Materials
Un-colored playdough, Christmas cookie cutters, rolling pins, spatula, bowl,
plastic knives, cookie sheets
play oven, optional
tape
wrapping paper
small empty boxes
scissors
small Christmas tree
art supplies for making
ornaments
Instructions
1. Set up three holiday dramatic play centers: one for cookie baking, one for
wrapping gifts, and one for trimming a tree. Keep them up during the holiday
season.
2. In the Cookie Baking Center, put out "cookie dough" (un-colored playdough)
in a bowl with the cooking supplies, baking sheets, and cookie cutters. The
children love baking pretend cookies. Set up this center in the Housekeeping
area, if possible, so they can use the play oven to bake the cookies.
3. In the Wrapping Center, put out wrapping paper, tape, and boxes. Children
love to wrap, so have lots of supplies! Let the children wrap the empty boxes
over and over again. If desired, let them put their wrapped gifts under a tree.
Tip: Ask parents to buy and donate inexpensive wrapping paper.
4. Set up a small tree in the Tree Trimming Center. Encourage the children to
make decorations and then decorate the tree as desired. Provide plenty of
supplies, such as Christmas cards, pipe cleaners, small bells, string or yarn,
and so on.
5. These centers give the children the chance to do these holiday activities any
way they want. How often do they get the opportunity to do these things
during the busy holiday season? These centers give them a chance to get
ready for the season, and all offer great fine motor practice.
