What’s YOUR best memory of playing dress-up?
My childhood friend had THE BEST set of old clothes from her grandmother: fancy hats, wobbly high heels, dresses, fancy purses, and even sparkly evening gowns. I don’t remember the details of our pretend adventures (thank you, Mommy-brain!!)–but I DO remember two things really clearly. First, I always wore a fluffy flowered hat I called a “bowler hat,” and second, I was wearing it to the Kentucky Derby! It didn’t matter that I had never seen either a horse OR a bowler hat. (Pretend play removes all the obstacles, right???) We were sooooo fancy, and it was SO MUCH fun! That probably cemented my own love affair with costumes and dress-up.
A simple dress-up box stocked with basic pieces is the perfect addition to a playroom for kids ages 2 through 10.
If you have a soon-to-be-two year old toddler, a dress-up box can be the perfect 2nd birthday gift–or even a great party theme: invite guests to bring a single, simple dress-up item for the birthday boy or girl. Perhaps you’ve noticed your kiddo loves pretend play as they’ve gotten older, and you want to encourage some independent dramatic play. Or… maybe you simply want to bond with your little one through some cozy moments of make-believe together.
Simplicity is key to a great dress up set:
Children take naturally to dramatic play, and the best props are those that leave plenty of room for an active imagination. Now, hold up before you go on that shopping spree! Before you buy ALL. THE. COSTUME. THINGS. like firefighter, doctor, or princess costume sets, there’s something you want to consider about how children learn and grow. Go ahead: include one or two fancy costumes featuring their favorite characters from books or other media. Along with the fancy stuff, however, include items that will open them to a broader range of play. It’s a great idea to fill the rest of that dress-up box with more generic items that– with a little imagination– will fill a wider variety of roles. Stock it with simple things and just watch the magic happen as their imaginations take over! You can always get the ball rolling by doing something silly: put a hat on your foot (or some other ridiculous location) and see what your kiddos have to say.
The imagination of a creative child transforms a basic hat into wondrous things: it becomes a crown, an all-star ballplayer’s cap, a fire hat, a train conductor’s cap, or even a cooking pot for a pretend chef! Your child’s imagination really WILL fill in the details—and their playtime will be all the richer for it!
Keep it Simple… But Have Some Fun, Too!
Although the world is popping at the seams with fancy, complex costumes, slow down and take a breath first. Think of it as building a capsule wardrobe for a child: these basic items are the starting foundation to mix and match for future fun. That doesn’t mean you can’t add some fun, fancy costume wear–a few more detailed, special costume items can add to the fun! My daughter’s favorite, for instance, is a small faux-fur shoulder wrap with fancy sequin trim and a silky satin lining. A friend with teenagers gave us this awesome hand-me-down, and it was THE coveted item when friends came to play. Having several special items can also help if multiple children are sharing the dress-up box.
Over the years, your collection will grow, as Halloween costumes, dance recital costumes, and other bling join the dress-up box. Just be sure to include some plainer basics at first to open the door to a wider variety of adventures!
I hope this has given you some ideas for how to start your own first dress-up set for your children! I’ve made a downloadable free list of specific items and suggestions to help get you started. Click here to get your copy.
Hi! I’m Jane, owner of The Rowdy Ladybug. I design and produce costumes and playthings for kids. Since I’m a parent like you, I know children’s products need to be FUN, washable, durable, safe, and comfortable. Everything I make is designed to exercise a child’s imagination while getting in their way as little as possible. To that purpose, I don’t use commercial characters or others’ copyrighted designs. I do what I can to keep my business as green and as local as possible.
I live in Washington, PA USA, with my husband and daughter. They tolerate my piles of fabric and occasional excited babbling when I create something new. We are supervised by two cats, who do a better job of holding down the furniture than keeping me out of trouble.
If you have questions about my shop, my blog, or my creative process, I’d love to hear from you!
