Play therapy is a fantastic way to help kids work through their feelings and experiences. By using play as a tool, therapists create a safe and supportive environment for children to express themselves. Through play, children can develop important problem-solving skills, boost their self-esteem, and learn to build stronger relationships with others. Play therapy can also be effective in improving mental health and processing a range of emotions. If you have a child who’s struggling, play therapy could be helpful.
1. Play Dough Creations
Allow the child to create anything they desire with playdough. Ask them to describe their creation and share their thoughts and feelings about it. Due to the texture and pliability of play dough, kids can work through anger issues, behavior disorders, or other issues for stress relief.
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2. Role Playing
Role-playing helps students develop a sense of control. It is recommended to have children role-play a scenario that children might find to be a real-life problem. Make role-playing more engaging by providing dress-up clothes.
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3. Sand Tray Therapy
Sand play therapy for children can be very effective. It is an intervention that includes manipulating sand and small toys if preferred. Children can practice motor skills by digging motions and communicating how they are feeling while touching the sand.
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4. Feeling Emojis
Share different scenarios with students. This could be a statement or story depending on the content you want to focus on. Have students hold up the emoji that matches their feeling about the described scenario.
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5. Virtual Scavenger Hunt
Students will take turns spinning the wheel. They will find an item in their home or classroom that matches the topic from the wheel. This allows students to express their interests and bond with their counselor and peers.
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6. Coping Skills Game
This is a phenomenal resource that helps children improve their calming skills. They will learn strategies about how to stop their cloudy feelings before they turn into a tornado. I recommend this game to children who experience stressful events.
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7. Exploding Balloons
Ask each student to think of a specific occurrence that made them angry, but does not have them share it. Instead, they can blow air into a balloon. Continue this sequence until the balloon pops. This activity illustrates the effects of holding onto angry feelings and encourages students to express their emotions rather than bottling them up.
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8. Picture Study
Visualization activities are helpful for those that suffer from anxiety. Students will be told to study a provided image for about 30 seconds. Encourage children to use their imagination as they study the picture to mentally visualize a peaceful and relaxing space. They can use this technique when they feel anxious in the future.
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9. Interpretive Dancing
Dancing can be very therapeutic for all ages. This resource suggests teaching children about Hawaii and how the hula dance uses movements to tell stories. Allow your child to pick a song and create a dance that tells their story.
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10. Finish My Doodle
This imagination-based activity is helpful for play therapy. You will start drawing any shape or form. Then, you will ask your child or student to finish the drawing. They will surprise you with the fun artwork they can create.
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11. Writing Song Lyrics
Anyone can write lyrics to a song. It’s just like telling a story! You can provide children with background music that matches their interests and personal history. For example, if they like upbeat music, give them a fun pop track they can sing along to.
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12. Paint Gardening Pots
Art therapy is very effective in reducing stress. Children can focus on completing a task that may be relaxing for them. Provide students with gardening pots and paints. Encourage them to paint with colors that reflect how they feel.
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13. Coping Skills Bingo
Students will identify coping skills with this fun game of Bingo. As the skills are called, students will mark them off on their printed bingo cards. Students that have 5 in a row will win the round. I would recommend giving out stress balls or fidget toys as prizes.
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14. Color My Emotions
Colors are often associated with emotions. For this activity, students will match the emojis with the color that represents each one. For example, they may color the angry emoji with a red crayon.
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15. Explore Shaving Cream
Shaving cream therapy is beneficial for many reasons. If kids have sensory sensitivity, they may be uncomfortable at first. Provide plenty of time for children to become acclimated to the feeling. Drawing pictures or writing letters in shaving cream is also great for their motor skills.
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16. Hopes and Fears Tree
This activity helps children express themselves through a special form of communication. First, ask the child to draw a tree on poster board. The child will then write their dreams on the leaves. Under the tree, have the child write their fears on the paper worms.
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17. Water Bead Sensory Bin
This water bead sensory bin has a calming effect on children. The color blue is both peaceful and relaxing. Light shades of purple are known for reducing stress. You can add lavender extract to add a nice, relaxing aroma.
