This Donut Shop Dramatic Play center will satisfy even the biggest sweet tooth! It’s perfect for budding preschool chefs-in-training and will keep the students coming back for more. Turning a dramatic play area into something new keeps student interest high and provides amazing learning opportunities. But, it doesn’t have to be difficult – in fact, it’s a piece of cake!
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Donut Shop Dramatic Play
$5.00Set up an adorable DONUT SHOP dramatic play center for young children that incorporates sorting, counting, reading, and writing activities. Use these printables to organize and inspire learning through dramatic play.
With just a few changes, the dramatic play area is transformed into a favorite stop for any preschooler! These additions are simple and store well for the next time donuts are on the menu.
The Importance of Environmental Print
Signs and menus are wonderful props that add realistic literacy elements to the center. Even for pre-reading students, children need to see environmental print. Because of this, words like “Open” and “Closed” are often some of the first words a child can identify in the world around them. The Donut Shop Dramatic Play unit has all of the items already prepared – just print, laminate, and serve!
Menus and order forms provide environmental print and writing skills as well as being a fun prop!
Labeling is an extremely useful tool when it comes to environmental print. Labeling helps:
- Children recognize that letters make words.
- Children recognize that words have meaning.
- Fill the environment with print – the more, the merrier!
- Students develop a sense of responsibility to put items in the right locations.
- Children develop independence to care for the materials they use.
- Turns clean-up time into a valuable learning opportunity.
- Give visual clues to the location of items – making clean up a breeze!
How sweet are these little icing bags? Simply get some treat cones, stuff with colored cotton fluff, and tie shut with a ribbon. And, of course, label the container!
Employee name tags are essential. First, they add to the environmental print – words like “customer,” “cashier” and “baker.” Also, it helps students easily identify who has each role while they play. They are simple to change out and are a good substitute when costumes can’t be used for whatever reason.
Adding some great children’s books about donuts encourages students to revisit their favorite books and draw inspiration from the pages. Display the books in the dramatic play area or in the reading area, whichever fits best.
Donut Shop Drinks Please!
No self-respecting donut shop would be without hot beverages and milk! For this coffee machine, cover a box with silver wrapping paper, add a hot/cold dial and a plastic coffee pot. Some insulated cups or plastic coffee cups for pouring, a teapot, and some “milk” cartons give the customers a good selection of drink choices! Or, combine this center with the Hot Drink Cafe for a delicious pair!
Making Math Delectable with this Donut Shop!
Shallow tubs help display the delicious donuts (found here!), and boxes donated by the local bakery add a touch of realism to the center. A cheery sign up above the display is an easy way to put in even more literary elements.
Sorting is an important pre-math skill. Incorporating it into the Donut Shop dramatic play center gets students practicing sorting without even knowing they are working on their math! Students expand their vocabulary as they learn the terms “dozen” and “half-dozen.” Counting reinforcement comes as learners count out the donuts in the boxes. Money skills get a workout when the “customer” pays at the register. As a bonus, color identification and visual discrimination skills get a workout as well!
Have fun learning and playing with your children today!
More Sweet Ideas
Looking for some more sweet inspiration for the dramatic play center? Check out the Cookie Shop dramatic play here! Or try a frosty sweet treat at the Frosty Queen Ice Cream dramatic play center. Need a more hearty breakfast? Pancakes and waffles make a fun dramatic play area as well!
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All of this sugary sweetness making your teeth hurt? Check out the Dental Health Circle Time Unit here!
The wonderful donut stand rack is the Create-It-Station from Constructive Playthings.
