How to Create a Child's Dress-Up Box
By the time that your child reaches the preschool years it's likely that she's well versed in the dramatics of pretend play. According to the child development professionals at PBS Parents, by 4 years old most children enjoy exploring the great wide world through pretend play activities that involve imaginative scenarios and the use of props. Whether your child is playing the role of the local crossing guard, the community firefighter, her school teacher or a costumed character from her favorite book or television show, a dress-up box provides an array of outfit ideas that can boost almost any pretend play activity.
Things You'll Need
- Costumes
- Reused adult clothing items
- Hats
- Plastic bin
- Clear tape
- Scissors
- Child-friendly magazines
Instructions
Gather together old Halloween costumes. Choose a variety of characters such as animals, community helpers and figures from popular movies or television programs. Reuse costumes from past years or add in Halloween outfits from other children to the mix. Ask relatives, friends and neighbors if they have any costumes to donate after trick-or-treat night is over. Select dress-up items that allow your child to explore a specific role. Help him to transform into a doctor, daddy or farmer with the items in his dress-up box. Add everyday adult clothing items to the dress-up box such as your an older sibling's dress, dad's worn suit jacket or your college T-shirt. Include old athletic wear in the dress-up container. Add in a football jersey, basketball shorts, a soccer shirt or a baseball hat for your child to choose. Pick a few different accessories for your child's pretend play, such as a hat or a bunch of bangle bracelets. Hit the discount racks or the dollar stores. Look for low-priced items that you can add to the dress-up box such as pretty flowered frocks or cowboy hats. Fill a plastic storage bin with the dress-up items. Use a clear bin so that your child can see what she is looking for. Keep the lid off when your child is at play, and close it up when she is all done. Decorate the bin with pictures of children in costumes, favorite characters or community helpers and other professionals. Cut out images from magazines and tape to the outside of the box.
