In our current culture, there seems to come a point in time in every little girl’s life where it is very difficult to resist the influence and the appeal of princesses. Darah’s interest started around 2 1/2, and by now (3 3/4) she is decidedly into all things pink, sparkly and royal. As a feminist, I certainly have some concerns and reservations about this interest, and find myself flinching when my daughter asks me if she is pretty like a princess. But ultimately, Tim and I both have decided to “lean in” to this season of life and let her have her princess fun, all while doing our part to showcase the positive attributes of the characters she seeks to emulate, and give very little attention to surficial beauty.
Darah is head-over-heels already for Ariel and Rapunzel, and her latest Disney princess interest is Belle from Beauty and the Beast. She recently received a Belle costume to play in, and I have been creating a Disney princess dress up game for her when she wears it. She loves nothing more to pretend that she is a princess, but I am working to expand her idea about what it means to be each character.
Disney princess dress up game: Belle
In the case of Belle, when she dresses up as her we do the following things:
1. Go to her library of books in her room and get SUPER excited about all the adventures waiting for her inside the pages. Belle was an avid fan of literature, so it is imperative that we READ if we are pretending to be her.
2. Seek out her stuffed animals that may not be as lovable looking at first glance. Eloi, Maggie, hippo and others are given special attention by Belle and are invited to tea parties. We talk about how wonderful each of her stuffed friends is, not because of how they look, but because of how kind they each are. Belle was not concerned with outward appearances, and that’s a trait of a princess that I would LOVE for Darah to emulate.
3. Have snowball fights. The character trait we learn about here is simple: a spirit of joy! Princesses need not be afraid of a little spontaneous fun (and quite frankly, that’s a lesson I still need to learn, myself).
To those of you out there with little girls who are into princesses, do you have any special Disney princess dress up games you play? Any tips for highlighting those positive character traits that can be found in every princess?
I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
Rachel says
I would love for my nieces to emulate royalty like Kate Middleton, but alas they always want to be the Disney princess. But this is a wonderful idea. I love the fact that you are packing life lessons into your play time. It’s always hard to find the best way to teach through play, but I think this is a great mixture.
Tiffany Merritt says
Thanks so much! I try to just roll with whatever she is interested in, and pepper it with some of the lessons I want to make sure she’s getting in addition!
Laura P says
Love your ideas here! What a great way to still incorporate princesses but teach other valuable character traits. I’m definitely going to think of some similar activities to do with my little girl!
Tiffany Merritt says
So glad you liked it! I want to come up with other similar ideas for the other princess, too!
Mary Dailey says
It makes me happy to see the granddaughters dressing up in costumes and pretending. I love that they are using their imaginations.
Laura Jacobson says
Oh how fun! I LOVE the snowball fight idea! Kayla loves anything princess too, and so funny but she always wants to find the oldest stuffed animals…and love them!
desiree says
it loo like the little one is having fun and that all it count
Jerri Davis says
What a Beautiful Girl Princess. Thank you. Jerri Davis
Lacey says
My 2 year old daughter LOVES to dress up. We have Belle & Rapunzel costumes. But, she gets into character even when she’s not dressed up. Most mornings, as soon as she wakes up she introduces herself, lol. Usually it’s “Hi Mom, its me, Mermaid (or Belle, or Aurora….). Now she also tells you what princess you are as well. She absolutely loves having tea parties. She’s so much fun <3
Tiffany Merritt says
Darah is the same way! She is almost always Ariel, and depending on how naughty or nice I have been that day, she tells me if I’m Flounder, Sebastian or Ursula.
No comment on how often I’m Ursula…;-)
jamie braun says
oh my, I WANT this! my daughter’s name is Isabel and we collect every Belle! and she just loves dress up games, so this is so very perfect!
Vickie Couturier says
my grandaughters love to play princess dress up,,an they are so cute doing that,I love watching them
Janet W. says
She’s a cute princess! My daughters actually never liked dressing up when they were younger. And now I have grandsons, but they aren’t old enough yet to want to be superheroes or anything. I’m sure the day is coming!
Ashley Morrissey says
How adorable! No daughter but I use to do the same when I was younger 🙂
Kristin says
I love how you’re emphasizing the positive qualities that you want to develop with Darah. As the mother of three girls, I’ve learned that there is no way to head off the fascination with princesses (or if there is, I certainly haven’t found it). It does pass—my 7 year old is past the phase—and I agree that it’s important to make it much more than “princesses are pretty and marry princes.” My three year olds like Merida, and we practice having courage and saying kind things to others.
Tiffany Merritt says
Yes, I’ve heard that it will pass sooner than I might think…some say as early as 5, but I’m thinking 6 or 7.
How did you introduce your girls to Brave? I’ve watched it but wasn’t sure how my 3 year old would react to all the bear stuff. Any tips? Because I think there are some great lessons in the movie!
JL Lawson says
This brings back so many memories for me. My Mom used to play dress up with me all the time when I was in grade school. Being an only girl, dress up time or an afternoon tea party was very special for me.
Tiffany Merritt says
I have similar memories. My mom would get out the real china for tea parties. It was so nice!