Play Mission: The Petite Shop Takeover!
School holidays are here, the kids are home, and let's be real, the cost of living has us all reconsidering how often we ‘just pop to the shops’ (because somehow, a quick milk run turns into a $50 spend).
But fear not! This Easter break, we're bringing the shop to you with a little help from the Petite Shop cubby or sheets and blankets. The choice is yours here! School holiday activities are our jam over here.
🛒 Step 1: Open for Business!
Transform your Petite Shop or homemade fort into a bustling holiday market. Will it be a bakery, a fruit and veggie stand, or maybe a tiny café serving up pretend flat whites (because if there’s one thing we won’t cut back on, it’s coffee)? Let the kids set up their ‘store’ with toy food, paper money, and handwritten signs and of course bonus points if they give you a “cost-of-living crisis” discount!
💸 Step 2: Play with Purpose!
Learning doesn’t stop during the holidays! Running a pretend shop teaches kids about money, counting, and even negotiation skills (which will come in handy when they’re asking for yet another snack). Encourage them to ‘price’ items, count change, and even introduce ‘special offers’ to entice customers (aka, you and any unsuspecting visitors).
🛍 Step 3: No-Drama Shopping Trips!
Forget the battle over self-checkout scanners, this is a shop where kids are in charge! They can stock the shelves, serve customers, and practice their best customer service voice: “Would you like a receipt with that?” Meanwhile, you can sit back, enjoy a ‘free’ cup of pretend tea, and marvel at how much fun they’re having without anyone asking for a $12 packet of fancy crackers. We all need a little holiday activity inspiration!
🏡 The Homebody Bonus
With families looking for more budget-friendly ways to entertain kids at home, the Petite Shop cubby isn’t just a toy, it’s a mini economy of fun, learning, and endless play. No screen time required. No checkout shock. Just pure, imaginative joy.
So, this school holidays, skip the shopping queues and let the kids run the store instead. Your wallet (and your sanity) will thank you.
📖 Storytime![]()
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Not strictly a shopping book, but there's a charming trip to the pet store and it opens up pretend scenarios for different kinds of shops, like pet shops or bakeries! Fun, mischievous, and visually engaging.
Why I think it's a great choice for this week's play mission:
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It features a pet shop, opening up a different kind of shop-based role play. Kids could stock toy leashes, bowls, or plush animals in their Petite Shop cubby.
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It sparks conversations around emotions and empathy, which adds a sweet depth to pretend play.
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The expressive illustrations and playful tone are a big hit with little ones, especially those who love animals (or know a cat with major main-character energy!).
Riddle Time! Let's get that brain food into our little ones:
- I go up but never come down.
What am I? - I don’t have a mouth, but I can still talk.
What am I? - I’m tall when I’m young, and short when I’m old.
What am I?
Thanks so much for joining us this week on a school holiday play mission!
Answers to riddles:
- Your Age
- An echo
- A candle