How to make a pretend play superhero cape #IAmSuperCapes

Superhero capes can make a great addition to a dressing up box and can spark imaginations in pretend play.

When I heard about the charity I Am Super Capes I was keen to get involved. The charity aims to give every child a chance to be a super hero - no matter where they live or what is happening in their lives. You can find out more about them but clicking here.

I enlisted some help from a very lovely friend (including the use of her sewing machine as mine wasn't working) and we made two capes following the very easy pattern which you can find on he Super capes website here.

The finished capes look fab - as seen modeled here on Super Ted!

Then all that was left was to post it to Super capes HQ in order that it can be passed on to a small superhero. Can you sew? Could you make a cape to support this charity?

DIY airport role play

Dramatic (or pretend) play set ups are not only lots of fun they are great for developing imagination and language skills.

The Frog is super keen on all things transport related so recycled some cereal packets and a big cardboard box into an airport.

The Fairy and I talked about what might be at an airport and searched through our junk box to find appropriate shaped items

When the Fairy saw me writing some signs she was keen to join in - a great way to develop literacy skills in a functional way.

Then it was play time.

Fairy Forest

The Fairy loves pretend play - especially if it's fairy related. She loves playing with her fairy tea cup house I made last year (click here to see it). So I created a fun filled fairy play scene simply by painting some pine cones green.

The Fairy helped to paint a shoe box as a back drop. We also added some glass beads which the were quickly made into a path.

I didn't stick the pine cones down as The Fairy likes to move things around in play and this provides more flexibility.

By adding a star (I used a hot glue gun to attach a sequin) the tree was transformed into a Christmas tree - a perfect addition to a dolls house.

Maggy over at Red Ted Art has lots more fab ideas of things to make with pine cones - check them out by clicking here

Language Focus: Pretend play is great for developing language. It provides a fantastic opportunity to develop narrative (story telling) skills and imagination.

Role Play Barbecue

This summer we have enjoyed alot of barbecues with family and friends (despite the weather being typically British!). The Fairy loved it - food, people to chat to and often games too - her idea of bliss.  So I thought that as a surprise I'd make some pretend play props with my new sewing machine (by new I mean me to me, as in found with a sign saying 'free to good home').

She loved the results (I was quite proud too - as my first attempt using the machine, it's not bad!).

As well as a burger, bun, cheese and salad we added a cooling rack for the 'barbie' and some play tongs

Would you like cheese with that?

The only thing that is nearly as good as eating barbecue food -playing barbecues!