Are you looking for ways to support your child through emotional struggles? Discover 21 play-based activities to help children express their feelings, explore big emotions and build emotional awareness through fun and supportive play at home.
Many children struggle to explain what they’re feeling.
And when they can’t explain — those emotions can sometimes come out through behavior. Tears, frustration, withdrawal, or meltdowns seem to appear from nowhere. Getting to the bottom of what’s going on can feel impossible.
Play, however, can offer children an enjoyable, low-pressure way to explore and express their feelings, particularly when finding the right words is difficult.
That’s because play is a natural way for children to communicate and explore their world. As adults, we tend to talk through our experiences. But children don’t always find it easy to put their feelings into words. For some, play, imagination art and movement can offer additional ways to express themselves.
This is one of the principles that underpins play therapy, an approach in which trained therapists provide a supportive therapeutic relationship and a space for children to express themselves through play.
While formal play therapy is delivered by trained professionals, ideas drawn from play therapy can also inspire simple, supportive activities at home.
These activities aren’t about turning playtime into therapy or trying to uncover the hidden meaning behind your child’s behaviour. They’re about offering opportunities for emotional expression, understanding and connection in everyday family life
In this guide, I’ll share 21 play therapy-inspired activities you can explore with your child. They’re not a replacement for professional support when it’s needed, but they can offer gentle ways to make space for feelings and strengthen your connection with your child.
Here’s what we’ll cover…
Often what children are feeling underneath the behavior isn’t immediately obvious…
What is Play Therapy?
Play therapy is an approach in which trained therapists use play within a therapeutic relationship to support children experiencing emotional or behavioural difficulties.
During regular sessions, children are given opportunities to express themselves in ways that may be difficult to put into words. Within the supportive relationship, a trained play therapist may develop a better understanding of a child’s experiences and feelings over time. However, individual play behaviours or choices don’t have one fixed meaning and shouldn’t be interpreted in isolation.
Feeling heard, accepted and understood can help children explore difficult feelings and develop new ways of coping.
Some of the activities in this guide are inspired by ideas and approaches associated with play therapy. However, doing a play-based activity at home is not the same as providing play therapy. But please do remember- these activities are intended to support emotional expression and connection between you and your child, rather than to replicate the therapeutic process.
Why Play-Based Activities Can Support Children’s Emotional Wellbeing
Play-based activities can offer children different ways to express themselves, explore ideas and practise skills in a supportive environment. Depending on the child and the activity, play may provide opportunities to:
- Express feelings they don’t yet have words for
- Explore confusing or overwhelming experiences
- Develop confidence and self-awareness
- Explore different ways of managing big feelings
- Practice problem-solving and self-control
- Build an understanding of emotion
As a parent, you are in a unique position – because you know your child best. Everyday moments of play can offer opportunities to connect, show interest in your child’s experiences, support their emotional world and make space for feelings without the pressure of having to explain everything in words.
21 Play Therapy-Inspired Activities to Help Children Express Their Emotions
These activities can be adapted for a range of ages, from 3 to 12. Choose ideas that suit your child’s developmental stage, interests and preferences, and feel free to simplify, adapt or skip any activity.
Remember, the goal isn’t to “fix” your child. It’s to create moments where they feel safe enough to express what’s going on inside.
1 The weather forecast check-in
Invite your child to pick a type of weather that matches how they feel. Perhaps they feel sunny or stormy or like a whirlwind. Benefit: Using weather as a metaphor can give children a playful way to describe their feelings. Some children find it easier to choose an image or symbol than to answer a direct question. Their choice might open up a conversation, but it’s important not to jump to conclusions about what you think it means. Let your child decide what their chosen weather represents and remember that they don’t have to explain their choice if they don’t want to. You can try this activity using other things too, such as different types of transport or colors.
For a printable version of this for your child to draw on, you’ll find a Weather Emotions Check-In page in the free Crazy Beautiful Emotional Toolkit.
2 Magic wand wishes
Give your child a toy wand, or invite them to make an imaginary one, and ask what wishes they would make. Let them know they can share as many or as few wishes as they like. Benefit: Inviting a child to make wishes can encourage imagination and conversation. Sometimes their answers may offer an opportunity to learn more about what matters to them. At other times, their wishes may simply be playful or imaginative. Listen with curiosity, rather than jumping to conclusions, and let your child decide how much they want to share.
