Airport

The Airport dramatic play center is another one of our very favorite centers each year.  I wrote about it last year and included pictures of how the kids make tickets, assign roles and stamp their passports.  This year, I thought that you might be interested to see a few new pictures.

This is the entrance to Play Air Gate A.  The table on the left is where the gate attendant collects the tickets.  The PVC pipe frame is the security check point.

We started the day by taking a poll to see how many kids had flown on an airplane.  We talked about what we would need to pack to go on a trip, and where we would like to go.

Before passengers can get on the plane, they need to stop at the reservations desk to purchase a ticket.  These ticket agents were very busy writing out tickets and answering the phone.  The computer monitor, keyboard and phone are not plugged in but this area had a waiting list all morning long!

We added a big world map so that the travelers can choose their destination.  There is also a basket of travel brochures and catalogs.

This travel agent sold me a ticket to Ireland for "5" and let me upgrade to first class for only $1 more. You can't get bargains like that anywhere else!

This is the little project I've been working on all weekend-- a baggage x-ray machine for the security check point.  It is just a huge roll of duct tape and a big cardboard box.  

X-ray images are readily available online, but I found out that it's really hard to locate an image of a "safe" bag.  There were lots of contraband pictures, so be careful if you decide to print one.

I don't own many small suitcases, so we asked our students to bring them in.  They were so excited to show up to school with their bags packed and ready to play!

The ground crew is in charge of directing the plane on the tarmac.  The crew member wears an orange vest, sound proof headphones and goggles.  We made wands (is that the right word?) from a big wrapping paper tube.  Duct tape is my best friend.

How adorable is this?

Ground crew ready - check.  Pilot and Co-Pilot in the cockpit - check.  Passengers seated - check.  Ready for take-off (or blast-off, as one of my students called it!).

The pilots use a fantastic homemade set of controls to imitate flying the plane.  This pilot is making an announcement on the (hairdryer) microphone!

Our on-board beverage services are provided by highly skilled flight attendants.  

If you're looking for some ideas about how to make your own dashboard, try these:

Car Dashboard - And Next Comes L

Activity Dashboard - Lalymom

All of the signs, tickets, name tags, and passport printables are available in this Airport Dramatic Play Set.

Here are some affiliate links to the supplies we used to set up the airport.

   

Have fun playing and learning with your children today!

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