Today we are making wooden town blocks. Kids of all ages, particularly toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarten kids, are going to love making their own town blocks. This will allow them to do a fun craft, build, and even engage in pretend play. So many things in one activity! Make these DIY wooden town blocks at home or in the classroom.
DIY Wooden Town Blocks
So, with this craft we used scrap wood to make our own blocks, but if you have plain ole regular building blocks they will also work and can be decorated.
Either way, kids will be able to decorate and create, practice fine motor skills and hand eye coordination as they stack and build. And they will be able to engage in pretend play as they play with the town they built! It’s educational and fun!
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Related: You can make a pretend city using paper bags!
Supplies Needed To Make Wooden Town Blocks
Step 1
If you’re using scrap wood like we did, make sure it’s cut down to building block size and sand any rough edges off.
Step 2
Use painters tape to tape off the building. You are wanting some squares and rectangle sections left open for the windows.
Step 3
Paint the window sections white. Let it dry.
Step 4
Once it is dry, take off your painters tape.
Step 5
Outline and draw the windows. Let it dry.
Step 6
Stack up your town and play!
Now that your kids have their own town blocks, they can set them up anyway they want. But how can they play in such a small town? These small towns are perfect for playing with:
- Toy cars
- Use doll house furniture to set up different cafes and outside areas or maybe “inside” behind the building.
- Little People toys
- Small dolls or action figures
Benefits of Pretend Play
Young children learn about the world by looking and listening. They closely watch what those around them do, like family members and friends. In order to process all of the information they take in, children often imitate and act out similar stories through dramatic play i.e. house, doctor, dolls, cars, pretend town, just imaginative little games.
A more detailed example is when kids play kitchen with pretend food and with little tool benches with plastic tools so they can be just like Mom and Dad. Pretend play also helps them practice social cues. Dramatic play and pretend play activities also promotes independent play which is also important for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarten kids.
Materials
- Scrap Wood Cut Down To Size or Wooden Building Blocks
- White Paint
- Sponge or Paint Brush
- Paint Pens
- Painters Tape
Instructions
- If you’re using scrap wood like we did, make sure it’s cut down to building block size and sand any rough edges off.
- Use painters tape to tape off the building. You are wanting some squares and rectangle sections left open for the windows.
- Paint the window sections white. Let it dry.
- Once it is dry, take off your painters tape.
- Outline and draw the windows. Let it dry.
- Stack up your town and play!
More Pretend Play Fun From Kids Activities Blog
How did your kids like these wooden town blocks?