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Role play in kindergarten: town play with traffic, fire station and police

In role play the children step into a role: firefighter, police officer, bus driver or the person who lives in the house. A wooden town gives the play a place to happen, and it can be used both as free play and as part of a theme about traffic, rescue work and everyday life. Here are five games and ten story starters for the room or the after-school club.

The games are based on Crateit Town, which is recommended for ages 5-9. The product pages say the sets may be used from age 3, and that children up to age 5 assemble them together with an adult. In kindergarten the adults therefore build, and the children colour and play.

The Fire Station, Crateit wooden toyThe Fire StationSee the set
The Police Station, Crateit wooden toyThe Police StationSee the set

Getting it ready

Five games for the room

1. The alarm goes off

The Fire Station has 72 pieces and 3 wooden vehicles. An adult or a child calls in a fire, and the children work out who drives out and who stays at the station. Swap roles along the way, so the one who was the firefighter becomes the one who needs rescuing.

2. The patrol comes home

The Police Station has 80 pieces and 3 wooden vehicles, and the station has both a jail and a lookout tower. Let the children decide what has happened in the town today and who is on watch in the tower. Our blog about role play with firefighters and police has more ideas for getting the game going.

3. Traffic in the town (traffic theme)

Rule the Roundabout is a roundabout with approaches, 24 pieces and a car. Put road signs along the road, and let the children try out the rules you are working on in the theme: who goes first, who waits, and what happens when everyone drives at once? Also read traffic rules for children.

4. Draw the map first

Let the children draw the town on a big sheet of paper before it is built: where does the station go, where does the road run, and where is a sign needed? Afterwards they build the town from their own map, and the map can hang on the wall as part of the theme. Wooden car tracks shows how a track can be planned on paper.

5. Keep building together

The Crateit Town sets fit together across sets. Start with one station, and add a road or a garage when the play calls for it, so the whole room gets to build on the same town. Vista Villa and Crossroad Cottage are small garages with 10 and 11 pieces, so they are easy to add.

Ten story starters

Read one of them aloud and let the children carry on the story with figures and vehicles:

  • A hat has gone missing in the town. Who has it?
  • The alarm goes off, but nobody can see where the fire is.
  • The bus has stopped in the middle of the roundabout.
  • A new sign has been put up, and nobody knows what it means.
  • The police officer has lost the key to the tower.
  • A teddy is stuck on the roof of the garage.
  • It is the station's birthday, and everyone needs a job.
  • The road is blocked, and a new route has to be found.
  • A visitor has come to town who does not know where to go.
  • Night is falling, and the station has to close down.

What does Crateit say about the value?

Crateit's product pages say that the sets strengthen social skills in role play, and that colouring trains fine motor skills. That is Crateit's own description of the products, not a study. What role play means for your group of children is for you to judge from your professional experience. Our blog about pretend play for children describes how children play out everyday life.

For your institution

Do you want to use Crateit in a kindergarten, after-school club or early primary school? Read about Wooden toys for kindergartens, and write to sales@crateit.toys about what you need, and we will get back to you.

If you are a retailer with an account, log in at Crateit B2B. If you want to sell Crateit, you can apply to become a retailer.

Frequently asked questions

What age are the sets for?

Crateit Town and Crateit Roomies are recommended for ages 5-9. The product pages say the sets may be used from age 3, and that children up to age 5 assemble them together with an adult. The age is shown on each product page.

How much space do we need?

The Fire Station measures 60 × 28 cm assembled, the Police Station 74 × 29 cm and Rule the Roundabout 80 × 100 cm. Measure the table or the floor rug before you start.

Can the sets be used together?

Yes. The Crateit Town sets fit together across sets, and Roomies can be combined with Crateit Town, so the dollhouse becomes part of the town.

How do we assemble the sets, and can we get the guide again?

The parts click together without glue or tools, and an assembly guide is included. If the guide is lost, all Crateit assembly guides can be downloaded as PDF on the page Assembly guides.

Do we need markers?

The sets come in uncoloured wood. Crateit markers come with a 1 mm and a 3 mm tip and colour with acrylic paint. They go on layer by layer, so the children can colour over them again when the play changes.

How does our institution order?

Write to sales@crateit.toys about what you need, and we will get back to you. Read more on the page Wooden toys for kindergartens.