Beach dramatic play : The cutest way to transform your Dollhouse
This blog post is all about setting up a beach dramatic play center but with a twist! We are going to use a dollhouse for a dramatic play set up. Sometimes mini play is just so much more fun, and this dollhouse turned Surf Shop is a favorite of mine.
So why would we even want to set up dramatic play for kids anyways? Well, think of dramatic play centers like little worlds for your kids to dive into. You know, those play kitchens, doctor’s offices, or even pretend markets? They’re not just for fun—they’re actually tools that help your child’s imagination takes flight. When kids play they learn important stuff like how to share, solve problems, and even communicate better.
I love setting up these mini centers alongside my daughter because the stories we come up with together are pure gold. So let’s dive in shall we?
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Setting the scene: Imagining your Beach Dramatic play set up
You may be wondering why I decided on this Surf Shop, beach theme. Well, besides being super cute and unique, there is a legit reason. Awhile back our family went to Florida and of course, we stopped at several beaches. My daughter was in love and when we got back home, she wanted to play out our trip over and over. I felt that her wanting to make sense of and remember our trip was important to her at the time and so I came up with another fun way for us to play it out together.
Remember: When kids role-play, they’re not just playing make-believe; they’re figuring out how things work in the real world. Like, when they play house, they’re learning about responsibilities and relationships. And when they recreate memories, it’s like they’re putting pieces of their experiences together, making sense of everything. So, even though it might look like just playing, it’s actually a super important part of how they learn and grow.
Gathering Materials: what you’ll need for your mini dramatic play center
Here is everything I used in this Surf Shop set up. You certainly do not have to use everything you see, nor do you have to even use a dollhouse. I have used cardboard boxes for dramatic play centers as well. This time around though, I had the perfect thrifted dollhouse and it just made sense for this project.
Dollhouse
I used a thrifted Melissa & Doug barn home that I painted and gave a makeover to. Like I said though a cardboard box makes a great dollhouse and especially one that will be used for a themed dramatic play set.
Beach dramatic play free printables
I used a combination of printable’s for this project.
You can find the majority of the mini summer prints by heading to Thread mama, I have a subscription to her prints and it is the worth every single penny.
**I don’t receive anything from sharing this shop, it is just a wonderful website and I wanted to share all of these adorable printable’s with you.
Check out Thread Mama Prints here!
I created my own printable for this project as well and you can download it below. Once again, these printable’s and DIY props are 100% optional but I feel like they add so much to the scene and really bring it to life.
Get FREE Beach dramatic play printable’s here
Mini Dolls
Of course our favorite mini dolls are the Bitsy World animal dolls, but you can use any mini doll or even peg dolls for your mini center!
Check out Bitsy World Mini Dolls here!
Beach dramatic play props
I used a bunch of beach props I had DIY’d in the past. Here are a few reels that show how to create each one.
Designing the layout: Planning your dollhouse surf shop
I let my daughter take charge of all of make-believe set ups. I lay out the props and I let her use her creativity to do the rest. She comes up with the most awesome play scenarios and stories and she really leads the way. I just play alongside her really.
An inviting creative play layout
Here are some of my best tips on creating an inviting call to play:
Include Realistic Props: Incorporate authentic-looking props and toys that resemble items found in real-life settings. This adds authenticity to the play experience and encourages imaginative role-playing.
Provide Cozy Seating: Provide comfortable seating options, such as cushions or small chairs, where children can sit and immerse themselves in play comfortably.
Allow Interactive Elements: Include interactive elements like buttons, knobs, and levers that children can manipulate to simulate real-life actions, enhancing the sensory experience..
Set out open-ended Materials: Integrate open-ended materials like blocks, fabric scraps, and cardboard boxes that encourage children to use their imagination and build their own props or structures within the play space.
Printed Labels and Signs: Use printed labels and signs to identify different areas or items within the dramatic play center, helping children associate words with objects and fostering early literacy skills.
Personalization: Allow children to contribute their ideas and preferences to the dramatic play center by inviting them to decorate or add elements that reflect their interests, making the space feel more personalized and inviting to them.
Surf Shop set-up and Play!
Now Let’s get to the fun stuff! Gather all your props, find the perfect spot and let’s get ready to play in our beach dramatic play center! Using the tips above, have fun with this and enjoy the process. The stories and scenarios that your little one comes up with will be magical and the memories will be priceless.
There you have it! The perfect dramatic play center for the upcoming summer months. I hope this inspired you to create your own mini beach dramatic play center.
