The value of kids dress up time is immeasurable.
It always amazes me the ability that children have to be creative, making up their own stories and finding new ways to have creative play even by themselves.
This takes me back to when I was a child. I still have early memories of making up songs and stories with my toys. I’m sure the opportunities my parents provided me to be creative with art supplies, toys, and activities helped me grow into the creative person I am today.
Now that I have kids I want to foster that same creativity within them. Help them grow into creative little individuals and learn who they are through activities and play!
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Why is dress up important?
One of the ways to promote creative play within your children is providing them with ways to expand their imagination.
- Get a variety of dress up clothes for your child to express their interests. If they like princesses get them different princess dresses. Mix it up a little so they can explore with things like career dress ups (doctor, police officer, veterinarian)
- Make it fun with stories, games, and songs that go along with their dress ups. Put on some Disney princess music while your little one is playing princess. Sing their favorite princess songs with them.
- Get accessories for your little one to take their creative play to the next level. Doctors kit, play kitchen, princess jewelry and shoes.
Here are some of the benefits children get from playing dress up:
One article by the American Psychological Association discusses that most psychologists agree that there are many benefits to giving children more time to explore and play.
- Creativity– Their brains are growing during dress up play as they get to think while pretending to be a different character.
- Confidence– They grow confidence when dressing up as they can be who they are exploring what interests them.
- Social Skills– Kids gain social skills when playing dress up with other children as they explore and pretend together.
- Education– Children who have more time to participate in creative play gain a richer vocabulary and understanding of things around them.
- Happiness– All kids need time to be kids. Playing makes your children happy and playing dress up is just fun!
What can I put in a dress up box?
Do you have a child who loves dress up?
I highly recommend putting together a dress up box for them!
Our favorite dress ups are from Little Adventures. They have the cutest variety of princess dress ups and more fun items for boys and girls.
Little Adventures also has accessories like shoes, jewelry, crowns, and more for your dress up box.
What does dress up play mean?
Dress up play is simply engaging in play while your child is dressing up.
Play with them, make up a story, take them on an adventure.
Here is an example of a dress up adventure we took our daughter on when she was a toddler.
She was already very excited to have her costume on before we left the house and was dancing around like a little princess.
As soon as we got to the park we let her take the reigns and explore. While we followed and took photos.
It was so fun watching her walk around like a little princess exploring in nature. The setting was so true to Snow White’s character, which made it even more fun.
There is a little castle at the park next to our house, which was very exciting for our little princess.
Our dress up adventure was so much fun! It’s easy to see how much creative play she got out of it.
What does your child like to dress up as? Do your children love pretend play? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Laurie Emerson
My daughter loves to dress up as a nurse and take pretend temperatures. My son loves to dress up as a fireman.
crystal frey
my girls love to dress up. i would say they dont have a favorite. i go to thrift stores and buy old dresses and uniforms for them to play in. if they can imagine it then they will dress up in it.
Richard Hicks
Our son likes to dress as super herees
Samantha
My daughter loves dressing up like butterflies and princesses!
Dana
My daughter loves dressing up and pretend play-she makes up storylines and characters.
Catherine Lewis
A fairy princess and a dinosaur
clynsg
My grandson, nothing much–he is more apt to strip down than to dress up. But his sister just loves her princess dresses!
MaryAnn
My daughter loves to dress up as a princess
Pui
Your daughter is so cute! My son loves to dress up as a superhero. He runs around the house with his cape on pretending to “fly” and “rescue” me from daddy.
Brittany | Coffee And Sarcasm
First of all, your daughter is too cute! My 2 boys love dressing up. We have everything from ninja turtles to mommy’s old work uniforms.
Sammy
Thank you Brittany! That’s so fun, we used to have a dress up drawer full of superhero costumes for my son and he loved it.
Dawn Monzu
My kids are all grown up! My granddaughter loves dressing up as a princess! Especially Disney princesses! She always has a King she is married to, and she is the Queen! You just have to play along…even if it doesn’t make any sense! haha
Sammy
Hi Dawn! How cute, my daughter is exactly the same with the Disney princess obsession. It’s so cute hearing the different stories kids come up with when they play pretend.
Lesley F
My granddaughter loves to dress up as a princess
Jessica W.
My son likes to dress up as superheroes, Batman and Spiderman most often.
Marty
When I picked my daughter up from pre-school last week, she informed me that she was dressed as a “superhero ballerina firefighter.” And yes, I took pictures!
Sammy
Hi Marty! Now that is too cute. Isn’t it great that dress up allows kids to be anyone? Even multiple people at once! ;)
Kelly Kimmell
My daughter likes to dress up as her favorite princess or super hero.
Lasonda
My granddaughter enjoys dressing up as Cinderella and pretending to dance at the ball.
Sammy
How cute Lasonda! One of my favorite things is watching my daughter dance in her princess dresses. :)
Tamara Baker
My kids like to dress up as super hero’s of course ;)
Jeanna Massman
My grandson loves to dress up as Star Wars Character.
RENEE WALTERS
My daughter loves to wear princess and fairy costumes and my son love superhero and firefighter costumes.
Kayla Klontz
My daughter loves dressing as a princess and my son likes dressing like a doctor.
elizabeth miller
My granddaughter loves to dress up as Sophia, dorothy, and any of the Disney princesses. Then again, she also likes to dress up as a pirate.
Jill Rivera
My niece got all of the Disney ‘s princess dress. She is constantly changing between all of the dresses when we visit.
Nancy
The kids think it is fun to dress up as different animals.
Jen Dantum
My daughter loves princess costumes and my sons love superheroes.
Sammy
Hi Jen! My daughter is a total princess too. We have collected quite a few princess dress ups for her. :)
April
My daughter loves to dress up as Rapunzel and my son loves Batman.
Sammy
How cute! My son loved Batman when he was littler. Thanks for stopping by April. :)
Barbara Fox
My granddaughter loves putting in “ugly” teeth – the kind you use for halloween. She also likes being a fairy godmother.
Sammy
Hi Barbara! That’s so fun that she likes to use ugly teeth for dress up.
Valerie Mabrey
Right now it seems to be supergirl. She likes the cape and runs aorund with it flowing.
Sammy
Hi Valerie! That is so cute. We have some superhero fans in our home too. :)
Cynthia C
My nieces love to play dress up. They love all the Disney princesses and mermaids.
Rachel Osborn
My girls love playing dress up! They play Ana and Elsa from frozen , or one be a fairy godmother…it’s so cute and I love seeing them use their imaginations!
Sammy
Hi Rachel! My daughter loves Ana and Elsa too. So neat that your daughters have each other to play dress up with!
Cristina Stauffer
That costume is darling and your photos are awesome! Love, love, love this post! My girls love to play dress up too.
Sammy
Thanks Cristina! My daughter lives for dressing up. She really does get into character and likes to wear her dress up clothes when we are out and about. :)