THE IDEA.

Inspired by Parisian Patisserie: roll a croissant, draw a menu and welcome the first customer. Leave a little space for the unexpected. The best part might be the bit you never planned.

YOU’LL NEED.

  • Age-appropriate playdough
  • A rolling pin or a chunky dough tool
  • Paper and crayons for a picture menu
  • A small reusable plate

LET THEM…

  1. Roll the dough into ropes and curl them into swirls, or shape a little pretend croissant. There is no perfect pastry.
  2. Draw the pastries on a paper menu. Let them choose a name for their patisserie and arrange the counter.
  3. Order a pastry and become their first customer. Then hand over the shop: who arrives next, and what will they ask for?

WHY KIDS LOVE IT.

The making has somewhere to go. A pastry becomes an order, an order becomes a conversation, and a small shop becomes a whole afternoon.

These pastries are pretend, not food. Playdough is not advised for children under three; check ingredient and allergy information and supervise play.