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
flip flops
fins
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
RESTAURANT
tablecloth
napkins
dishes
tableware
menus (made with food pics) order pads/pencils
sign for restaurant aprons
hats
cash register
play food
trays
VETERINARIAN
stuffed animals
cotton balls
gauze
surgical masks
pamphlets on animals plastic gloves
play money
needleless syringes
exam table
empty medicine bottles pet brushes
white lab coat
pet carriers
stethoscope
magnifying glass
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
toolboxes
measuring devices spigots
plungers
hoses/nozzles
old shirt (with logo on pocket)
hardware store flyers
TOURIST/VACATION
suitcases
"tickets"
maps
Hawaiian shirts "passports"
travelers checks/money postcards
sunglasses
travel magazines
camera
BAKERY
fresh playdough
measuring spoons rolling pins
aprons
oven mitts
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 duffle bag
junkmail
"mailbox"
scale
mailperson hat
stickers
paper punch
cash register
old blue shirt
pens, pencils, paper
FISHING
boat (box)
styrofoam packing "worms" net
tackle box
sinkers/bobbers
fishing hat
pole with string, magnets "fish" with magnets
binoculars
fishing magazines
thermos
camera
CAMPING/FOREST RANGER
canteen
flashlight
"tent"
knapsack
grill
fake campfire
sticks with 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
stepladder
paint color sample wheels
ASTRONAUT
helmet
"airtank"
earphones
globe
"control panel" moonboots
flag
"moonrocks"
"rocketship" star decals
walkie-talkies
"food" in plastic bags
OPTOMETRIST
eye chart
pointer
glasses (frames)
table mirror
white lab coat
glasses cases
wooden spoon (for covering
pictures of eyes
one eye to read chart)
JEWELRY STORE
Old jewelry (check for safety)necklaces, bracelets, rings,
clip-on earrings
cash register
play money
jewelry boxes
small mirrors
"display case"
SHOE STORE
lots of shoes
shoeboxes
cash register
play money
ruler or foot measurer shoe strings
shoe horn
sacks
pictures of shoes
hook w/service numbers shoe polish (empty)
small chairs
full-length mirror
extra shoelaces
order pad
DOCTOR/NURSE
paper nurse's hats surgical masks/booties
stethoscope
cotton balls
bandaids
telephone
scale
white aprons or labcoat small flashlight
hot water bottle
gauze
dolls/doll's beds
syringes (w/out needles) empty medicine bottles
hospital "gown"
medical bag
x-rays
thermometer
RX pad/files
old crutches (small)
rubber gloves
WEDDING
white dresses
veil or lace curtain
bride magazines
wedding "cake"
rings
bowties
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 cape
brushes
hair dryer (with cord cut off)
magazines
play money
curling iron (with 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/toolbox steering wheels
play money
workclothes
"gas" hose
"oil" cans
cash register squeegee/bucket
poster w/prices
tire gauge
car keys
funnel (for oil)
rags
tire pump
auto supply catalog
gas can (new) used/washed or new auto parts
OFFICE WORKER
desk nameplate
old forms/files typewriter
briefcase
memo pad
phones/phone books
paper/pens/pencils calculator
stamps
old computer
stapler
paperclips
junk mail
pen holder
rolodex
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
checkout 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
sponges
squeegees hose
carwash signs play money
SCHOOL
chalkboard/chalk notebooks
pencils/paper
books
backpack
lunchbox
chairs
teacher's "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 circles (green peppers,
mushrooms, sausage, pepperoni, olives)
BANK
play money
deposit slips/checks bankbooks
adding machine/calculator teller window
cash box
rubber stamps/inkpads
coin rolls
paper/pens
ICE CREAM PARLOT
ice cream scoops
paper "cones"
play money/cash register apron and hat
wipe-off board "menu"
Other prop box ideas:
Science Lab
New Baby
Farmer
Carpender
Music Store
Pilot
Magician
empty whipped cream spray cans
empty ice cream tubs
order pads/pencils
Book Store
Clothing Store
Seamstress
Dentist
Pet Shop
Travel Agency
The Zoo
Royalty Play
Rancher
Hat Shop
Repair Shop
Cider Mill
Bear Cave
Dancer
Reporter
Train Conductor
Maid
Telephone Repairman
Library
Picnic
Sporting Goods Store
Fast Food Drive-thru
Birthday Party
Movie Theater
Window washer
The Circus
Weatherman
Photography Studio
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.
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.
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!
About the Author:
Cathy Abraham has worked in the early childhood field for 25 years. She is currently a consultant, curriculum
writer and trainer. Cathy can be reached at childcarediva@aol.com. .