Screen-free play
Ticket Office
Why Ticket Office works
Operate a ticket office where each customer needs the correct pretend ticket for a chosen destination. Ask the customer where they want to travel. Choose or mark a ticket that matches that destination.
Set up — Ask the customer where they want to travel
Prepare household items before the child is asked to ask the customer where they want to travel. Use the result of having the child ask the customer where they want to travel as the setup for the move into choose or mark a ticket that matches that destination. Keep props ordinary and safe, and do not copy real hazardous, medical, or emergency procedures while that starting condition is being established.
Step 2 — Choose or mark a ticket that matches that destination
Give the child time to choose or mark a ticket that matches that destination and notice the result. The following instruction to say the platform, gate or departure information aloud should use what they learned after previously trying to ask the customer where they want to travel.
Step 3 — Say the platform, gate or departure information aloud
Allow room for a mistake while the child tries to say the platform, gate or departure information aloud. A self-correction here is more useful than fast repetition before the child moves on to hand over the ticket and have the customer repeat the destination.
Step 4 — Hand over the ticket and have the customer repeat the destination
After the child tries to hand over the ticket and have the customer repeat the destination, ask one brief question about the result. Connect their answer to the next request to switch roles and let the child handle a customer with a different destination rather than explaining it for them.
Step 5 — Switch roles and let the child handle a customer with a different…
Have the child switches roles and let the child handle a customer with a different destination before offering a solution. What happens here should help them understand how to switch roles and let the child handle a customer with a different destination, especially compared with the earlier request to hand over the ticket and have the customer repeat the destination.
What to notice before Switch roles and let the child handle a…
Keep adult commentary light while the child works toward hand over the ticket and have the customer repeat the destination. Their own response should show whether the next pretend action follows from what the characters just did before the activity finishes with the request to switch roles and let the child handle a customer with a different destination.
Make Say the platform, gate or departure information… easier or harder
For younger or less confident players, use one role, one place, and one short problem before the step to say the platform, gate or departure information aloud. If the child asks for more, add a second responsibility, clue, customer, or consequence that must be handled in order and then return to the final request to switch roles and let the child handle a customer with a different destination.
Finish after Switch roles and let the child handle a…
Switch roles and let the child handle a customer with a different destination. Finish the activity there rather than repeating the same successful cycle. Continue with a different idea from the activity search or the activity generator.
What you need
- Household Items
How to play
- Ask the customer where they want to travel.
- Choose or mark a ticket that matches that destination.
- Say the platform, gate or departure information aloud.
- Hand over the ticket and have the customer repeat the destination.
- Switch roles and let the child handle a customer with a different destination.
Make it easier
In Ticket Office, when the full sequence is too much, do the setup and the next action, then finish. Keep “Ask the customer where they want to travel.” and “Choose or mark a ticket that matches that destination.” The activity still makes sense even without the remaining steps.
Make it harder
In Ticket Office, for the next level, let the child lead the middle section. The step that stays central is “Say the platform, gate or departure information aloud.” The last instruction remains the same check for success.
Play together
In Ticket Office, to make the handoff meaningful, let one partner perform the first step while the other is responsible for the middle step. Use “Ask the customer where they want to travel.” as the opening job and “Say the platform, gate or departure information aloud.” as the handoff point. In Ticket Office, a second round should use the opposite role split.
Two or more kids
In Ticket Office, with three or more people, have different players own the beginning, middle and finish. Keep “Switch roles and let the child handle a customer with a different destination.” as the common finish. In Ticket Office, only start a second cycle after every role has been used.
Skills practised
Communication, Role Play, Sequencing, Social Imagination
Safety
Use only safe household props. No real medicines, fire, hot food, sharp tools, money, keys, cords or inaccessible adult equipment; keep all risky actions purely pretend.
Supervision: Direct