How to Make a Pretend Brochure

Pretend brochures can be a fun addition to any pretend play. They can be used by children for imaginary restaurant menus, make-believe travel brochures, or when pretending to teach school. Pretend brochures can include large, simple wording to help encourage literacy while children play with them. The possibilities are endless. It is easy to create and print your own pretend brochures right on your computer.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Microsoft Word program
• Printer

Instructions

1. 

   Open Microsoft Word on your computer and start a new file. To do this, click on the word "File" at the top of the screen, then select "New." Another way to open a new file is to click on the blank piece of paper icon, located at the very upper left-hand side of the screen.

2. 

   Select the font type at the top of the screen. Different fonts can be downloaded and added to Microsoft Word, otherwise use the standard fonts included with the program. Next to the font types is a drop-down box to select the font size. Size 12 is the standard font size, but use a larger font size so children can easily read the pretend brochure.

3. 

   Set up the format of the pretend brochure. At the top of the screen, click on the word "Format," then select "Columns." A window will appear that will allow you to select multiple columns for your brochure. For a bifold pretend brochure, select two columns. For a trifold brochure, select three columns. Pretend menus work well using many columns.

4. 

   Type the text into the pretend brochure. Since the body of the document is already formatted using your selected column number, the text will automatically be seen inside columns as you type. Use easy-to-read, simplified wording that children can read with little effort. This can encourage literacy and make children feel they are successful readers.

5. 

   Print your pretend brochure on your printer. To do this, click on "File," then select "Print Preview." A window will appear asking if you would like the document to be fitted to the screen. Select "Yes" by clicking on the check box. Decide on whether you would like the document to be printed in landscape or portrait format, then click "OK." Your document will begin to print.