The Imagination Tree

Creative play and learning for kids

Post Box Pretend Play

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Cakie has recently become fascinated with the way that the letters seem to magically plop through the door every morning and now wants to do “posting” all of the time. She asks me to open the front door so that she can go out on to the doorstep and push things through the letterbox (think pebbles, plastic tat, scrunched paper) then she rushes around to see where it has fallen in the hall. Cue much wonder, amazement and hilarity. Just about everything is hilarious at the moment- how wonderful it must be to be 2!

After she had a go at posting some real cards in a real post box the other day, the focus has now shifted to these so I decided to make her one for role play at home.
 
I found a small cardboard box, taped it closed and cut out a small rectangular window from the front and a larger, pull down flap at the back. I painted it with two coats of red ready-mix paint and then put a band of black around the bottom and some wording at the top. It’s not going to win an art competition but it’s fit for its purpose as a play item!

I dug out an odd assortment of envelopes and addressed them to various members of the family (don’t worry, we don’t really live at 3 Big Street, I’m not giving away our location!) I stuffed them with folded bits of paper and card with little messages on, just so there is something to “read” inside. It’s always good to surround young children with real text for a real purpose so that they understand the uses for writing at  an early age.

She absolutely loved it and had a fabulous time being Post Lady, posting and collecting, sorting and shuffling, arranging and delivering to her heart’s content.

She particularly enjoyed opening each envelope to see what was inside. Apparently everything was “wonderful!”, yes, even those pesky bills!
 
Fold the letters back up, stuff them back into their envelopes and post, post, post!
 
Then she asked to make some more letters, so she chose some coloured paper to put into envelopes for her favourite buddies and even had a go at some mark-making to address the envelopes herself.

And yes, pebbles and half eaten pears have also been posted, just as I expected!

This activity is good for:
* Creative Development
* Imaginative Development
* Role Play

* Fine and Gross Motor Skills
* Early Literacy Development
* Knowledge and Understanding of the World

Comments

  3. EmilyM says

    Very cute idea. My son has recently become very interested in mail, mail boxes, mail trucks and the mail man. LOL This would a be a perfect activity for him.

  10. Annmarie says

    Hi Anna, I’m loving this site and I thought you might like this fun and totally edible activity.
    Peanut Butter Play dough.
    I’ve made it with my girls and they love it as an after lunch treat/playtime.
    I use maple syrup instead of honey as it’s looser and tastier.
    Enjoy.
    Ingredients
    3 1/2 cups peanut butter
    4 cups icing sugar
    3 1/2 cups honey
    4 cups dry milk powder
    Directions
    1. In large bowl, cream together peanut butter and icing sugar, then beat in honey and fold in milk powder. Divide into 15 equal portions and refrigerate or freeze until ready to use.
    Annmarie Sapsford