Our collective love of Target has been going strong for years now, and we've seen people pay homage to the brand in all sorts of ways. They've taken their engagement photos inside Target and even themed their kid's birthdays after the store. But one teacher has gone the extra mile with her appreciation. Theresa Yarber of Nashville, Tennessee, recently created a mini Target inside her classroom that lets kids play pretend in a place that they already know and love.
Yarber explained that although she's made many play spaces in her classroom over the years, this one has certainly gotten the most attention.
Yarber told Target that she decided to decorate her preschool classroom like one of their stores as a way to get her students excited about coming to school every day.
“My goal as a teacher is to have the kids say they can’t wait to get to school because it’s so fun, and I knew this would be a great place to start,” she explained. “I love Target and the kids love Target.”
The play space includes all the classic Target accouterments: price scanners, carts, and even classic Target team member shirts!
The space also includes a mini Starbucks kitchen. (You know, for when the little ones need to fuel up on some decaf before strolling the aisles.)
“A little girl put her dog in the cart, walked through the dollar bins with her grande latte and I was like, ‘Are you doing some shopping?’ and she said, ‘No, I’m just browsing.’ And that’s when it really came alive,” Yarber said. “Kids, imagination, and a couple of everyday things. That’s all you need.”
Yarber said that she thinks the space has been such a success because kids can mimic the everyday things they see their own parents do.
Sometimes, all it takes is a simple idea to really let little imaginations fly.
"It gives them a glimpse into being grown-up," Yarber explained. "You have to deal with other people, be friendly to the people serving you coffee, you have to share things."
Yarber often comes up with ideas for her classroom decor a month or two before she gets to work, but when she landed on the miniature Target idea, she looked online to get inspired.
"I absolutely love it because I can be so creative with it,” she shared.
Yarber said she spent time looking for ideas on Pinterest and then asked friends, family, and neighbors if they would contribute materials so she could get to building her miniature store.
Yarber said that her biggest piece of advice to other teachers looking to mix it up is to ask themselves "What do your students enjoy?”
So far, the reaction to Yarber's classroom has been extremely positive.
"People have been super excited about the Target space," she said, adding that she hopes the popularity of her project can help other teachers create fun spaces for their own students.
“Let [your students] be your guide," she advised. "Target was a great opportunity because that was something everyone was familiar with, and then I just went from there.”
She also suggested that when coming up with a play space idea, little details can make all the difference.
“But really, whatever you choose, just give kids the opportunity to run with it and their imaginations will take off!" she said. "Bullseye is just a box and a balloon — that’s all it takes and they were thrilled with it. You don’t have to spend a ton of money or [have] a bunch of stuff. That’s the big thing."
TBH, even though we know we can drive ourselves to the adult-sized Target any time we want, we're a little jealous of the kids who get up this adorable miniature version every day at school. (Those tiny red shopping carts! Be still our hearts.)
