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Various Dress Up Games for Kids

by Ann Hudson

Overview

Dress up games represent a lot more than just playful fooling around. When children play dress up they are actually learning. Games that incorporate dress up play help to prepare children for life as a grown up. These role playing games allow children to develop their language arts skills as well as their imaginations.
Traditional

The idea of being someone else for a little while is very appealing, particularly for children. Whether it's their favorite super hero or fairy tale character or even an animal or cartoon character, trying out new roles actually helps children discover important things about themselves. A traditional dress up game may simply require making a variety of costume items available to children. Mom's high heels or Dad's favorite t-shirt are often enough to initiate a little healthy make believe. If something more than unstructured free play is desired, allow the children to pretend to be mom or dad for a specified period of time. This could be all day or just through one meal. This kind of play often prompts meaningful conversations about growing up and about what life was like when mom and dad were little. Something as simple as trying on funny wigs and hats and improvising little skits together as a family can provide entertainment while drawing on individual creativity.

Creating costumes

Creating the costume can be half the fun. Arts and crafts projects can provide additional opportunities for role playing and imagination as children make their own masks, wigs, necklaces or other costume items. Make a game of these activities by having a contest to see who can come up with the best handmade costume. Simple grocery bags can be easily and quickly transformed into funny masks by cutting holes for eyes, mouth and nose and decorating with construction paper, glue and crayons. For a project that is a little more elaborate, make paper mache masks by covering an inflated balloon with strips of newspaper adhered with wallpaper paste. Have children work in teams of two for this craft. It will take about 24 hours for the paper mache to dry, so plan ahead. Once dry, help these teams cut the mache covered balloon into two halves. Each half represents a mask form that can be painted with acrylic craft paint. Glue or staple yarn to the top of the mask for hair if desired. Simple hats can be made from construction paper or folded newspaper. When these projects are finished, throw a fancy dress party and let the children wear their creations or use then to improvise a play.
Online games

There are also a number of online dress up games for children to enjoy. These games offer a similar kind of make believe fun, but tend to rely more on visual skills than creative pretending. These games function like high tech paper dolls. Kids can create their own virtual fashion statements complete down to jewelry, shoes, and accessories. Sites such as www.akidsheart.com offer games that appeal to both boys and girls.