Play is a child's number one job. There are numerous studies on how children learn through play. It is so important for us to stimulate our children's desire to play that we may be compelled to go out of our way, buying up the toy store and stuffing their rooms with "choices." I have another option. Below you will find a list of ways to enhance your child's play, with items you already have around the house. You will not want to use these all at once, but every now and then, when you have the time, put a kit together and call your children to "work."
Astronaut
You will need a mixing bowl for each child's head, some tinfoil, some books that show astronauts, some cardboard boxes to make a rocket ship, tape, paper, and your imagination. With the children, wrap the bowls in tin foil for helmets, and tape the boxes together. Help them cut a door. Allow children to decorate the boxes with crayons and markers, and get to playing. The books are there in case they need to know what an astronaut does. Allow them to tell stories, play games, and just be creative.
Animals
You will need paper plates, yarn for tails, and some crayons. Allow children to choose what animal they would like to be, make the costume, and pretend. This could go on for some time. They will probably not want to be just one animal for the whole time. Making numerous animals will only enhance the play, so the more the merrier.
Baker
Tape up some empty cake mix boxes, flour bags, etc. Place these with all your mixing bowls and spoons and measuring cups on the table and allow children to play baker.
Bears and Teddies
Purchase a $ Tree bear for each child. Also purchase some felt squares and a small sewing kit. Allow children to create costumes for their bears. This should be a child directed project, they should be the creative ones. You may have to step in periodically to thread needles, etc.
Car Repair
Using a cardboard box, place paper wheels and a steering wheel where they go. Kids can help too. Then lay out some tools and allow children to pretend to fix the cars. If you do not want to use real tools, cut shapes out of poster board. If you make a set for each kid they can decorate them before they use them.
Circus Act
Bring out the face paint and allow children to make their own circus act. It could be anything, they can just imagine away! Provide some balls and hoops if the area is safe.
Doctor
Play doctor kits are usually pretty easy to find. Pull one out, and set out some play animals or dolls. To enhance play buy a box of band aids just for the day and use real ice packs. The more real the play, the more the kids are into it. Ace bandages are popular too.
Dinosaur
Allow children to make their own dinosaur costumes out of paper or paper plates, and then ask them to set up an obstacle course they have to get through. They will most likely do this more than once.
Explorer
Make items such as a knapsack, a compass, a notebook, a map, anything your child thinks an explorer might need. Then set out on your adventure, either on a neighborhood walk, or around the house. When kids are thinking like an explorer even an old and boring place becomes new. Can also be useful if going to a friends house, or an appointment children must be kept busy at.
Fireman
Make your own fire outfit (child directed,) and allow children the use of a rope as a hose. Chairs can become ladders, and paper phones can be made to practice 911 calls. Children can make their own paper fire and put it out to "fight." They can also make stop, drop, and roll posters.
Farm
There are many aspects to farming that you can choose to play with your child. All the stuffed animals in the room could become the farm animals, kids could make chairs and tables into tractors and barns, or you could allow them use of green and colored paper to make their own crops to plant. Encourage them to think about the tools that farmers use and how to portray those tools through pretend play.
Garage Sale
Children can bring all the toys out of their rooms, and use play money to buy them. This is a group activity, so be sure that you are willing to play, or there are other children around also. Allow children to make their own signs, play money, and price tags. When you are done you can choose toys that can go to a real garage sale!
Grocery Store
This is the same general idea as the garage sale, only children use food from your kitchen.
Home Life
Allow children to pretend to sweep the floor, do the laundry, wash the tables and chairs, dust, etc. If children are old enough let them actually do the jobs. They love it! We call it our cleaning party, and children are so very careful and conscientious when they think its a "party."
Inventor
Explain what an inventor is, and what they do. Then give children recycling supplies and let them go for it. Once they are done with the inventions, let them design posters and try to sell their product.
Journalist
Children should be equipped with notebooks, pencils, etc. You can show them the newspaper, and other items that contain writing and ask them to come up with stories of their own. They must understand that the stories must be non-fiction, and portrayed in a way that people want to read it. Remember this is pretend. Children will not actually be writing stories, only coming up with them and gaining literary confidence in the process.
King For A Day
Children can make their own crowns, scepters, capes, thrones, etc. Let the sky be the limit and their imagination the guide. After those things are done they can play pretend with them.
Librarian
Children can pretend to be librarian with the books in your house. They can set them up in order however they see fit, and you can show them how to go through the process of checking books out, and returning them. Then they can take turns being the librarian.
Rebecca Weber - Kids are our future!
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