Essentials for the Costume Box
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Kids (and adults!) love to dress up. This type of imaginary play is not only good for creativity and self expression, but it is heaps of fun. It will absorb your children for hours and keep them away from the TV on a rainy day. More importantly, it will come in handy whenever you have a themed party that your children need to attend.
What are the essential items you need in a costume or dress-up box? Well, to start with a really good, sturdy box to put all the items in. It could be a strong cardboard box, a clear plastic storage container or even a wooden chest. It needs to be easily accessible and quite resilient as hopefully it will be the dress-up box for years and years!
What you put inside will be an ongoing process, something you can add to whenever you come across something new:
- Regular adult clothes – raid your wardrobe for old shirts, skirts, scarves, shoes, hats, a fuzzy jumper, an old evening gown as well as bags, purses and wallets.
- Thrift or second hand stores – keep an eye out for really bright, outlandish clothes made of silky fabric, sequins, gloves, fake-fur, velvet, vests, and uniforms – anything eye-catching and interesting.
- Bargain shops – this is where you will get cheap jewellery, bangles, necklaces and other items such as a tiara, princess wand, pirate patch, angel wings, feather boa, wigs, and plastic glasses.
- Costumes – you can also get a ready-made costume such as a fireman outfit, knight’s costume, cowboy, fairy or doctor costume to round off the dress up box.
The thing to remember is – anything goes! Have fun adding to the box regularly and have your camera ready as you watch your children become completely absorbed in their own fantasies and imaginary world of make believe.
