Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Quiet play · The activity desk
Picture-menu bakery
Draw a bakery menu and take turns serving imaginary treats.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
Paper, large child-appropriate crayons, and a clean empty box.
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: An adult checks the box for staples and sharp edges and places it on a stable table as a counter.
Adult's role: Stay beside the child and take turns as baker or customer if invited.
Let's make it happen
- Draw two or three pretend baked treats on the paper to make a menu.
- One person points to a choice; the other pretends to prepare and serve it at the box counter.
- Swap roles and add another picture to the menu if you like.
Make it simpler: Draw one pretend treat and point to it together.
Clean up: Put away crayons and save or recycle the menu and box.
The treats are pretend. Do not put paper or craft supplies in mouths.