When I was a child I spend a lot of time at my grandparent's house. And I had wonderful grandparents who always had time for me and spend a lot of time playing with me.
One of grandpa's and my favourite game was "Heidi und Clara". It is based on a comic series about a little girl who lives with his granddad in Switzerland in the alps, actually on a mountain.
And that girl has a friend, called Clara. Clara is disabled. She cannot walk but Heidi and her are best
friends. And sometimes Clara visits Heidi on the mountain - and yes, sometimes it's the other way round. It's a nice series for kids and I loved it!
So my grandpa had to sit under our stairs because there we could build a hat and played "Heidi und Clara". My Clara actually was a huge doll (bigger than I was those days) who could walk - at least first she could ;-). We spend many hours under the stairs and my granddad got a beer or two while sitting in front of the heating with blankets and pillows. So yes, pretended play was always "something" I loved! So why not play "Lemonade Stand"?
Introduction: More Than Just Play
You might think a pretend lemonade stand is just a cute setup for a rainy afternoon (or a sunny day outside!) —but it’s so much more than that.
Dramatic play like this gives kids the freedom to imagine, learn, and explore real-world skills in a fun, hands-on way.
With a printable lemonade stand setup, you don’t need fancy props—just print, cut, and create. Whether you're a parent looking for screen-free entertainment, a teacher planning a classroom center, or a homeschooler wanting to weave in life skills, this activity is packed with benefits.
Here are 7 essential skills your child builds while pouring imaginary lemonade and collecting pretend coins. I guess though there are many more!
1. Early Math Skills
From counting pretend coins to pricing cups of lemonade, your child is introduced to basic math concepts like:
Addition & subtraction (2 cups = 1 + 1!)
Sorting coins or fake money
Making change during pretend transactions
Tip: Add a price list to the stand and encourage kids to add up multiple “orders” for older learners. (It's included in the Printable!)
2. Communication & Social Interaction
Running a stand means talking to "customers"—parents, siblings, stuffed animals, or friends. Through this, kids:
Practice polite conversation
Take turns in conversations
Role-play problem-solving when “customers” make requests
Bonus: It’s a great confidence booster for shy kids!
3. Writing & Literacy Development
Your printable kit can include:
Menus to read and “write” on
Order forms for pretend play
Signs and labels to recognize and use words
Even early scribbling has a purpose here—it mimics real-world writing!
4. Creativity & Imagination
From naming their lemonade flavors to decorating their booth, kids can:
Invent new “drinks” (strawberry-mint, anyone?)
Make up stories about running their stand
Create decorations using craft materials or your printable extras
Printable Tip: Include blank signs or menus for kids to personalize.
5. Teamwork & Collaboration
When more than one child plays, they naturally start dividing tasks:
One takes orders
Another pours “drinks”
Someone manages the cash box
They negotiate, share, and collaborate—all essential social-emotional skills.
6. Responsibility & Clean-Up
After the fun is over, it’s clean-up time. Kids learn to:
Organize props
Store the printable pieces
Take care of play materials
This helps reinforce responsibility and respect for their space.
7. Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving
What if two customers want the last lemonade? What if the cash drawer doesn’t add up?
These little dilemmas teach kids to think critically and come up with solutions in the moment—an amazing real-life skill!
Ready to Play? Download Your Lemonade Stand Printable Kit!
If you're ready to see your child play, learn, and grow through something as sweet and simple as a lemonade stand, grab our printable kit today. It includes:
- Banner with "Lemonade Stand"
- Lemonade "Order here" Poster
- Lemonade Price list
- Sales Tracker
- Lemonade Posters for Advertisement
Click here to download the printable Lemonade Stand kit now!
Make the Most of It: Add Some Props!
Want to take it up a notch? Add:
- Plastic cups*
- Play money or real coins (you can find play money here*)
- A small table (any table will work) or cardboard box stand
- Lemons*, straws*, or fake flowers for a fun touch
Take some photos and tag me on Pinterest or Instagram—I’d love to feature your lemonade stand in action!
This printable kit is totally free! Sign up for my newsletter here and you get a link and password to "The Library" where you can download the Lemonade Stand Printable totally free!
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