Makeup and Dress Up Games

Why Kids Love to Play Dress Up

Young children learn best by imitating. When preschoolers and elementary school kids dress up as adults and act out the many roles adults take, they are learning about the world around them and helping form their own identities. Tweens and teens are trying to find their own way in the world. These games allow them to temporarily try on new identities.

Dress Up Game Ideas

Makeup games do not need to be elaborate. In fact, most young kids are happy with paper bag masks and sock gloves! Simple costumes and unstructured free play are often enough to create fun and educational makeup and dress up games. As long as they can pretend to be someone else, the kids are happy.

Mom and Dad for the Day

Kids look up to the adults in their lives. Let them walk in your shoes - literally. Bring out your old clothes, shoes, hats, and costume jewelry. It will be a great opportunity to share a few laughs with your children. By reminiscing with your kids, you are creating new memories that will last a lifetime. Just be sure to supervise the kids as oversized clothing and shoes can pose safety hazards.

Glamour Dress Up

Kids love to feel glamorous. You can find costume jewelry, makeup, glittery tops, and feather boas at most Dollar Stores. Provide an assortment of belts, ties, scarves, purses, and hats for accessorizing.

Princess Dress Up

Who wouldn't like to be royalty? Princess items are available online and at most grocery stores, toy stores, and department stores. Many Dollar Stores also carry plastic crowns, jewelry, makeup, and magic wands. For some Princess games, songs, and craft ideas, read Princess Birthday Party.

Commercial Makeup and Dress Up Games

If you prefer to buy your child's and dress up games, there are several available at department stores and toy stores, as well as online. These sets make great birthday gifts:

Fairy and Princess Dress Up Sets

• Barbie Fairytopia Dress Up Set (ages 3 and up)
• Barbie Dress Up Trunk with Accessories (ages 3 and up)
• Disney Princess Dress Up Costume (ages 3-5)

Career Dress Up Sets

• Teacher Dress Up Set (ages 3-7)
• Chef Dress Up Set (ages 3-7)
• Doctor Dress Up Set (ages 3-7)
• Police Officer Dress Up Set (ages 3-7)

Online Makeup and Dress Up Games

Today most everything can be done online, including playing dress up. These online games feature various characters, avatars, and faces. Kids have options for making up or dressing up the characters. Common options include:

• Eye Colors
• Hair Colors
• Eye Shapes
• Hair Styles
• Skin Colors
• Freckles
• Lips
• Facial Hair
• Glasses
• Hats
• Makeup
• Jewelry
• Clothing

With a touch of the mouse or a click of a button, kids can completely makeover their favorite characters.

Makeup Websites

Several web sites offer makeup and dress up games for kids. These include:

• Dress Up Games -- Huge directory of online dress-up and makeover games, divided into many categories.
• Dress Up Mr. Hairyface -- Nick Jr. allows young kids to makeover Mr. Hairyface. Kids choose between several hats and types of facial hair to give Mr. Hairyface new disguises.
• Secret Agent Dress Up -- KidsCom.com allows kids to help disguise the Secret Agent. Available disguises include different hairstyles, masks, glasses, and facial hair. Kids just drag and click to create different looks.
• Fairy and Doll Dress-up -- On Kakidoll.com, kids can dress up Little Wing or Kaki Doll. Kids choose between various crowns, dresses, shoes, and hair. Kids just double click and then drag and drop to dress the dolls.
• Virtual Model -- Older girls will enjoy creating a virtual model at GirlSpace.com. Tweens and teens can choose hair color, eye color, and clothing to create their cyberspace clones. The site requires a free registration.
• Even the Cabbage Patch Kids have joined in the dress up craze.

Summary

Makeup and dress up games can be as simple or as elaborate as you choose. They can be as simple as pulling out your trunk of old clothes and parading around dressed as an adult. They can be as elaborate as store-bought costumes, makeup, and jewelry. The main ingredient necessary is imagination. With imagination and creativity, anything available can be a great fantasy game for your kids.