Envelopes, typically seen as mundane office supplies, can be surprisingly versatile and engaging loose parts. Envelopes not only encourage imaginative play but also offer a hands-on introduction to basic literacy concepts, making them a valuable addition to play environments.

Providing different sizes, shapes, and colors of envelopes makes them even more enjoyable. Then again, kids can decorate plain white envelopes in their preferred style.

Over the years, I’ve seen envelopes used to:

• Send secret messages between participants during complex and mysterious dramatic play scenarios
• Store tiny, tiny bits of handmade confetti, chopped carefully with scissors in the art area
• Secure a lost tooth and make sure it made it home for the Tooth Fairy to find
• Store other envelopes in an envelope-based nesting doll creation
• Contain handwritten notes to me outlining other children’s misuse of envelopes

This shouldn’t come as a surprise; envelopes are also very popular props in enveloping schema play since envelopes are good at enveloping.

One final note: envelopes plus outside equals brand new adventures. The change of scenery sparks creativity.

Envelopes At Play

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