Pretend Play Workshop for Kids : A Year of DIY Craft Projects and Open-Ended Screen-Free Learning for Kids Ages 3-7

Pretend Play Workshop for Kids offers a year of screen-free dramatic play scenarios for adults to set up and kids to engage with, featuring open-ended making and learning.

Discover simple ways to create rich, imaginative play experiences for your child using things you already have on hand.

What makes childhood feel magical? One simple word: PLAY! Play is crucial for children—it is fun, allows them to work through complex ideas and emotions, leads to a sense of mastery, and is also a key way kids learn. Regrettably, the technology and busyness of our modern lives leave little room for this fundamental and important part of childhood. Pretend Play Workshop for Kids offers a remedy with hours of dramatic play scenarios paired with simple crafts and fun activities—a rich resource for easy, ready-to-go alternatives to screentime.

Along the way, you will learn the benefits of these experiences, including the social and emotional learning taking place, the fine and gross motor practice, the language development, the mathematical thinking, and the scientific thinking. This allows you to set the scene for your little one, but also tailor it to their strengths and opportunities for growth. 

Each chapter focuses on a different imaginative play setup, including:
 

• Detective Office
• Post Office
• Spaceship
• Coffee Shop
• Art Museum
• Laundromat 
• Ice Cream Shop
• Doctor’s Office
• Hair Salon
• Car Wash 
• Train Station
• Toy Store

Within each chapter, find ideas for how to set the scene, instructions for crafting props, and activities that you can set up for your child. You’ll also discover time-saving tips, ways to extend the play, how to adapt activities for different age groups, and how engaging in the play and activities benefits your child.

Pretend Play Workshop for Kids will inspire you and deepen your understanding so that you can support your child in their play for years to come.