element to the play and introduce opportunities for discussing real baking, recipes and ingredients. And I absolutely LOVE the beautiful set of wooden cakes and biscuits that sit on their very own little doilied cake stand (a very special gift from their late Grandma.) These are wonderful for counting, sorting, ordering and discussing, as well as pretend eating and serving of course!
And I occasionally get out a big helping of the strawberry sparkle play dough that we made back in February so that they can make “real” cakes too, squishing in candles, straws and crayons and blowing them out after singing Happy Birthday To You! over and over again. [On a side note, that play dough is hands down the best ever recipe we have made. It is still as soft and silky as the day we made it, and since I tweaked that recipe to make it my own I am very pleased to pass it on and recommend it! I think it will be going strong for quite a few months yet.]
SO CUTE!
Oh! I’m just finding your blog now! I’m a Montessori Teacher, and (most importantly) Mom. I adore your blog, as an advocate for play and creativity.
I did this last summer, almost the same set up! We practiced opening gifts and saying thank you 🙂 With play, and role-play comes great grace and courtesy lessons.
I adore this!!! even my 5 year old and 10 year old would love this.
Anna, this is just delightful. I really really can’t wait til J starts imaginative play. What fun.
Hope you had a great break 🙂
This is brilliant idea!! I love it. Great blog too.
This is such a Great idea! C is always wanting to know when her birthday is–especially when it is another friend or family members birthday!
What child wouldn’t want to play in a space like this one?
I play there too when they are not even around Jenny! 😉 proud to still play at 32!
We used some of these ideas today as playing birthdays seems to be a current favourite. I’m too messy to manage a semi-permanent play space-could never keep it under control. Would love tips for not letting it get out of hand.
The whole hearted child talks about having various stations around the house-lovely idea if I could manage them.
So cute and fun too! Love all the pics!
Kerri
Cute little child! I bet, she will be a great artist in the future.