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18. Cosmic Kids Yoga
Yoga is a fantastic way to start the therapy process with young children. They will practice taking deep breaths, stretching, and learning a wide range of relaxation skills. Students will enjoy these interactive videos that guide them through the powerful movements of yoga.
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19. Chalk Art
This fun activity encourages children to show off their art skills using chalk. Students can be creative and draw a picture that represents a scene they’ve experienced or are looking forward to. Drawing with chalk can be a therapeutic activity that helps children relax.
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20. Lessons for the Soul
Mindfulness activities for children support emotional development and regulation. This packet includes several themed lessons including gratitude, contentment, self-love, relationships, and more. Students will practice journal writing, engage in meditations, and do fun crafts. Each lesson also includes an inspiring extension activity for students who are interested in further exploration.
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21. Finger Tracing Labyrinth
This activity is beneficial for students who need assistance with self-regulation. Students will use their pointer finger to trace the rainbow labyrinth; starting at the top and moving inward.
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22. Animal Walks Bundle
These animal-themed resources are essential for focus, self-regulation, body awareness, and deep breathing. Children can use these cards to take a brain break when they are feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated. They can also be used in a calming corner as a self-regulation tool.
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23. Fidget Spinner
My son cannot get enough fidget spinners! It’s very helpful to keep these on hand for stress-inducing scenarios. Whenever your kiddos feel agitated, playing with a fidget spinner can help redirect their focus and attention.
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24. Create Mandalas
Drawing and coloring mandalas are great for emotional and nervous system regulation. It can also have a positive impact on focus and draw attention to detail. When the mandala is complete, students can color it in. Coloring is also considered to be a therapeutic process.
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25. Make a Collage
Making a collage can help littles navigate the healing process. They can include pictures of loved ones or pets who may have passed and other sentimental items. Provide several materials of various textures to help students explore their senses.
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26. Foam Painting
Foam painting is a common art therapy technique. This therapy exercise requires students to get a little messy! If they have sensory sensitivity, introduce this concept slowly. Overall, it is helpful for motor skills, focus, and creativity.
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27. Playing with Pets
Pets can play a very important role in the life of a child. Children can talk to pets to let out their innermost thoughts. Children can share happy moments with pets while playing and exercising. If you are unable to own a pet, you can visit animals at a shelter.
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28. My Feelings Board Game
This board game is helpful for children to identify feelings. This game can be played at therapy sessions or at home with family or friends. It includes scenarios that require children to explore and discuss their feelings. Children will recognize feelings in themselves and others and learn how to cope appropriately.
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29. Create a Vision Board
A vision board requires students to think about what they value most. They may reflect on their family dynamics, friendships, future goals, and aspirations. Creating a vision board is an amazing way to use art therapy. Students will compile pictures, inspirational quotes or songs, and items to express themselves.
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30. Unicorn Breathing
This digital resource is super engaging for kids, especially those who are fans of unicorns. Molly the unicorn is the theme of this bundle. Students will read a story that provides them with ideas for deep breathing exercises.
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31. Fly a Kite
Flying a kite can be an effective method of relaxing. Teach your children the mechanics of kites and what makes them fly. I’m sure your little one will enjoy every minute of this therapeutic experience.
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32. Make Confetti
Tearing paper is an effective method of relieving stress. When your child is feeling angry, giving them paper to tear might be just what they need. Encourage them to make their own paper confetti out of the torn paper. They can throw it around as they feel comfortable.
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33. Rain Sticks
The sound of rain can be very relaxing and therapeutic. You will make two spirals out of aluminum foil and insert them into a paper towel roll. Pour in dried rice and cover the ends of the tube with colored paper and secure them closed with clear tape.
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34. Feelings in a Flash
This resource includes 100 cards to help students develop empathy and emotional intelligence. I would recommend using the prompt cards “How would you feel if…” and providing different situations for children to respond to with one of the feeling cards.
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35. Rainbow Game
This rainbow game can be played virtually or in a shared space. You will start playing the video that includes music that stops and starts. When the music stops, students will answer the question in the video.
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