Roll and shape play dough (or real dough, if baking is on the agenda) into cakes, cookies, and loaves. Set up a small counter and take pretend orders, 'baking' and decorating each one before handing it over to a waiting customer.
What you need
- play dough
- small plates or trays
- play money (optional)
How to do it
- 1Set out a small table or tray as the bakery counter, with play dough and a few 'baking' tools nearby.
- 2"What would you like to order today?" Take a pretend order from a stuffed animal or family member.
- 3Shape and decorate the dough into the requested treat, adding pretend sprinkles or icing details.
- 4Hand over the finished order with a receipt, a thank-you, or pretend change if using play money.
Variations
- If dough isn't available: paper cut-outs of cakes and cookies work just as well for the ordering and serving part.
- How it ends: 'closing the bakery' and lining up the day's creations on a shelf gives the game a clean close.
💡 Parent tip
Ask for something specific and slightly silly ('a purple hedgehog cake') — it stretches the creative side of the game further.
What your child develops
- Social sequencing — taking an order, making it, and delivering it is a full customer-service loop
- Fine motor skill — shaping and decorating dough builds hand strength and precision
- Early number sense — pretend money and pricing introduces basic counting in context
Safety notes
- If using real dough, note it may not be edible depending on the recipe — clarify with the child beforehand.
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