This dog activities for kids post originally appeared on May 24, 2012. (Make sure to check out the Little Dog Park at At Home with Ali.)
I was excited about making a dog park pretend play area for the kids and got busy right away thinking about everything you might find at a one. We have two dogs. I didn’t want them to get confused by real dog stuff so we made everything, but if you don’t have dogs I would bet you could pick up real dog toys, leashes and collars for pretty cheap at the dollar store.
Dog Activity for Kids – Dog Park
One thing you might find at a park for dogs is an adoption center. We used ours to talk about the importance of choosing just the right dog.
The adoption center had books about caring for dogs. A clip board and pencils for interviewing prospective dog owners came in handy.
Each dog had a list of qualities. Opening up a discussion about how a playful dog would fit for someone who likes quiet and calm activities? Would a quiet, calm dog be a good fit for someone who spends a lot of time outside and wants a dog who can keep up?
I used tissue paper to fill a couple of water bowls, and felt to make a bone. And of course every dog park needs dog balls!
A dog training area became the perfect place to store our homemade collars and leashes. For the collars I used blue felt and Velcro with an adhesive back. For the leashes I used craft foam strips and Velcro.
Another great lesson for the dog park. Every responsible dog owner needs to know how to clean up after their dog!
You know it’s a good one if even the real dog wants to join in!
This post is part of our Big and Little Series.
What would you add to this pretend play area?
More Pretend Play Fun
Pretend Play Grocery Store
Backyard Explorer
Pretend Play Pinterest Board
Ali @ At home with Ali says
May 25, 2012 at 5:25 amThis is wonderful, I want to adopt one of your dogs in your adoption center!! This is such a great set-up, the kids must have had a blast.
Trisha says
May 25, 2012 at 8:21 amI love your pretend play ideas. This series is going to be great!
Jillian says
May 28, 2012 at 9:16 pmYeah! Thanks Trisha.
Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum says
May 25, 2012 at 2:38 pmThis is great – (is it wrong to say that it remind me of playing The Sims) – we don’t have “dog parks” in the Uk – but I love all the ideas and I wonder whether it’s worth speaking to my kids about this as they have US cousins who must see similar when they go to the dog park with their dogs.
Jillian says
May 28, 2012 at 9:15 pmHa ha… used to love The Sims. I’m sure you could make the Dog area fit for your family… I know how creative you are. 🙂
Mansi says
May 26, 2012 at 10:16 amThis is so amazing. you are totally awesome mom!
Jillian says
May 28, 2012 at 9:14 pmThank you. 😉
Margaret@growingplay says
May 28, 2012 at 7:33 pmSo cute! Kids love homemade dog leashes, you can view our example of goodies we used for pretend play with animals – http://www.growingplay.blogspot.com/2012/04/pretend-play-box-veterinarian.html
Have to admit, my kids would think the fake poop and clean up area was hysterical!
Jillian says
May 28, 2012 at 9:08 pmI love, love, love the head funnel (what is the technical term?) What fun details you included. Maybe a vet will have to be our next pretend play!
Danyelle Franciosa says
May 29, 2012 at 6:32 pmSounds like fun. I love the way you made tissue paper to fill a couple of water in the bowl. Nice pretend play and you are such a great mom.
Jillian says
June 1, 2012 at 6:05 amDanyelle,
Thank you for such a lovely compliment! I’m smiling from ear to ear.
Jill
Jessica says
March 10, 2014 at 8:48 pmSuper cute! I was just wondering, what did you make the fake poop out of?
Jillian says
March 11, 2014 at 5:22 amI borrowed it from my sister. I think she bought it from the dollar store.