Early Years Role Play Equipment
A key aspect of children’s early years development is taking part in role playing games by using different toys. Usually these activities will be designed to mimic real life experiences in a pretend environment.
We supply a wide range of Early Years role play equipment for use with many different activities. Some of the products that we supply for these games include mud kitchens, timber shops, castles, boats and train sets.
Kids can let their imaginations run wild with these exciting outdoor features in EYFS groups, nurseries and schools.
Our product selection includes a varied choice of different features for children of all ages. To speak with one of our School Playground Equipment specialists about the costs for each of these products, simply complete the contact form and we’ll get back to you soon.
Types of EYFS Role Play Equipment
Role play equipment for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) should be carefully selected to support various imaginative scenarios and promote holistic development. Here are some types of role play equipment suitable for early years:
- Dress-Up Clothes: Costumes for various roles (e.g., doctors, firefighters, chefs, animals, superheroes). Hats, scarves, and accessories.
- Home Corner Equipment: Play kitchen sets with utensils, pots, and pans. Toy food items and grocery baskets. Miniature household items (e.g., brooms, mops, dishes).
- Construction Play Equipment: Building blocks in different shapes and sizes. Toy tools, hard hats, and safety vests. Construction vehicles (e.g., trucks, diggers).
- Puppet Theatre and Puppets: Puppet theatre or stage. Hand puppets and finger puppets.
- Medical Kit: Toy stethoscopes, thermometers, bandages, and medical bags. Play doctor and nurse uniforms.
- Supermarket or Store Equipment: Toy cash registers with play money. Shopping baskets and carts. Play food items and shelves.
- Animal and Nature Props: Stuffed animals. Safari hats and explorer vests. Artificial plants and trees.
- Fire Station Equipment: Toy fire trucks, helmets, and hoses. Firefighter costumes and uniforms. Imaginary fire extinguishers.
- Transportation Props: Toy cars, trucks, and buses. Traffic signs and cones. Play train sets or airport playsets.
- Post Office Kit: Toy mailboxes and envelopes. Stamps, stickers, and play postal scales. Pretend letters and packages.
- Space Adventure Props: Cardboard spaceships or rocket ships. Astronaut helmets and suits. Glow-in-the-dark stars and planets.
- Dollhouse and Dolls: Miniature furniture and household items. Dolls representing different family members or characters.
- Outdoor Play Equipment: Play gardening tools and pots. Picnic sets and outdoor cooking equipment. Toy lawnmowers or wheelbarrows.
- Music and Performance Equipment: Musical instruments (e.g., tambourines, shakers). Microphones and karaoke machines for a performance area.
- Camping Gear: Play tents and sleeping bags. Toy campfire and cooking equipment. Adventure hats and binoculars.
Costs of Early Years Role Play Equipment
The average cost of EYFS role play equipment is £5,700 - £7,700.
The costs of early years role-play equipment can vary widely depending on factors such as the type of equipment, quality, brand, and where it's purchased.
Benefits of Early Years Foundation Stage Role Play Equipment
Early years foundation stage role-play equipment offers numerous benefits for children's development across various domains. Here are some of the key advantages:
Social and Emotional Development:
- Cooperation: Role play encourages children to interact and cooperate with each other, fostering social skills and teamwork.
- Empathy: Taking on different roles allows children to understand and empathise with others' feelings and perspectives.
Communication Skills:
- Language Development: Engaging in role play promotes language skills as children use words, phrases, and expressions relevant to the roles they are playing.
- Listening Skills: Children develop active listening skills as they respond to others' cues and engage in dialogues during role play.
Cognitive Development:
- Problem-Solving: Role-playing scenarios often involve solving imaginary problems, encouraging children to think critically and develop problem-solving skills.
- Imagination and Creativity: Imaginative play stimulates creativity and allows children to explore different scenarios, expanding their imaginative capacities.
Physical Development:
- Fine and Gross Motor Skills: Manipulating props, dressing up, and engaging in various role-play activities contribute to the development of both fine and gross motor skills.
Understanding of the World:
- Real-World Connection: Role play allows children to mimic and make sense of real-world situations, aiding in their understanding of different roles and responsibilities.
- Cultural Awareness: Exposure to various role-play scenarios can introduce children to different cultures and professions, promoting cultural awareness.
Math and Literacy Skills:
- Early Numeracy: Certain role-play scenarios may involve counting, sorting, and basic numeracy concepts, supporting early math skills.
- Early Literacy: Storytelling during role play enhances narrative skills and introduces children to literacy concepts.
Confidence Building:
- Risk-Taking: Role play provides a safe environment for children to take risks, try out new ideas, and build confidence in expressing themselves.
- Positive Self-Image: Successfully taking on different roles and accomplishing tasks in role play contributes to a positive self-image and self-esteem.
Personal, Social, and Emotional Development:
- Self-Expression: Role play provides a platform for children to express themselves freely and creatively.
- Self-Regulation: Children learn to manage their emotions and behaviour within the context of different roles, promoting self-regulation.
Interest and Engagement:
- Motivation to Learn: Role play captures children's interest and engages them in learning activities, making the educational experience enjoyable and meaningful.
Transferable Skills:
- Life Skills: Children may learn practical life skills through role play, such as setting a table, grocery shopping, or caring for a "patient" in a doctor's office.
Diversity and Inclusion:
- Celebration of Differences: Role play can be used to introduce children to diverse characters, professions, and experiences, promoting inclusivity and respect for differences.
In summary, early years role-play equipment is a valuable tool for educators and caregivers to facilitate holistic development in children. It provides a rich and engaging learning environment that supports the development of social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills in a fun and interactive way.
Role Play Resources
During nursery and school, there are many benefits that character play activities can have for children’s learning. Kids are able to act out different scenarios, dress up as characters and use pretend equipment.
