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In this K-2 activity, drama educator and author Sam Marsden will introduce you to structured dramatic play with four activities, two improvisation games, and immersive journeys. These activities offer children the chance to cocreate stories, explore through play, and express their creativity, all while developing essential social and emotional skills.
In this resource, drama educator and author Sam Marsden will introduce you to structured dramatic play with four activities, two improvisation games, and immersive journeys. These activities offer children the chance to cocreate stories, explore through play, and express their creativity, all while developing essential social and emotional skills.
Sam describes her classroom implementation experience with the games and offers strategies for creating a safe and boundaried space for creative freedom. She’ll take you through each exercise and the resources you’ll need. Sam finishes by sharing all the reasons play matters.
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Sam Marsden is a seasoned drama educator and author who has spent her career helping students discover the power of performance. With years of classroom experience, she now writes practical guides on how to weave drama into everyday learning, making lessons more engaging, expressive, and meaningful across subjects. You can explore more of Sam's books and works on her website.
Before the play can begin, the space must feel safe. Young children thrive on structure and consistency. In drama sessions with young children, where the imaginative world can get a little too lively, I like to set boundaries and expectations regularly to keep on top of classroom management. Here are some that have worked well for me, to get you started:
With early years and props, less is more; imagination does the heavy lifting. For example, you can turn a simple chair into a throne, a spaceship control seat, a pirate captain’s seat, a time machine, an animals nest, Santa’s sleigh, a hairdresser’s chair, a thinking chair (where you go to create big ideas), or a wish chair (where you make a wish that the class will act out).
Children don’t need perfect costumes or realistic sets. They’ll turn a scarf into a superhero cape or a wooden spoon into a magic wand. Props can act as springboards into imaginative play. Here are two games from my book, Drama Games for Early Years (4–7 Years), that you can play.
After playing a warm-up game, or two, it can be great to take your students on an immersive journey. Here’s how:
“Going on a Journey” is a great, immersive activity: The teacher takes the children on an imaginary journey by using narration, props, sound effects, sometimes music, and teacher-in-role. Teacher-in-role involves the teacher becoming a character to engage the students. A simple prop, such as a scarf, and splash of acting will help with this. For example, you might become an air hostess, a jungle explorer guide, or a ticket inspector. Try exploring this destination with students first:
Many destinations work for going on a journey, including the following:
Music brings an instant atmosphere. A gentle piano track can become a magical ice castle. Drumming can be the beat of approaching pirates. Music supports transitions and can shift the emotional tone of the session in seconds. Music gives children nonverbal ways to express themselves and explore different emotions and energy levels. Pairing music with storytelling deepens the sensory experience and helps children connect with mood and narrative flow.
Here is a simple exercise from my book Drama Games for Early Years (4-7 Years), in which students create new lands and characters with music. You can access a playlist I’ve put together on Spotify.
Through play, children develop language, build relationships, and explore and make sense of the world around them. Structured, dramatic play offers an intentional space for this exploration. By giving children enough structure in which to feel safe and enough freedom to be brave, we empower them to take creative risks, solve problems, and express emotion. We give them space to laugh, invent, connect, and discover the power of their own voices.
Play matters because childhood matters. Imagination is not a distraction from learning; it’s at the heart of it. Play allows children to be children. Through structured play, we light a path on which imagination, connection, and true learning can thrive. When play and childhood lead the way, a love for learning is planted, minds are opened, and imaginations are strengthened. We have no idea what kind of a world our young students will live in as they grow older, but whatever lies ahead, emotional intelligence, imagination, and problem-solving will be essential.
Writer
Sam Marsden
Copy Editor
Sandra Frey
Updated
July 24, 2025
Producers
Eric Friedman and JoDee Scissors
In this 3-12 activity, drama educator and author Sam Marsden will introduce you to “actioning,” with an Action Toolbox of action verbs that brings scenes to life. You can use this Action Toolbox for scripted work, improvisations, or analysis of a text.
In this K-12 activity, drama educator and author Sam Marsden will introduce you to improvisation with an “Improv Toolbox” of engaging activities. She highlights SEL connections and key skills developed through improv. Sam finishes with three engaging games designed for students of all ages who are ready to explore the world of improvisation.
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