Bears hibernate throughout the winter, as do snakes, gophers and frogs. Create a hibernation dramatic play area by turning an empty refrigerator box into an imaginary den. Stock the dramatic play area with blankets and rugs for children to use when creating their den. Provide several stuffed animals, along with scarves, shirts and fake furs for children to use and wear when pretending to be hibernating animals. Take pictures of children experimenting with the hibernation dramatic play area to share with others.
During the month of December, many areas have snow and colder weather. Create a winter themed clothing dramatic play area by designing a pretend mud room with hooks, hangers and a bench for children to use for layering on clothes before heading out to the pretend cold winter outdoors. Provide children with winter mittens, hats, snow pants, boots and scarves to layer on themselves and others as children imagine they are a family heading outdoors for some winter fun. (Include putting the clothes away as part of the dramatic play.)
Playing in the snow is something many children enjoy doing during the winter months if they live in cold-weather regions. Whether or not your preschoolers have access to real snow, you can create an imaginary winter wonderland by making a snowy dramatic play area. Create fake snow by using stuffing or batting from a local craft store. Purchase several large white foam balls for children to use in creating snowmen, along with plastic snow shovels to shovel up all that snow.
December is a month full of celebrations. Create a dramatic play area ready for any special meal by placing a table and chair in the dramatic play space. Provide kids with festive placemats, plastic plates, silverware, pretend food along with fancy dress-up clothes for children to pretend play having a special holiday meal with friends and family. Take pictures of children enjoying the holiday dramatic play to share with others.