Materials
Laminate or clear contact paper
Pictures related to the theme
Scissors
Strapping tape
Popsicle sticks or craft sticks
Song sheets
Plastic bag
Instructions
1. Put pet store props (see materials) in the Dramatic Play Center to make a pet
store.
2. Put plastic fish in a bucket or large container of water. Encourage the children
to scoop fish into zipper closure plastic bags. This is a great math activity (for
example, ask children to scoop two red fish and one blue fish).
3. The children can purchase fish, pets, and supplies at the cash register.
4. Encourage the children to use markers and paper to make money, checks, or
signs for the animal's cages. Four-year-olds have wonderful creativity, and
they will help you think of all kinds of things to do with the pet store!
More to do
Blocks: Put some plastic pets in the Construction Zone and see if the children can
build homes for them.
Field Trip: Take a field trip to a local pet store. When you come back to class,
ask the children if they have new ideas for things to add to their pet store.
Science: Put pet food samples in the Science Center and encourage children to
figure out which pet eats which food.
Social Studies: Invite a veterinarian to visit the class and talk about how to take
care of pets.
