Preschoolers love animals! Sometimes, even the most reluctant child will come out of their shell to interact with a four-legged friend. Create a pet shop dramatic play center to allow young learners to learn about animals, practice social and communication skills, and develop their creativity while having a great time!

Caring for others, even when it is just pretend, is a fantastic way to build empathy in young learners. In this pet shop dramatic play center, students will enjoy:

• selecting and naming a pet
• bathing the pet
• making a leash
• taking the pet on a walk
• purchasing food
• reading stories to the pet
• and so much more

In circle time, introduce the dramatic play center by leading a discussion on the different kinds of pets students have at home.

Do you have any pets at home?

What kid of pet would you like to have?

Questions to spark discussion!

Encourage parents to send in pictures of these pets. For students who don’t have pets, give them some images of animals to choose from and ask them what kind of pet they might like. Students are so interested in pets, the class can revisit the conversation several times and still have more to say.

Pet Shop Dramatic Play: Setup

The sky is the limit with this center! Gather the following items:

• Stuffed toys – dogs and cats, of course, but think outside the box too! No need to break the bank, either. Ask for donations or “loans” from families.
• Plastic Animals – lizards, turtles, snakes, and fish
• Inexpensive terrariums/aquariums (plastic, of course)
• Blue and white floral “gems” for aquatic pets
• Wire baskets (more on that in a moment)
• Treat bags

A Tour of the Pet Shop

Open for Business!

As students enter the pet shop area, they’ll be greeted by a sign that states, “Pet Shop Open!” This is a great way to promote authentic environmental text. Add some realism to the area by providing a cash register for supply purchases, shopping carts and bags, and small supplies available at the register.

Choose a Dramatic Play Role

Name tags help students decide what role they’d like to play. Children can select roles such as customer, cashier, groomer, reader, or volunteer. Providing name tags helps support students who may be unfamiliar with how to interact with different peers during play, even without costumes.

Pet Shop Animals on Display

What’s the best part of a pet shop? The adoption area!

Our preschool pet shop, like the real pet shops in our community, offers space for the local animal shelter to host adoption events. “Adopt! Don’t Shop!”

“Pets” to stock the adoption can be found in many locations. Lizards, snakes, frogs, and turtles are often included in wild animal sets of preschool toys. For fluffier friends such as cats and dogs, scour garage sales, thrift shops, and dollar stores, or ask parents to send in a few stuffed toys to join the fun. Of course, if this is going to become a regular favorite dramatic play area, it also can be an investment.

Small plastic aquariums are fantastic for displaying less-furry friends. They can be found online, or again, garage sales and discount stores to the rescue! Label each area with a heading, such as “reptiles,” “birds,” or “supplies.”

For birds, two simple wire baskets found at a dollar store connect perfectly on one side for a beautiful hinged bird cage, perfectly sized for little learners. Cats and dogs can be displayed in “kennels” made from shelves or baskets.

Leash Station

Every good owner knows the importance of exercise for their pet. Set up a walking station where students can select a collar, and encourage students to make a “leash” from plastic chain-linking manipulatives. Preschoolers can make sure their pets stay hydrated and entertained with a selection of bowls and balls.

Pet Food

Every pet needs to eat a special diet, and no self-respecting pet shop would fail to have supplies for this! Create pet food bags using treat bags in bold, bright colors. Add labels and fill with shredded paper. Make it clear to the students that there’s no need actually to open the bags. However, it’s good to have a few extras just in case. An alternative solution would be to gather empty pet food boxes and containers or get creative with some labels on toy food.

Pet Shop Grooming Station

Many pet shops have in-house grooming facilities for shoppers whose pets might look a little “ruff.” Set up a pet grooming station with washtubs, empty shampoo bottles, washcloths, towels, pet brushes, and the steps to washing a dog. Add accessories like bows, ribbons, and bandanas for the perfect finishing touch.

Extra Pet Shop Services (and some Sneaky Literacy)

This particular pet shop comes with several extra services. First, after selecting a pet, students can register their new best friend, rename them, and get a certificate to make it all official. There’s also a pet daycare onsite, where experienced pet sitters care for the pets. There’s even a sheet similar to most preschools to let owners know what their pet did while the owner was away. Of course, students don’t need to think about all the amazing practice they are getting with early writing and literacy – that’s just a hidden perk!

Pet Shop Reading Center

Set up a cozy corner for the new pet owners or volunteers to snuggle and read to a pet. Even children that are typically reluctant to sit quietly with a book can sometimes be enticed by the opportunity to read to a pet – even a toy one! A quiet space with comfy seating and pet-themed books is a perfect addition to give an island of calm in the hustle and bustle of the rest of the school.

Pet Shop Supplies (with links)

Looking for the items in the pictures? Here are suggested links for the supplies shown. Garage sales, dollar stores, and donations are always great ways to add to the dramatic play center, too.

• Plastic aquariums – small
• Plastic aquariums – medium
• Blue floral stones
• Pet bathing station
• Shopping carts
• Create-It Station
• Wire baskets
• Toy birds
• Plastic fish
• Tortoise
• Lizards
• Treat bags (for pet food)
• Pawprint backdrop