
Materials Needed:
This center is easily adaptable for most dramatic play centers with a few additions!
- Child-sized chairs
- Maps
- A large box
- A roll (or two) of Duct Tape
- Old phones, computers, or any other fun looking defunct technology
- 2-3 small tables and counters for different areas.
- A counter or sturdy furniture like the Create-It-Station by Constructive Playthings.
Check out this Resource from my Shop!

Airport Dramatic Play Center
$5.00This Airport Dramatic Play Center will have your young children packing their bags to fly in a big airplane. They will use their imaginations to become a pilot, a travel agent, a flight attendant, and more. All Aboard Play Air Flight 123! This is the perfect center to use during a Transportation Unit.
Taking It Up to New Heights!

To really invest in making a jaw-dropping dramatic play space, consider adding the following:
- PVC pipe frame security checkpoint
- Pilot control panel
- Control “Tower” complete with safety vests and cardboard signal wands)
- Baggage area
- Flight Attendant station/cart
Introducing the Airport Dramatic Play Center
Introduce the center by taking a poll to see how many students have flown on an airplane. Discuss what is needed to pack to go on a trip, and where the students would like to go. Using a pocket chart helps give the children good practice graphing information, and they can easily see if more friends have gone on an airplane or not!

A great way to use environmental print and avoid arguments is to use a nametag station. Here, every role in the center is assigned a nametag, and students select which they would like to use. The nametags help students both by supplying them with names and pictures of the important people in an airport and helping them identify who has which part to play.

At times, certain roles are more popular than others, and having a “waiting list” helps students take turns more patiently. It also sneaks in a little extra name-writing practice!
Planning the Adventure
Before passengers can get on the plane, they need to stop at the reservations desk to purchase a ticket. The computer monitor, keyboard, and telephone make this area have a waiting list all morning long! Pretending to do “grown-up” things like working at a computer and using a phone are always very attractive to young children. They love to emulate the adults in their lives!

Security Please!
Every airport has a metal detector checkpoint. It is easy to create very economically by using PVC pipe and connectors. Adding a few police costumes encourages students to take on this role.

Traveling with Baggage


Ready for Take-Off!

The ground crew is in charge of directing the plane on the tarmac. The crew member wears an orange vest, soundproof headphones, and goggles. Homemade wands created from a big wrapping paper tube and two colors of duct tape are great for guiding the plane.

At Play to Learn Preschool, there is a fantastic control panel created by a lovely volunteer. Constructed from particleboard, with dials made from stickers, buttons from an old telephone, breaker switches and buttons from the hardware store, and an intercom system made from an old hairdryer, it is always a favorite! However, more simple controls, even just a steering wheel and a calculator can suffice with a little imagination.
Have a Nice Flight!

Adding Supporting Materials
While the dramatic play area is exciting, adding supporting materials at other centers will help reinforce the vocabulary, provide students with more ways to explore the idea, and give children a way to practice the concept of an airport in several different settings.

Adding airplane themed books to the reading center is a fantastic way to build on the topic. A word wall added to the literacy center helps reinforce the vocabulary. Airplane toys added to the block center, and a sensory table with cloud dough are excellent additions as well.

Check out this Resource from my Shop!

Transportation Preschool Unit
$10.00Preschool and Pre-K students will learn all about TRANSPORTATION and “Things that Go” in this Transportation Preschool Unit that is just right for 3-6-year-olds! This complete unit includes detailed lesson plans for each day, as well as additional center activities. Everything is done for you.
- 10 circle time lessons
- 12 math, literacy, & fine motor centers
- Book Recommendations
Find additional Dramatic Play inspiration and ideas HERE:

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[…] your playroom into an airport like Play To Learn Preschool did! There is some seriously awesome fun happening there! I love the […]
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[…] Turn your playroom into an airport like Play To Learn Preschool did! There is some seriously awesome fun happening there! I love the […]
What a nice plane dashboard! Looks like fun!
Thanks, Karen! My dad made it, so I love it too!
this is so adorable! Looking at the pics makes me wish I was a kid so that i could experience it. I hope to do this someday for my kids
Thanks Nadia! I know your kids will love it too!
This is so awesome! You really covered every detail!
Thanks! It's one of our very favorite centers.
Do you have an Instagram? I would love to tag you in my picture. I bought your dramatic play from teachers pay teachers
Yes! It’s @playtolearnps
Looking forward to seeing the pictures! Thanks