Playing dress up games opens a world of imaginative opportunities for young children. A few simple props can help their imaginations grow in leaps and bounds, and the games can be fun for adults, too. You don’t have to buy expensive outfits for a game of dress up, either. Since it’s all about imagination, homemade alternatives are part of the experience.
You’ll need a plastic headband, foam or paper for the ears, scissors, glue, a stapler and a marker or crayons. Cut a strip of foam to cover the headband. Glue the foam and wait for it to dry. While you are waiting, cut two triangles for ears (if you are making a cat or dog, or other shapes for bunny ears, frog eyes or whatever else your child desires). Color the shapes appropriately for whichever animal you have chosen, then staple the ears to the headband an equal distance from the center.
You and your children can act out scenes from your favorite book. If you’ve got a big hat, for instance, you can play “Cat in the Hat.” A red shirt makes for an easy Pooh Bear. A blanket or towel makes an excellent cape for any superhero of your child’s choosing. Choose a favorite storyline and act it out with your kids, or make up your own as you go along.
Little kids love dressing up in adult clothes, so if you have any older items you don’t mind sharing, your little ones can have hours of fun pretending with the clothes you wear every day. Button-up shirts are easy for them to wear. They’ll also love dresses and skirts. If you let them wear your shoes, just be careful about the heels. Little ones can easily lose their balance and may injure themselves while attempting to walk in heels.
Children aren’t the only ones who like funny costumes and dress up ideas, especially around Halloween. Adults can easily come up with several funny costumes by using wordplay and a few household items. They could wear all white and carry a marker asking for autographs as an autograph book. They could attach sponges to their everyday outfit and walk around as self-absorbed. To go out as Starbucks, cut stars out of yellow paper and attach them to yourself. Then attach several dollar bills as well and carry a coffee mug.
