DRAMATIC PLAY: 
Different ideas, materials, set-up, and activities provide new and engaging activities for children, improve morale for providers, show parents that your program is not stagnant. Consider changing the dramatic play area for the summer.  Remove the kitchen and tool bench and add one or more of the following: 

Beauty salon: Twirly office chair, Hairstyle picture book, barrettes, headbands, hats, spray bottles for that gel look on boy’s faux hawks,  combs, brushes, mirrors. 

Shoe store:  Shoe boxes, children write numbers on shoe boxes, foot measuring tape, print out shoe sizer template from internet and laminate for extended use.  Chairs to sit on.  Parents can donate old children’s shoes and even adult shoes for fun.  Shoe workers need to match up shoes in the same box.  Play cash register and play money. 

Pizza Store:  Donated pizza boxes in different sizes from pizza store, coupons for pizza, pictures with labels of types of pizzas, play cash register and play money. 

Bakery:  Cookies sheets, muffin pans, muffin liners in many colors, whisks, rolling pins, pictures of bakery items, playdough to make the items, price sheets, play cash register and play money. 

Children’s Hospital or Stuffed Animal Hospital:  Crutches, napping cot, bandages, notepads for symptoms, toy stethoscopes, scrubs donated or bought from costume shop, name tags for doctors and nurses.  

Costume shop or Dress up Closet (armoire at garage sale).