Are you looking for a simple and playful dramatic play idea that can be used any time of the year?

Let’s plan to create the perfect Snack Shop in your Dramatic Play Center.

Step 1: Choose a Topic

What topic are you working on this month? The great thing about this grocery store dramatic play is that it can be used anytime of year. Or it can be tailored to a theme or topic you are already using in the classroom. It can also be used throughout the year by switching out the seasonal items to purchase.

• Summer Snacks: Ice Cream, Snow Cones, Popsicles 

• Breakfast Snacks: Muffins, Donuts, Cereals

• Spring Snacks: Bunny Crackers, Bunny Tails, Bunny Pasta

• Healthy Snacks: Bananas, Apples, Carrots

Step 2: Give it a Title 

Create a simple title for the dramatic play set up.

Step 3: Gather the Materials

Make a list of all the materials you may need for the snack shop.

Here are a few ideas and inspirations to get you started. 

Recycled snack boxes or containers:

Manipulatives to use a snacks:

• Cheez-its: orange pattern block squares

• Cup of Noodle: yarn, green pom pom balls, orange centimeter cubes 

• Lemonade: yellow pom pom balls

• Pringles: yellow pattern block hexagons 

• Peanut Butter Balls: light brown pom pom balls

Shopping cart or basket

Shopping bags

Play money find a FREE set here

Paper for shopping list 

Snack Shop Dramatic Play Printables download a FREE set here

Step 4: Sort it Out

Once you have a list of the snack shop materials you need, start by gathering all the props and materials you already have on hand. Then sort the rest of your needs into groups.  

• What to make?

• What to buy?

• What to ask for?

• What to skip?

Step 5: Make the Connection

Setting up a valuable dramatic play center can take time. That is why it can be helpful to discover new ways to connect your pretend play with some of the skills or standards you are expected to teach to your early childhood learners.Think about what skills you can teach, review, and practice using some of the props and materials from your dramatic play center.

Here are some simple ideas to use with the snack shop.

Have your little learners go on a letter hunt. Matching and identifying letters they find in the dramatic play center.

During small group lessons, practice counting money using price labels and snack props.

Need more ideas and inspirations? Make sure to subscribe to my email list where I share more ways to make the connection each month. Sign up here!

Step 6: Set it Up

Now that you have all your props and materials for the dramatic play snack shop it is time to set it up. Remember your dramatic play center doesn’t need to be elaborate. Keep it simple. You can add new snacks or change out the snacks after a few days or weeks to keep the center fresh and inviting for your little learners.

Step 7: Play!

Finally it is time to PLAY, PLAY, PLAY! Let your young learners explore, discover, and learn as they play in the new dramatic play snack shop!

Download you FREE Snack Shop Dramatic Play printables to start playing today!

For more ideas and inspirations on ways to set up your Snack Shop check out these posts. 

5 Ways to Create a Print Rich Dramatic Play Center 

How to Create a Dramatic Play Ice Cream Shop is 5 Steps