Choose
A customer decides what they want. Start with just two choices.
FREE SETUP GUIDE · PRESCHOOL PRETEND PLAY
One table.
Four pretend shops.
A grocery store today. A bakery another day. Keep the same small space and change the sign, the form and the story.
These ideas work with materials you already have. The page previews below come from our paid Shops & Food printable bundle; you can also try the play sequences with your own handmade signs and scrap paper.
START SMALL
Print 3 pages. Add a few props. Begin.
For any one of the four kits, start with page 5 (the shop sign), page 13 (the first role-badge page) and page 22 (the shopping list or order form). Use one badge at a time if that suits your group. There is no need to print the whole kit to try a first round.
The same table, three simple jobs
Make a useful mark
Draw, point or dictate an order. The form helps the next person know what to do.
Check and switch
Look at the list or order together. Then give someone else a turn.
SHOP 01
Grocery store: give a shopping list a job
Gather
A basket, two or three clean empty food boxes, scrap paper and crayons.
Try the first round
Ask the shopper to draw two things to buy. Set those items on the table, let the shopper find them, and invite the cashier to check the list before packing the basket. Then change roles.
Two invitations to try
“What is on your list?”
“Which item do we still need?”
Meet them where they are
If drawing feels like too much, the child can point while you make the marks. If the play grows, add a third item or sort the boxes into two groups.
Paid kit starting pages: 5 — shop sign; 13 — role badges; 22 — Shopping List. The complete kit has 55 pages.
SHOP 02
Bakery: take an order and fill a tray
Gather
A tray, play food or large paper food shapes, a pencil and an empty box for pickup.
Try the first round
Let the customer order two pretend cupcakes. The baker draws or marks the quantity on the form, fills a tray and checks it with the customer. Put the order in the pickup box and switch jobs.
Two invitations to try
“What would you like today?”
“Does this tray match your order?”
Meet them where they are
You can write the customer’s words while they count the pretend food. For another round, let them choose a different quantity or add a pickup name.
Paid kit starting pages: 5 — shop sign; 13 — role badges; 22 — Bakery Order Form. The complete kit has 49 pages.
SHOP 03
Pizza restaurant: choose, make and serve
Gather
A paper plate, large paper topping shapes, a tray and a crayon.
Try the first round
The customer chooses pretend toppings. The server records the choice with a mark or drawing. The chef arranges the toppings on a paper plate, then the server checks the ticket before delivering it.
Two invitations to try
“Which toppings would you like?”
“Is this the pizza you ordered?”
Meet them where they are
Start with two topping choices. Add a delivery job only when everyone understands the first sequence. An adult can help prepare the paper shapes.
Paid kit starting pages: 5 — shop sign; 13 — role badges; 22 — Pizza Order Ticket. The complete kit has 58 pages.
SHOP 04
Ice cream shop: one scoop or two?
Gather
Cups, a spoon and large paper circles for pretend scoops.
Try the first round
Invite the customer to choose a flavor and ask for one or two scoops. Mark the order, count the paper circles into the cup and check together before handing it over. Switch customer and scooper roles.
Two invitations to try
“One scoop or two?”
“How many scoops are in the cup?”
Meet them where they are
Keep the first round to one flavor. Add a second color of paper when children want more choices. Counting can stay inside the play rather than becoming a separate worksheet.
Paid kit starting pages: 5 — shop sign; 13 — role badges; 22 — Ice Cream Order. The complete kit has 55 pages.
A small setup checklist
- Choose one shop theme and two starting roles.
- Clear one table, shelf or tray so the play has a home.
- Add a sign, one useful form and a few familiar props.
- Model one short exchange, then let children change the story.
- Keep unused pages in a folder. Add them when they have a job to do.
- Reset the same space for another theme when the group wants a change.
Use sturdy, age-appropriate props, with adult help for cutting. Paper food is for pretend play.
READY-MADE PRINTABLES · SOLD ON ETSY
Four complete centers, in one download bundle.
Choose the print edition you need. Each of the four ZIP files contains all four kits as separate PDFs, plus a read-me file.
| Kit | Pages | First useful form |
|---|---|---|
| Grocery Store | 55 | Shopping List |
| Bakery | 49 | Bakery Order Form |
| Pizza Restaurant | 58 | Pizza Order Ticket |
| Ice Cream Shop | 55 | Ice Cream Order |
The four editions: US Letter Color, US Letter Low-Ink, A4 Color and A4 Low-Ink. These are the same four kits in different sizes and print styles, not 868 different activities.
Each kit includes setup guidance, signs, role badges, functional forms, labels, conversation prompts, counting and literacy pages, and bunting. The 217-page total includes guidance and decor pages as well as activities.
View the Shops & Food Bundle on Etsy →Paid digital download. No physical props or finished play center are shipped. Etsy shows the current price and purchase details.
Before you print
Do I need to print all 217 pages?
No. Choose one kit and start with its sign, role-badge page and first form. Keep the other pages for later play. The page numbers above are the same in all four print editions.
Is this guide a free printable bundle?
The setup ideas on this page are free to read. The four complete shop kits and the pages pictured here are part of the paid Etsy bundle. For a separate free PDF, try the four-page Mail Carrier sampler linked below.
Can children use it before they can write?
You can invite a child to point, draw or dictate an order while an adult makes the marks. Choose the parts of the play that suit the child; completing a form is optional.
Are the toy food and props included?
No. This is a digital product. Add your own classroom or household props, or use simple paper shapes.
Want to try a small printable activity first?
Our separate free four-page Mail Carrier sampler includes a welcome page, role badge, OPEN sign and setup guide. Download it without an account or email sign-up.
Try the free Mail Carrier sampler →