Let's Play! Great Pretenders Dress Up Costumes Aid Child Development #Review + #Giveaway

With school being out for the summer, we are finding lots of fun opportunities to play and learn. B is attending playgroup at his preschool during select weeks this summer, but he is with me in the afternoons, and on the non-playgroup weeks. More and more, I am finding that he just wants to be with me, and play together. I have no problem being silly, so we spend our time creating new games, working on crafts and projects, enjoying music, playing outside, and playing pretend. I loved playing pretend with my sister when we were little, so it's no surprise that B loves it, as well. One of his favorite things to play is 'superhero,' and having the right dress up gear at home makes it easy to play pretend, anytime!

Great Pretenders knows a few things about how important it is to encourage kids to use their imaginations and play! As a mom, I know how important it is to encourage pretend play. It gives children a whole new avenue for expression. Great Pretenders was founded by a mom with a vision to come up with creative, pretend-play toys that would light up any child's imagination. Fast forward; her endeavours transcended into a vastly successful dress-up and costume business which manufactures award-winning toys – an innovative leader in the pretend-play market for children.

At Great Pretenders, it is believed that “dress-up” is so much more than just putting on a costume, as Oppenheim Toy Portfolio says:

“Pretend play is not just great fun. It’s the way kids develop imagination and creative thinking skills and try out being big and powerful. Pretending also brings the world down to the child’s size and understanding. It’s a way to develop communication skills and an outlet for expressing feelings and fears.”

We were excited to have the opportunity to team up with the kind folks over at Great Pretenders, who sent a very special surprise for a special little boy, who loves to play pretend.

We received this snazzy Bat Cape Set, complete with mask and cuffs!

The mask features a Batman style shape, with elastic, and the cuffs feature the Batman symbol, bat wing sides, and Velcro closures.

The cape is a double-sided black and yellow satin material, with a Velcro closure at the neck. The black side features a yellow bat.

Since B started attending school, he has been into playing Batman and Robin with his friends. They love to take turns being Batman. When at home, B can be Batman whenever he wants, along with his trusty sidekick- Bat Girl (mommy). B has some other superhero dress up costumes, but we have been making make-shift Batman costumes for some time. He was so delighted to come home from playgroup to find the Bat Cape Set waiting for him!

This super dude couldn't wait to get to protecting Gotham City!

B thought that Bat Cape was completely cool, and loves that he can switch it back and forth between the yellow side and the black side. The mask is fantastic! B loves the distinct Batman style mask, and loves to wear it wherever we go! The cuffs are a fun added bonus to this Bat Cape Set! He loves to put them on (he calls them his 'power cuffs') and fight crime!

The bravest, coolest Super Dude I know- B-Man!

I never know what sorts of superhero adventures our days will include. We have played superheroes outside, rescuing worms, we've played super hero balloon punch inside, we've read stories together in the bat cave, and B has even taken this dress up set over to Grammy and Papa's, as well as to Grandma's for even more superhero fun!

Even superheroes get into sticky situations sometimes, and this set is easy to wash and air-dry. Every superhero needs a clean suit! B's favorite thing to do, is to wear the costume out on our front porch at dusk, and watch the bats come out (there are a whole bunch living in a chimney of a house nearby), and fly around in circles in our neighborhood. We always have a clear view of them, and B holds the ends of the Bat Cape up and yells, 'Fly, bats... fly!' It's a silly sight, but it sure makes me smile. Plus, the bats keep the mosquito population down a bit, so it's a win-win.

I learn a lot about my child when we play together. I engage, and observe- taking note of the things my son says, especially. I witness him working through his own fears and anxieties, and step in or vocally add reassurance, when need be. More than anything, I can already see what a strong, caring leader my four-year-old is.

Details of the Bat Cape Set

Bat Cape Set with Mask and Wristbands, Sm

Item Number: US53292

This bat cape features a doubled satin weight- black on one side, and yellow on the other with a scalloped edge. Bat set includes a mask and cuffs. Get ready… Robin and batmobile not included!

(USD)$27.00

How Pretend Play Helps Children Learn

Pretending is important in child development. Through pretend play:

Children learn about themselves and the world.

Children work out confusing, scary, or new life issues.

Children develop important complex social and higher order thinking skills.

Children cultivate social and emotional intelligence.

Children synthesize knowledge and skills.

Make Time for Play

Make time: No material, environment, or story can take the place of uninterrupted time to play and explore ideas. Pretend play doesn’t fit nicely into twenty minute segments. Be okay with leaving a post office in the living room for a few days to allow your children to fully explore and enhance their creative explorations.

Check out even more great dress up accessories at Great Pretender, like...

Fairy Wings

Crystal Queen Dress

Pirate Set

Dragon Costume

Want it? Get it!

Why not add to or begin a new Dress Up Collection for your home or classroom? Great Pretenders has a variety of beauiful themed dress up costumes and accessories for creative little ones, in various sizes. Head to Great Pretenders to browse their entire line of costumes and more! You can also connect with Great Pretenders through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Want it? Win it!

One lucky MBP reader will win an Awesome Kapow Cape/Mask Set in Red/Blue from Great Pretenders! This giveaway is open to US & Canada, ages 18+. One entrant per household, please. Review our policies page for complete contest rules. MBP is not responsible for prize fulfillment. Just use the RC entry form below to enter for your chance to win!

Special thanks to Great Pretenders for encouraging us to use our imaginations and play pretend this summer, as well as offering this fun giveaway for our readers!

Good luck, and keep on pretending!