Restaurant Dramatic Play Activity

Play is so important in the life of a child. Kids are never “just” playing. (Adding “just” to it makes me cringe actually!) They are learning how the world works, developing social skills, and so much more through playful activities and interactions. This Restaurant Dramatic Play Activity provides practice with reading, math, social interactions, and more. Plus, it contains a good dose of fun too!

*Pair with our Write It! Restaurant Writing Center Activities!

Restaurant Dramatic Play Activity

For this playful activity, I used many supplies I already had in my classroom, such as our play kitchen (that I picked up at a garage sale- score!) and our play food and toy dishes.

However, all you really need are the printables and some imagination!

Setting up the “Restaurant”

To set up this dramatic play area – first, print out the restaurant signs and menus (download below). I laminate them for durability and repeated use throughout the year.

We use tape to hang our “OPEN” sign in the classroom. This lets the other kids know that the restaurant is open for business, and they can come in and dine!

Once my kiddos are seated, they are given a menu and can decide if they want breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert.

The menus print out individually, but I like to staple them into a book like the menus you peruse at many restaurants. You could also set out only dinner menus or only dessert, etc. if you prefer.

Playing “Restaurant”

To play, we choose one person to be the waiter (or more, depending on how many kids are playing) and take the orders.

I provide scratch paper, a notepad, or I use the “ticket” included in the download to encourage “the waiter” to write down the orders. My students are just learning to read and write and I love the practice this gives them with printing!

RELATED RESOURCE: Write It! Bakery Writing Center Activities

Next, our “chef” cooks the food and a lovely meal is served!

In the classroom, we have a whole collection of play food and dishes that we use, however, you can use real dishes from home, paper plates, or even “imaginary food” too. It’s the playful thought that counts!

We also like to use plain white paper as placemats but you could even have your kids decorate them.

When it is time to stop playing, we put up the “CLOSED” sign. This sign has a red dot, which helps my students (who aren’t yet reading) know that the restaurant is not open anymore.

This Restaurant Dramatic Play Activity is so versatile and so fun. Your students are sure to love it!

Grab Your FREE Copy

Ready to start playing? Get your free signs, menus, and tickets by clicking the large, yellow download button at the end of the post!

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Alex

Founder at The Kindergarten Connection

Alex is a Transitional Kindergarten teacher with a passion for making learning fun and engaging. She's earned a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education, and Masters Degrees in Special Education and Curriculum Design. Alex is a former night owl turned early bird and playful learning enthusiast. Alex lives with her husband and their beloved and high-energy cat, Fitz.

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