Pretend play is so very important for developing early social, emotional, and language skills. We love the idea of incorporating a pretend play corner in the early childhood classroom (especially preschool and kindergarten!) that invites students to explore, order, and learn through props, costumes, and intentional settings! Whether playing house, pretending to be elves in Santa's workshop, or running a pizza shop, your kiddos learn valuable skills!

A pizza shop makes a great pretend play set-up! Students practice verbal communication and listening skills as they make/take orders, they learn the value of step-by-step procedures/following directions, they practice early math skills as they ring up orders, and they're sure to have a blast pretending to do something they've witnessed their parents and others do many times! If you're considering putting together your own pizza shop; along with pizza boxes, menus, ordering pads, and a DIY cardboard pizza oven (like this amazing one from Fun Crafts Kids!!), these fabric pizzas created by Jessi of Getting Messy With Ms. Jessi are sure to be the perfect fit!

Creating the Pizzas

First, Jessi had a parent volunteer create the 'pizza crusts' by sewing together two pieces of canvas type material stuffed with a bit of batting. Then, to give the appearance of a 'golden' crust, she used tea bags to color/stain the fabric.

Finally, she used fabric of various colors and textures to create toppings! Cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, green peppers; you name it, you can make it!

We know Jessi's kiddos had to have had a blast playing with these amazing props! They're so simple and yet will make all the difference in your pretend play pizza shop! Be sure to visit Getting Messy With Ms. Jessi for this and lots of other great projects!