How to Build a Dress Up Trunk

Find or make a trunk. You can find great old trunks at flea markets, antique stores and garage sales which work perfectly for a dress-up trunk and usually only need a little cleaning. Trunks can also be purchased at stores like Sam's Club or Target for fairly low prices that evoke the idea of an old trunk from the attic. If you want, you can build your own trunk as well. There really are not any rules about how big a dress-up trunk is or what shape it has to be, so anything works fine, even a large box!

Find mix-and-match pieces for your dress-up trunk. The most versatile items in a dress-up trunk are the ones that can be used for many things. Many things can come from cleaning out your own closet or from a second-hand store. A useful assortment will have a suit jacket or blazer, a few different color pants, several skirts in at least three different lengths, different types of shirts (button-down suit shirts, blouses, tunics, etc.), different kinds of dresses, vests, and a coat or two (a trench coat is always useful).

Add costumes and costume pieces to your dress-up trunk. Any old Halloween costumes can be added to the trunk to begin with. Other useful pieces to have are superhero capes (always have more than one), jumpsuits (oversized, to fit over clothes), princess dresses, old wedding gowns, old uniform pieces, graduation or wizard robes, and anything else that your child enjoys dressing up in. Capes and cloaks of all shapes and sizes are always useful.

Include lots of pieces to accessorize outfits. Make sure the dress-up trunk has plenty of shoes (kids' costume shoes and old shoes of yours that you're willing to let them have). Hats are another must. Include as wide a variety of hats as you want. Caps, uniform hats, helmets, costume piece hats, cowboy hats and old-fashioned hats are all great additions to a dress-up trunk. Include at least one apron. Neckties, scarfs and shawls (or large pieces of fabric that can be used as shawls) are also important. Gloves of all kinds (both formal and winter) are great as well.

Put a jewelry box in the dress-up trunk. You can use an actual jewelry box if you wish, or you can create a jewelry box for the trunk. A shoe box is perfect, but a plastic container also works well. Inside the jewelry box put costume jewelry, plastic rings, fake pearls, plastic flowers, hair clips, shoe clips, clip-on earrings and anything else you want to include. Sheriff's badges are a great inclusion as well.

Add some props to truly complete your dress-up trunk. Include some purses, a plastic sword, a wand or two and anything else you think might be fun. Old wooden spoons are great for playing house, and plastic handcuffs are great for pretend policemen. Baskets are always useful. Even a tea set can be included in the dress-up trunk if you want.