Dressing Up: Costumes, Accessories and DIY Dress-Ups
Oskar's Wooden Ark | August 08, 2022
Who or what will you be today? Role Play and Dress-Ups is a form of imaginative and open-ended play that has been a timeless favourite for children of all ages. It allows children to exercise their imagination, as well as explore magical worlds, characters and ideas inspired by their favourite books and films, or even elements from their everyday lives. This form of play is wonderful for developing and boosting their social awareness, problem-solving abilities and communication skills, as it promotes creative thinking by providing new ideas for them to explore in a fun and playful way.
At Oskar's Wooden Ark, we stock a whole range of costumes, accessories and props that are perfect for parties, Halloween and Book Week. In this blog post, we will navigate our extensive range of Dress-Up & Role Play items available on our website, as well as provide some nifty DIY ideas using our Art & Craft supplies for making your own dazzling costumes and accessories!
Step into Character
What's more fun than putting on a somewhat eccentric outfit and pretending to be someone else for a while? With the vast range of books, folklore, media and games; the literary and digital world is saturated with both characters and stories for us all to explore. It can be overwhelming to pick just one given the infinite number of adventures to embark on, but let's get started with these classic folk for a baseline of inspiration that you will be able to bring to life in your own unique way:
Baker
Gluckskafer has all the things your little baker or chef needs to cook up a storm and tasty ensemble to impress at the next dinner party! Slip on that apron and oven glove and you'll be looking *chef's kiss*.
Whisk it for the biscuit! | @exploringlifetogether_
Butterfly fly away! | @ourcountrytale
Butterfly
Put on your favourite Sarahs' Silk Wings and take flight!
Will you be a celestial butterfly of the Starry Night?
Maybe you'll glide over fragrant fields of blushing Blossom?
Perhaps you'll soar under the sun in the sandy Desert?
Do you prefer to venture to the lush and evergreen Forest?
Or why not get the best of all worlds and explore the Rainbow?
Builder
Kids at Work produce real and functional kid-sized tools that will make your little handyman or tradie-lady the best in the business! Safety comes first, so make sure you wear your vest, goggles and gloves, before completing the look with your favourite tool belt. Off to work you go!
Can we fix it? Yes, we can! | @exploringlifetogether_
Doctor or Nurse
Become the know-it-all of all remedies thanks to Gluckskafer's Nurses Apron and Cap! Don't forget to bring your trusty Doctors Case with you to each appointment.
Dragon
Legend says that the infamous Green Dragon's den is somewhere deep within the grassy valley, whereas the Red Dragon resides high in the mountains in the glow of the volcano! Which one will you seek first?
Slay, dragon! | @sarahssilks
Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo! | @ourcountrytale
Fairy
Take a trip to the bottom of the garden with all of the other fairy folk, but be sure to have your best fairy 'fit on for the occasion! We recommend a Sarah's Silks Fairy Skirt which has been twirl-tested, along with a Sarah's Silks Streamer to cast your charms. To finish the look, the VAH Flower Crown or Sarah's Silks Garland atop your dainty head will be sure to enchant all you pass!
Left Right Good Knight! | @spielzeugmanufaktur_vah
Be a part of this world! | @sarahssilks
Mermaid
Where the sand meets the sea is where you ought to be! Trade your feet for fins with the Sarah's Silks Mermaid Playsilk and get ready to dive deep into a serene world where fishy friends await!
Mum or Dad
Hush little Dinkum Doll, don't you cry! Mum and Dad will sing you a lullaby!
And if you want a drink of milk, we will wrap you in a Sarah's Silk!
Mother knows best! | @mumz.world
Ahoy! | @learnandbloom
Pirate
Arrgh, me hearties! It's time to set sail for the seven seas! Grab your Cutlass and your best bandana fashioned from Sarah's Silks and take haste seeking the buried treasure.
Prince or Princess
As the leader of the kingdom, you must be dressed for the part, your highness! For all you fair princesses, VAH has got you covered in gossamer capes, daring dresses, elegant crowns and hats, as well as swords and daggers for defending your own honour. Dashing princes, don't forget your crown, cape and sword!
Once Upon a Time... | @sarahssilks
Robin Hood the Good! | @spielzeugmanufaktur_vah
Robin Hood
Become the most heroic outlaw of all the land, Robin Hood! Slip on that famous red and green cape and hat, grab your crossbow and get ready to defend the forest from all evil.
Let's go roamin' around! | @spielzeugmanufaktur_vah
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? | @exploringlifetogether_
Superhero
It's Super-Kid here to save the day! Get ready to fly across the city, fighting crime, with your colourful cape billowing in your wake. Add some wrist streamers for some more pizzazz!
Aim & shoot for vik-tory! | @spielzeugmanufaktur_vah
Double, Double Toil and Trouble! | @sarahssilks
Witch or Warlock
Cast a spell and concoct a potion as the cleverest magic-maker around! All you need is the Sarah's Silks Witch Set to transfigure into the most spellbinding being of all the realm.
DIY Dress-Ups with Playsilks
Sometimes making your costume with bits and bobs around home can be more fun than just buying it! If you have any Sarah's Silks Playsilks floating around home, you might be surprised with just how many costumes you can fashion from it:
Other DIY Dress-Ups
Have you consider crafting your own costume or accessories for your next event? Save recycled materials such as cardboard boxes and tubes to make into costumes and accessories, or experiment with natural materials such as sticks, flowers and leaves. You'll be amazed with at some of the things you can make:
VAH DIY Shield
Although VAH offer a range of epically illustrated shields, they also offer DIY Shields that you can decorate for yourself in whatever form, medium or art you desire!
Cina and her children have covered theirs in blackboard paint before decorating it with the Kitpas Art Chalk.
Harry Potter Costume
Wingardium Leviosa! There's no need to take a trip to Mr Ollivander's in Diagon Alley when you can make your own wand with a stick and some Stockmar Modelling Beeswax! Complete the wizarding look with your robes fashioned from Sarah's Silks and a handmade felt tie. Ten points to Gryffindor!
Star Wand
Creating your own captivating fairy wand for all your spell casting is simple! All you need is some recycled cardboard, Japanese Silk Tissue Paper and a stick. Get ready to make some magic!
Props & Accessories
Already got your costume sorted but you've found it's missing the final touch? Or perhaps you are looking for props to incorporate in your role play?
You might like...
From Jennifer Bow and Arrows Set
From Jennifer Bow and Arrows Quiver
Olli Ella Berry Basket
Gluckskafer Doctor's Case Complete with Contents
Gluckskafer Metal Bucket
Gluckskafer Wooden Broom with Horse Hair for Inside Use
VAH Wristband with Bells
Olli Ella Rattan Strolley
What to read next:
LEARN: Story Telling Through Bookish Play
The Benefits of Risky Play: Introducing VAH Spielzeugmanufaktur - handmade toys and role-play costumes