All of these things can help a child to learn communication, social skills and how to share with others, as well as getting to know the world around them. We offer a range of unique Early Years role play resources which can be adapted to suit what you need.
If you've got a specific budget in mind we can create a design and suggest certain products which will fit within your price range. We even offer sets of equipment which the kids can use for building and setting up their own outdoor playhouses which they can then use for loads of games.
If you want to receive more information about how role play equipment can be beneficial to children and their education then please fill in the enquiry form. Our expert team can help you with anything you may need and answer your questions.
National Curriculum Role Play Toys
As part of the National Curriculum, role playing activities allow children to use real world scenarios in imaginative games and learning. This is why it’s important for pupils to take part in these exercises during lessons and play times.
You can choose from a number of options including wheeled market stalls, pirate ships, bridges, tipis and story time seating areas.
Activities like this can promote children's understanding of the world by using pretend shops and kitchens. This gives kids an insight into adult life and teaches communication skills, for example if they are playing as a shopkeeper serving customers.
There are endless possibilities when using these different early years toys and sets. Kids are able to decide how they use each item and talk with other to decide who plays which character.
Please contact our specialist team today for more details on prices and specifications for the creative equipment we have available.
Children’s Den Building Kit
Allowing kids to be creative helps them to learn both physical and cognitive skills, particularly when building something that they can then play with.
We offer a number of den building kits in different sizes and designs for schools and nurseries. These come with parts like building blocks, interlocking tiles, pegs and sheets which can be put together to build imaginative tents and houses.
When making dens, children need to work together and this develops skills in teamwork and friendship which are very important. This equipment can help to improve communication on the playground and help kids to work together and socialise.
OFSTED usually recommend these activities for play times and lessons due to the man benefits they offer for physical and mental development.
School Performance Props
As well as the den making equipment, other things can be supplied for use in drama and acting performances. These include things like multipurpose stages and props which could be used in conjunction with the other items.
One of the most popular toy sets for imaginative games is a mud kitchen with potion pot sets. This includes a table, bowls and spoons for collecting water, mud and leaves to use in fun pretend kitchen games.
These activities are perfect for nursery and primary school aged children as they can participate in make believe games to mimic real life.
FAQs
What are Examples of Role Play in Early Years?
Role play is a valuable activity for early years education as it promotes social and cognitive development, language skills, and creativity. Here are some examples of role-play scenarios for young children:
- Home Corner or Kitchen Play: Children can pretend to be parents, siblings, or friends and engage in activities such as cooking, cleaning, or setting the table. They can use play kitchen sets, pretend food, and household items to simulate everyday tasks.
- Hospital or Doctor's Office: Set up a hospital or doctor's office with toy medical kits, bandages, and stuffed animals as patients. Children can take turns being the doctor, nurse, or patient, fostering empathy and understanding of basic health practices.
- Construction Site: Provide toy tools, hard hats, and building blocks for children to engage in construction play. This encourages teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity as they build structures together.
- Supermarket or Store: Create a mini-market with pretend money, shopping baskets, and various play food items. Children can take on roles as shoppers, cashiers, or storekeepers, promoting social interaction and basic math skills.
- Animal Safari: Set up a pretend jungle or savannah with stuffed animals. Children can take on the roles of explorers, zoologists, or safari guides, fostering an interest in wildlife and imaginative play.
- Fire Station: Create a fire station with toy fire trucks, hats, water pump and hoses. Children can take turns being firefighters, driving the truck, and rescuing "people" or "animals" in need.
- Dress-Up Corner: Provide a variety of costumes, hats, and accessories for imaginative dress-up play. Children can pretend to be characters like pirates, princesses, superheroes, or community workers.
- Space Adventure: Create a space-themed area with cardboard spaceships, helmets, and planets. Children can pretend to be astronauts, explore outer space, and encounter alien creatures.
- Puppet Theatre: Set up a puppet theatre with puppets and a backdrop. Children can create and perform their own puppet shows, enhancing storytelling and communication skills.
- Post Office: Create a mini post office with envelopes, stamps, and a mailbox. Children can take on roles as mail carriers, sorting and delivering mail to different addresses.
These role-play scenarios not only entertain but also contribute to the holistic development of young children by encouraging creativity, cooperation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Why is Role Play Good for EYFS?
Role play is highly beneficial for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) for several reasons. The EYFS is a framework used in early education settings in the United Kingdom to ensure that children receive a well-rounded and developmentally appropriate education. Here's why role play is considered advantageous within the context of the EYFS:
- Social Development
- Communication Skills
- Language Development
- Cognitive Development
- Problem-Solving
- Physical Development
- Fine and Gross Motor Skills
- Personal, Social, and Emotional Development
- Self-Expression
- Self-Regulation
- Understanding of the World
- Literacy and Numeracy Skills
- Confidence Building
How can you Encourage Role Play in Early Years?
Encouraging role play in early years involves creating a supportive environment, providing appropriate resources, and fostering a positive attitude toward imaginative play. Here are some strategies to promote and encourage role play in early years:
- Create a Playful Environment
- Provide Open-Ended Materials
- Rotate Themes and Props
- Model and Demonstrate
- Encourage Collaboration
- Celebrate and Acknowledge
- Integrate Learning Goals
- Respect Individual Choices
- Incorporate Real-World Experiences
- Flexible Spaces
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Get in Touch!
To talk more about the Early Years Role Play Equipment or if you would like to chat with one of our experts about the specifications and costs for den building kits, then please get in touch.
All you have to do is contact us through the quick form on this page and we can discuss which of our products you are interested in for your school or EYFS group. Or if you simply have any questions that you want answering, our expert team are happy to help with all your queries.
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