Pretend Play Workshop for Kids

Caitlin Kruse has been a content creator working in various roles in the industry for the last decade. Prior to co-founding Magic Playbook, Caitlin focused on her website The Mama Notes where she shares activity ideas for kids. She previously served as the Editorial and Partnerships Director for lifestyle website, Glitter Guide, where she led a team of contributors, produced photo shoots and worked with notable brand partners. Caitlin holds a  bachelor’s degree in Apparel Merchandising and a Minor in Business from East Carolina University. Caitlin is based in Annapolis, Maryland, where she resides with her husband and three daughters. You can find Caitlin online at @TheMamaNotes. Mandy Roberson is the Co-Founder of Magic Playbook, a brand inspiring parents of young children to bring the magic back to childhood through their line of pretend-play products and their monthly digital activity subscription. Her work has been featured by Parents Magazine, Good Housekeeping, Buzzfeed, Daily Mom, and more. When she isn’t coming up with ideas for kids’ activities on Magic Playbook, she can be found helping thousands of parents with young children discover easy ways to bring family traditions and fun into their homes over on her personal account @MommaSociety. Mandy calls Greenville, South Carolina, home, where she lives with her husband, JD, and her three children, Brody, Isla, and Luca. Emma Johnson is an early childhood educator with a master’s degree in early childhood education from Portland State University. She has taught a variety of ages, from three-year-olds to kindergartners for ten years and has a passion for facilitating imaginative play. Emma is currently taking a break from the classroom so she can stay home with her young daughter and take on the role as the Early Childhood Expert at Magic Playbook. With the creation of monthly kids activities for Magic Playbook, Emma is able to share her years of teaching experience by helping to create the foundations of early learning for thousands of families across the globe. One of the most rewarding aspects of her job is seeing how parents and caregivers take the ideas from Magic Playbook and make them their own, she loves how a simple starting framework can evolve in so many different ways. She hopes this book inspires you and your little ones to have fun playing!

Introduction
How to Use This Book
What Is Pretend Play and Why Is It Important?
Supplies
1 Detective Office
Tools for Play
Setting the Scene
Make Your Own Pretend Briefcase and Badge
Fingerprinting Activity
Take a Scavenger Hunt
Create Invisible Ink Messages
2 Post Office
Tools for Play
Setting the Scene
Create a Mail Carrier and Mailbox
Letter-Sorting Activity
Fine Motor Stamps and Stickers
Make Your Own Postcard
Packing Peanut Creations
3 Spaceship
Tools for Play
Setting the Scene
Make Your Own Command Center
Create a Foil-Stamped Moon
Decorate Moon Rocks
Have Fun with Galaxy Oobleck
4 Coffee Shop
Tools for Play
Setting the Scene
Make Pretend Coffee Shop Treats
Design Your Own Coffee Bags
Pom-Pom Coffee Play
Sensory Jar Smell Experience
5 Art Museum
Tools for Play
Setting the Scene
Curate a Collection and Create Your Own Frames
Sculpt an Artifact Craft
Create Monochromatic Artwork
6 Laundry Time
Tools for Play
Setting the Scene
Make a Pretend Iron
Soapsuds Sensory Bin
Laundry Color Sort
Practice Laundry Folding
Clothespin Matching Activity
7 Ice Cream Shop
Tools for Play
Setting the Scene
Make Your Own Ice Cream
Make an Ice Cream Shop Hat
Ice Cream Sorting Activity
8 Doctor’s Office
Tools For Play
Setting the Scene
Make Your Own Doctor’s Coat and Badge
X-Ray Craft
Pom-Pom Prescription Sorting Activity
Fine Motor Bandage Activity
Make a Pretend Cast
Weight and Measuring Activity
9 Hair Salon
Tools For Play
Setting the Scene
Pretend Hair Dryer and Razor Craft
Have Fun with Yarn Haircuts
Build a Hair Tie Tower
Shaving Cream Play
PRETEND PLAY
10 Car Wash
Tools for Play
Setting the Scene
Make a Pretend Car with a Cardboard Box
Build a Pay Station
Make a Car Wash Hose
Sponge Squeezing Transfer Activity
Toy Car Wash Sensory Bin
11 Train Station
Tools for Play
Setting the Scene
Build a Train Map Route
Make Your Own Luggage Tags
Practice Punching Tickets
Make Train Whistles
Gross Motor Train Track Activity
12 Toy Store
Tools for Play
Setting the Scene
Receipt Writing Activity
Make a Shopping Basket
Set Up a Gift-Wrapping Station
Opening and Closing Time Activity
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Index