Introduction

As a parent, I'm always looking for fun and educational activities to do with my daughter Sofie. One activity that we recently set up together is a post office dramatic and sensory play. This activity not only allows Sofie to explore her imagination but also enhances her sensory skills and provides a hands-on learning experience. In this blog post, I will walk you through our post office setup and discuss the benefits of dramatic and sensory play for preschoolers.

Setting the Scene

To create a truly immersive post office experience, we utilized the Printable Post Office Play kit, which includes various decorative elements. The kit contains an open/closed sign that can be hung on the door, a colorful pennant flag to make the space lively, a printable scale for weighing packages, a post office sign to go above the play area, a list of items for purchase, and labels for stamps, letters, envelopes, and more. Additionally, we used the print and fold mailcan, as well as the print and cut stamps for added realism.
With these decorations in place, our IKEA Flisat table was transformed into a bustling post office. The colorful signs and props made Sofie feel like she was stepping into a real post office, igniting her imagination and enthusiasm for the activity.

Download & Print

3 POST OFFICE Sensory Bins & Activities

Activity 1: Weighing and Measuring Boxes

To encourage sensory exploration and understanding of weight and measurement, we set up a sensory bin filled with various-sized boxes. Using the printable scale, Sofie practiced placing the boxes on the scale and comparing their weights. You can also do this with a real scale (preferably a kitchen scale like this one). This activity not only honed her fine motor skills but also introduced basic math concepts such as heavier and lighter, larger and smaller. We also practiced which boxes fit into others and which ones did not.

Activity 2: Packing Foam Balls

In the next sensory bin, we filled it with colorful packing foam balls that resembled packaging materials. You can also use regular packing peanuts or cotton balls or shredded paper if you have them on hand. Armed with scoops and tongs, Sofie had a blast scooping and packing the foam balls into small boxes, mimicking the process of packaging parcels. This activity enhanced her hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and creativity as she carefully arranged the "packages."

Activity 3: Stamping and Mailing Letters

To complete our post office experience, we dedicated a section for stamping and mailing letters. Sofie used the provided labels for stamps, letters, and envelopes to personalize her mail. She had a great time pretending to be a post office clerk, carefully selecting and affixing stamps to the envelopes. Once the letters were ready, she "dropped" them into a play mailbox. This activity enhanced her creativity, fine motor skills, and understanding of mail procedures.

Benefits of Dramatic and Sensory Play

Engaging in dramatic and sensory play holds numerous benefits for preschoolers. Firstly, it allows children like Sofie to use their imagination and creativity, developing their cognitive and problem-solving skills. By taking on different roles and immersing themselves in a make-believe world, they enhance their social and emotional development.
Furthermore, sensory play stimulates a child's senses and hones their fine motor skills. Engaging with various tactile materials, such as the foam balls and printed letters, allows children to explore different textures, develop hand-eye coordination, and strengthen their finger muscles.
Lastly, dramatic and sensory play enables children to practice real-world scenarios, fostering early literacy and numeracy skills. Through the process of weighing, packing, stamping, and mailing, children begin to understand concepts such as weight, measurement, and basic math. Additionally, they gain exposure to reading and writing while engaging in imaginative play, enhancing their language development.

25 Post Office Themed Preschool Vocabulary Words

Envelope: A flat paper container used for sending letters or documents in the mail.
Stamp: A small piece of paper with an adhesive backing, often bearing a design and indicating payment of postage.
Mailbox: A container or slot used for receiving mail at one's residence or at a post office.
Postcard: A rectangular piece of thick paper or cardboard used for sending short messages, often featuring a picture on one side.
Letter: A written or printed communication addressed to a person or organization and usually sent by mail.
Package: A wrapped or boxed object that is sent by mail or delivered in person.
Address: The location to which mail is to be delivered, including the name, street, city, and postal code.
Postman: A person who delivers mail to individual residences or businesses.
Mail carrier: A person who delivers mail, typically on a daily basis, on a specific mail delivery route.
Delivery: The act of bringing or carrying mail or packages to someone's location.
Sorting: The process of arranging and organizing mail or packages based on their destination or category.
Mailbag: A bag used by mail carriers to collect and transport mail.
Postage: The fee required to send a letter, package, or other mail item through the postal system.
Mailbox key: A small key used to open a locked mailbox for receiving mail.
Mail slot: A narrow opening in a door or wall, specifically designed for dropping mail into a building.
Air mail: A method of sending mail via aircraft for faster delivery.
Express mail: A service offered by postal systems that guarantees expedited delivery of mail or packages.
Postal code: A series of letters, numbers, or both used by postal systems to identify specific geographic regions or areas.
Postal worker: A person employed by the postal service who handles mail sorting, delivery, or other related tasks.
Mail van: A vehicle used by postal services to transport mail or packages.
Post office box: A secure and individually assigned mailbox, rented from a post office, for the receipt of mail.
Mail truck: A motorized vehicle used by the postal service for delivering mail and packages.
Postage stamp: A small piece of paper with a printed design and a monetary value indicating payment of postage.
Mail delivery route: A specific path or sequence of locations followed by a mail carrier for the purpose of delivering mail.
Postal service: An organization or government agency responsible for the collection, sorting, transportation, and delivery of mail and packages.

Conclusion

Our post office dramatic and sensory play setup proved to be a hit with Sofie, offering an enriching and enjoyable activity. As she engaged in weighing and measuring boxes, packing foam balls, and stamping and mailing letters, Sofie's imagination soared, and her sensory skills were sharpened. Most importantly, this activity provided a platform for us to bond and learn together. So, if you're looking for a fun and educational activity for your preschooler, consider setting up your own post office dramatic and sensory play. The benefits are endless, and the memories created are priceless!

Including in the printable kit