Toddler Takeover | Weekdays thru October 2
Toddler Takeover | Weekdays thru October 2
At DCM, children will be learning about culture through play! One of the most basic ways people connect with other cultures is through food.
Cook. Serve. Pretend. Play! Step into a playful kitchen filled with opportunities to pretend. In A Taste of East Asia, children can take on different roles as chefs, servers, and diners while using their imaginations to create their own food-filled adventures.
Dish up pretend bibimbap, roll yourself into sushi, steam dumplings, stir-fry vegetables, and climb into a giant noodle bowl! Children can prepare, cook, and serve pretend food using real utensils while experimenting with cooking methods like steaming, grilling, and stir-frying.
Whether they’re preparing a meal for their family, running a pretend restaurant, or simply exploring a giant bowl of noodles, children can follow their imaginations and create their own stories through pretend play.
Pretend play gives children a chance to try on different roles, make decisions, tell stories, and explore the world through their own ideas. When children become the chef, server, customer, or restaurant owner, they’re practicing communication, cooperation, creativity, and problem-solving—all while having fun.
At DuPage Children’s Museum, imagination isn’t just part of the play. It’s a powerful way to learn.
Younger Children
Younger children can explore the textures, colors, shapes, and scents throughout the kitchen. Scooping, stirring, serving, and carrying pretend ingredients offer opportunities to practice early fine motor skills while beginning to experiment with pretend play.
Older Children
Older children may create elaborate meals, take on different roles, and develop stories around their play. They can practice sequencing as they prepare and “cook” food, collaborate with others, and use language to negotiate roles and communicate their ideas.
Play Together
Ask questions like:
You can also let your child be the chef and take your order!