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Restaurant Dramatic Play

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Playing is so important in the life of a child. They 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 gives practice with reading, math, social interactions, and contains a good dose of fun too!

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

These free printables will help you set up and prep a fun dramatic play restaurant for kids! This is perfect for home or a Pre-K/Kindergarten classroom!

Restaurant Dramatic Play Activity

For ths 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!!), play food, and more.

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 (at the end of the post). I laminate them for extended use.

These free printables will help you set up and prep a fun dramatic play restaurant for kids! This is perfect for home or a Pre-K/Kindergarten classroom!

We used plain tape to hang our “OPEN” sign. This let other kids know that the restaurant is open for business, and they could come in and dine there!

They would then be seated, given a menu, and could decide if they wanted breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert!

These free printables will help you set up and prep a fun dramatic play restaurant for kids! This is perfect for home or a Pre-K/Kindergarten classroom!

The menus print out individually, but I chose 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 like!

RELATED RESOURCE: Write It! Bakery Writing Center Activities

These free printables will help you set up and prep a fun dramatic play restaurant for kids! This is perfect for home or a Pre-K/Kindergarten classroom!

Playing “Restaurant”

One person can be the waiter (or more, depending on how many children are playing) and take the orders.

I provide scratch paper, a notepad, or I use the “ticket” in the printables 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!

These free printables will help you set up and prep a fun dramatic play restaurant for kids! This is perfect for home or a Pre-K/Kindergarten classroom!

Then, a “chef” cooks the food and a lovely meal is served! You can use plain white paper as placemats, or even have kids decorate them!

These free printables will help you set up and prep a fun dramatic play restaurant for kids! This is perfect for home or a Pre-K/Kindergarten classroom!

We used the play food we have in our classroom, however, you can use real dishes from home, paper plates, and “imaginary food” too! It’s the playful thought that counts!

These free printables will help you set up and prep a fun dramatic play restaurant for kids! This is perfect for home or a Pre-K/Kindergarten classroom!

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!

Grab Your Free Copy

Ready to play? Grab your free signs, menus, and tickets by clicking the large, yellow download button below!

Then, be sure you request your invitation to let us help you plan all year long inside the Print and Play Club!

JOIN hundreds of teachers inside the Print & Play Club. A Club created by a teacher, for teachers! With BRAND NEW monthly centers planned and ready to print and play, in addition to exclusive access to hundreds of seasonal, themed and anytime of the year printables!

With monthly, themed centers, and instant access to hundreds of printables by topic and skill (no more scouring the internet!) your planning time just got easier.

Request your invitation below for more info!

JOIN hundreds of teachers inside the Print & Play Club. A Club created by a teacher, for teachers! With BRAND NEW monthly centers planned and ready to print and play, in addition to exclusive access to hundreds of seasonal, themed and anytime of the year printables!
Click Here to Download Your Printable
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Alex
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.
Alex
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nancy

    March 24, 2019 at 4:42 pm

    I just printed your restaurant menu for our dramatic play center. My students will be so excited to see these. They are absolutely perfect!!! Thank you for sharing your talents and resources.

    Reply
    • Alex

      March 27, 2019 at 7:46 pm

      Yay! I am so glad you can use them Nancy!

      Reply
  2. brenda

    March 19, 2017 at 3:54 pm

    Thank you so much for this freebie! I so appreciate it. I tallied up just how much I spent on my classroom from January 2016 to December 2016 and the total was $1,600. So this certainly will help.

    Thank you Again!

    Reply
    • Kathy Toms

      October 31, 2021 at 12:33 pm

      What a brilliant resource for my preschool room. Thank you so much. The children will love it. Much appreciated.

      Reply
      • Michelle

        November 1, 2021 at 6:23 am

        Kathy,

        We’re so glad you love this activity. Have a great week! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
  3. Kelly Ammerman

    August 2, 2016 at 6:49 pm

    What an awesome dramatic play center! Where do I find the printables? So excited to set up this learning center!

    Reply
    • Alex

      August 2, 2016 at 7:02 pm

      Hi Kelly! So glad you like the printables – they were definitely a hit with my kids! They are one of our subscriber freebies, and you can grab them by clicking the yellow “download here” button below. Enjoy! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  4. Sara

    September 21, 2015 at 7:31 am

    Love it! So cute. I love all the literacy opportunities in this dramatic play idea.

    Reply
    • Alex

      September 21, 2015 at 6:04 pm

      Thank you Sarah! Yes, so much can be learned through play! I love that they are learning and having fun at the same time! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply

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Through the Print and Play Club, her Instagram community, and easy prep classroom resources, Alex shares her love of resources and activities that promote playful learning with other Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers around the world.

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