Dress up boxes are a classic favorite. Children have enjoyed dressing up and playing pretend for ages - perhaps even from the beginning of time! It's exciting to be able to dress up and "become" somebody else for a little while. In fact, a good dress up box can keep your little ones entertained for hours!
Putting together a good dress up box is a great investment in your child's creativity and imagination - and it may just give you a nice break as your child plays for hours in his or her own little world of make believe.
Kids Toy Chest
Start with a sturdy container. A cardboard box can work, and can provide its own opportunities for play and pretend. Be prepared for it to eventually fall apart, however. A plastic bin or a wooden trunk may provide a longer life. A wooden trunk or footlocker can, like a cardboard box, present their own opportunities for imaginative play. Your child may pretend to have a treasure chest or be on a long voyage to some faraway adventure!
Next stock the container with "regular" adult clothes. Men's shirts, ladies blouses and skirts, hats, shoes, and other clothing you're done with make wonderful dress up clothing. Children like to dress up in the clothing they see their parents, grandparents, and other loved adults dressing up in. They can pretend to be mommies and daddies, teachers, and other workers
Also consider having a variety of colored cloths, scarves, and other open-ended accessories. Colorful silk squares or cotton squares provide a lot of room for imaginative play. Your children can tie them on as capes, use them as scarves, or an unlimited number of other uses. They can also be used to make "grass" or "water" on the floor for their play.
Most children like to play hospital, police officer, fire fighter, and other "everyday hero" games. You can find themed costumes for these occupations pretty easily at most toy stores, year round. However, one of the best times to get them is right after Halloween when you can find them on sale and a large variety.
Round out your dress up with a couple of fantasy play items - a princess's dress or a fairy skirt and wings, a knight's costume, sword, and shield will go a long way in the imagination of a child. Simple pieces can be used - you do not need to get items that are covered with all the latest and greatest characters for your children to enjoy them. In fact, their imaginative play will be richer and more varied if they're not stuck pretending the same movie over and over again.
As you can see, it's not hard to put together a basic dress up set. You can add onto it little by little, or put together a big box to surprise your little ones for their birthday! However you decide to do it, your child will love playing for hours, and you'll love some peace and quiet while they're having fun!