Make Your Own Pretend Play Mat

Finding a screen-free activity that kids love has never been easier! I’m always looking for new materials and centers to add to my classroom. Make your own pretend play mat by repurposing a yoga mat with these step by step instructions and ideas.

Kids love hands-on play. Leaving their play open ended and allowing children to decide what to create and the story they want to tell is the best way for them to learn and develop their creativity and imagination.

I started by bringing a yoga mat into my classroom with a DIY Sensory Path where kids took their shoes and socks off and followed the path across a few mats.

My students loved it so much and it was easy to make so I started using mats to create various path and sensory activities. Check out DIY Car Play Mat and a DIY Game Board.

Imaginary Play Materials

To create your play mat, you will need the following materials.

• Paint
• Yoga Mat
• Paint Brushes
• Protective Spray

Set Up Materials

You can use any color yoga mat. Ones with a design can be a bit distracting, but will still work. Follow the instruction below to design your mat. Once painted, the following materials/toys are suggested to supply with the mat for play:

• Fairies
• Small Trees
• Wood Slices
• String of Mini Lights
• Mini Homes
• Gems
• Gnomes

My local dollar store has lots of these small houses and characters, but you can also use mini bird houses or even make figures from clay. You’ll be amazed at everything children can create even with only a small amount of props.

A yoga mat is the perfect base for your pretend play mat. They are easy to find, often inexpensive and old ones tend to be easy to come across to reuse. They are also durable and easy to store.

You can also add other materials to the mat. For example you can add fabric for texture for a mountain or grass area, or keep it simple and just use paint.

My children have been showing interest in fairies and gnomes and other fictional, fairy tale type stories, so these are the figures and props I provided for them. However, you can use any small figures and toys for children to play with. Things like cars, tea party props and even Lego type materials can be used. You can also switch up the materials provided with the mat each time.

Painting Your Pretend Play Mat

You can design and paint your mat in any way you wish. Avoid filling every space because open spots allow children to fill it with something that they choose.

A few suggested features to include on your mat are:

• Paths
• Water/Ponds
• Mountain/Land Area
• Grassy Sections

Make sure to add lots of circles/spots for children to place homes and characters. A path running throughout the mat also helps guide children by giving them a place for characters.

I used acrylic paint to create my mat and once you’ve painted, it is best to spray a protective coating to help keep the paint from chipping.

Once your mat is painted, everything else is up to a child’s imagination.

Pretend Play in the Classroom

The mat can be rolled up and takes up very little room. I’ve ended up making over 10 play mats that all fit easily on a shelf. They’re easy to pull out and unroll and all you have to do is add a bin of props/toys for kids to build and play with.

Another great thing about the mats, for use in a classroom, is that you can paint the front and back of each mat and with only five mats, you can have ten different centers. The mats are soft and long so several children can play at one mat at once.

Although I used the mat in my classroom, it can be used virtually anywhere. The mat rolls up easily and is very light. It could even be sent with children for a grandparent’s visit to play at their house!

Benefits of Hands-On Play

Providing children with hands-on, open ended play opportunities like this play mat, fosters creativity and imagination. These toys allow children to create their own story and small land. There is no right way, or wrong way to set up the mat and children can play for hours.

The mat is also created with room for children to add their own features and places. They can turn images and paths into something new. Their imagination is their only restriction.

Using the mat in the classroom is also a great way to promote team work and social skills. Children must create and play with the mat together. This usually leads to children working with each other and adding to the storyline together.

Another option to try when you make your own pretend play mat is to begin the activity by reading a fairy tale or similar book. Children can then use the materials to recreate the story as they play.

I hope this idea gives you inspiration to bring to your classroom or home. Sometimes it’s the easiest crafts and projects that create the most meaningful learning and memories.