We haven’t been learning about post offices recently, but G’s had lots of questions about them and what goes on behind the scenes. After watching a couple of quick videos about the machines and processes that make post offices run (one from Sesame Street and one from Emily Yeung), we set up our own post office at home.

R was the customer. She set to work writing, sealing, and addressing a letter to her Mimi:

G helped make sure she had enough change to buy a stamp:

We used a canvas toy tote as our “mail slot:”

Next, I came in with a package, a ViewMaster that had to be mailed to my imaginary “granddaughter in another state.” G got to use the postal scale (food scale) and affix a Priority Mail sticker, his favorite part!

It’s super simple to set up a post office dramatic play area!

Just gather together some supplies, move some furniture around, and have fun! You can go as simple or as deluxe as you’d like with the setup and props. Here are some suggestions for props to get you & your little ones started:

- Play cash register
- Play (or real) money
- Scale (postal or food)
- Music (soothing “musack”)
- Stickers (or stamps)
- Markers, pens, pencils
- Stamp pads and rubber stamps
- Mailing labels
- Stationery, cards, and envelopes
- Tape
- Boxes
- Packing materials (bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and brown craft paper)
- Telephone
- Canvas mail delivery bags and/or totes
- Junk mail
- Paper punches