Creating a Dress-Up Box

Michelle McNally
June 22, 2011

A well-stocked dress-up box is a gold mine on a rainy day or when friends come to play. Actually, a container with dividers, a set of drawers, or dedicated closet space typically works better than just a big box. When items have a dedicated space, it's easier for children to find what they are looking for and clean up is a snap. With a little imagination and some gathering, you'll have a fun collection in no time. 

Ideas for your dress-up stash: 

Halloween costumes: Costumes from years past are a great treasure, and if your child really likes costumes, the week after Halloween is a great time to stock up at great savings. Costume items like wings, capes, hats, and fairy wands will "fit" for many years beyond the first one.

Old uniforms and activity outfits: Old dance recital outfits, sports jerseys from seasons past, work shirts, bowling league shirts, and the like are essential to a dress-up collection. Holiday and special occasion dresses that are not likely to be worn again are also fun to add. Older cousins, grandparents, and friends are all good sources of these special items. Garage sales and thrift stores are also an economic way to expand a dress-up collection

Trinkets, freebies and party favors: Once you start looking, you realized dress-up accessories are all around. Party beads, crowns from birthday parties, medals from sporting events, and souvenirs like mouse-ears make great additions to a dress up collection. Fire hats handed out during a field trip to the fire house, airplane wings from air travel, and junior police badges can all be added to the the treasure trove.

Shoes: Your old shoes, dad's old shoes, shoes that are too big/too fancy/the wrong season, and plastic shoes made just for dress-up complete any outfit.

Handbags and accessories: Old purses, wallets, tote bags, pocket protectors, suspenders, old watches, clipboards, calculators, mobile phones, and other things you are no longer using will find new life in a dress-up collection. Putting the accessories to play different scenarios (school, doctor, office) near the dress up stash is an easy way to inspire all sorts of play.

As your child grows, be sure the dress-up collection grows with her. Make it a tradition to pass on outgrown items to a younger cousin or friend.  Adding new items periodically will encourage new scenarios, and even more hours of play!