DIY Dramatic Play Center - Move Mountains in Kindergarten

Need to update your Dramatic Play center in your classroom? Want to build a dramatic play center in your daycare or playroom? I have a step-by-step tutorial on how to make one for under $50! At the end of this blog post, you will find a freebie on how to use it in the classroom, writing prompts to match it, and materials and steps to make it. This makes it easier when going into the store to buy the materials and to have them by you when building instead of scrolling back and forth for the plans.

Materials Needed for Dramatic Play:

4 White Crates: $12.99 at Joann’s, use a 50% coupon on each for $26 total
2 by 4’s from Home Depot, cut to be 6ft. $3 each
Plywood from Home Depot cut to be 3ft 2in by 1.5ft for $5
2in Drywall Nails from Home Depot for sides and plywood, use 10- $2 a pack
1 and 3/4in Nails from Home Depot for joining crates together, use 4- $2 a pack
Pint of White Paint and Brush for $8 at Home depot

Some of these materials we already had like the nails. The nails come in packs of 100 and crates can vary depending on which craft store you get them from. Also, prices can vary if you get the crates already white or buy just plain wood crates for cheaper and paint yourself. I bought them over time with a 50% off coupon to get them at the lowest price.

dramatic-play-materials — Here are all the Dramatic Play Center materials you need to build one.

Step 1:

First, place the four white crates however you want them. I have done all crates facing one way and I have done two flipped the other way. Then you will place nails connecting horizontally and vertically, 4 nails total.

Step 2:

Cut the 2 by 4’s into 6ft and place on the front side of the crates. Place three nails on each lower side connecting them to the crates.

dramatic-play-stand — Place 2 by 4s on the side of the white crates

Step 3:

Next, cut the plywood to be 3ft and 2in by 1.5ft. We choose 3ft and 2in because it made it flush against the 2 by 4’s reaching each side perfectly. Measure before cutting as your dimensions might vary slightly depending on how big your crates are.

Step 4:

Afterward, line up the plywood to the top and sides of the 2 by 4’s and then drill three nails into each side. Make sure all sides are flush against each other. Plywood might need to be sanded down, it is easier to sand before drilling.

dramatic-play-center — The cheapest way to make a Dramatic Play center that changes monthly.

Step 5:

Then, paint the 2 by 4’s and plywood white to match the crates. The paint is from Home Depot and all I used was a pint to cover all the wood. Pictured below was paint we already had but a pint will be plenty.

Step 6:

Last, you will put the Dramatic Play center decorations on, all products used are in my Teachers Pay Teachers Store. Change them out monthly or depending on the season. Get decorations from Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and Target Dollar spot for cheap. Pictured below is my Farmer’s Market Stand that was up in August where my students practice being workers and shoppers. Check out my blog post all about my Classroom Makeover and see where I put this in my classroom.