Suitcases ?

[Ruthierhyme]

Have you ever planned an activity around a suitcase or have suitcases as part of your resources - what have they been used for and how were they recieved ?

[busybee]

We introduced a suitcase to our roleplay area last term when we were focusing on holidays, for the first couple weeks we talked about hot holidays and at circletime we talked about places that were hot and the children helped me pack in the case what we would need to take on a hot holiday, then the children were free to use case in roleplay packing the case themselves, we done the same for cold holidays too. The children really enjoyed using it they had chairs lined up imagining they were on a train, plane etc with their suitcase and provided was a big tub of winter and summer clothes, from woolly hats to suncream bottles, flip flops to snow boots. All good fun!!
I also managed to find a suitcase template and pics of seasonal clothing, so the children also decide what holiday they would like to go on and cut out the weather appropriate clothing and stuck the clothes in the suitcase.

As above but we had the two suitcases at the same time, sun and winter holiday for children to sort into cases. ( My son lost all his ski gear and diving gear for a few weeks! we had to do it off season.. the skis and boots were a hit.. as was the snorkel and fins)

[Brandy]

we have a little ted who packs his suitcase to go on holiday
he takes toothpaste and brush soap flannel towel sun cream, glasses, clothes etc and as he packs we ask why does he need toothpaste, what for etc so introducing healthy practices etc, all of the bits he packs are tiny as is the suitcase, it was made from bits picked up at carboots etc.
the children love it as they help ted pack his case.