3 Emotions ball play
Create a set of emotions cards – or use the ones in the Crazy Beautiful toolkit. Then take turns to throw a ball back and forward with your child. When someone drops it, invite them to choose an emotion card and talk about a time they felt that way. Alternatively, they could make up a story about a character experiencing that emotion, or simply name the emotion without giving a personal example. Let your child pass whenever they wish. Benefit: Rhythmically attuned moments such as ball tossing, are known to break down defensiveness. It can create a small safe place where children connect and open up more freely. This activity blows me away at times, by the way it helps some of the most guarded kids open up.
4 Sand Play
Set up a small sandbox with various toys and figures. Without giving any instructions (non-directive), allow your child to create scenes or stories in the sand. Benefit: Sand play offers an open-ended opportunity for children to build, imagine and create stories. Some children may use it to explore experiences or what’s on their heart, while others may simply enjoy having fun. Follow your child’s lead and show interest in what they’re creating without assuming that a scene represents a particular feeling or real-life event. You might ask, ‘Would you like to tell me about your creation?’—but let them decide whether to share.
5 The Calm Down Jar
Fill a jar with water, glitter, and a few drops of glue and invite your child to watch the glitter settle. Benefit: This activity may offer a visual focus during a quiet moment. Some children find this soothing. Always ensure you use a securely sealed, age-appropriate container and supervise young children.
6 The Worry Box
Have your child decorate a small box. When they feel worried, they can write or draw the worry on paper and put it in the box. Benefit: A worry box can give children a concrete way to express a worry by drawing or writing it down. Some children find this helpful, while others prefer to talk, play or share their worries in a different way. Let your child know that they can still talk to you about anything they put in the box, and that they don’t have to manage a worry alone.
(Discover how to introduce a worry box and use it with your child here.)
7 Puppet Play
Use puppets or even dolls, action figures, or stuffed animals to act out scenarios that reflect your child’s experiences or emotions. Benefit: Puppets and toys can provide a playful way to invent stories, explore different responses and talk about feelings. Children may choose to include familiar experiences in their stories, or they may prefer entirely imaginary adventures. Avoid assuming that a character’s actions or words reflect your child’s own experiences. Follow their lead and let them decide what they want to share.
8 Storytelling Play
Encourage your child to create a story, through talking, writing or drawing and let them guide the direction it goes. There are lots of fun ways to encourage storytelling activities. Benefit: Stories can provide opportunities to explore feelings and different ways of responding to challenges.
9 Drawing Feelings
Provide your child with paper and crayons and invite them to draw how they’re feeling. Afterwards, you could ask whether they’d like to tell you about their picture. Benefit: Drawing may give some children another way to express themselves, but remember, they don’t need to explain their artwork. Let them decide what, if anything, they want to share.
10 Building a Safe Place
Invite your child to imagine a place where they enjoy feeling comfortable or build a cosy den using pillows, blankets or favourite toys. Benefit: Some children enjoy having a space to retreat to when they want quiet time or space to work through upsets. Let your child choose what feels comfortable.
11 Music and Movement
Play music and encourage your child to move or dance to express different emotions. Benefit: Music and movement can give children another way to explore feelings, express themselves and enjoy shared play, particularly if they find sitting still or talking about emotions difficult.
12 The Balloon Breathing Technique
Invite your child to imagine gently inflating a balloon with their breath, without forcing deep breaths. You might want to explore other breathing activities such as Teddy Bear Breaths or Elephant Breathing. Benefit: Slow, comfortable breathing may help some children settle when they feel overwhelmed. If they feel dizzy or uncomfortable, stop and return to normal breathing.
13 Mindfulness with Sensory Play
Exploring age-appropriate sensory materials like water, sand, or slime can give children an opportunity to notice what they experience in the present moment. Encourage them to focus on how these materials feel, smell, and move. Benefit: Some children find this engaging or settling, while others may dislike particular textures or sensations. Let your child choose materials they feel comfortable with.
14 The Feelings Thermometer
Draw a large thermometer and label it with different emotions at various levels. Ask your child to point to where they are on the thermometer. Benefit: A feelings thermometer, like the one in the Crazy Beautiful Emotional Toolkit, gives children a visual way to describe how strong a feeling seems to them at that moment. It isn’t a clinical measure, and there are no right or wrong answers.
A visual feelings thermometer, like the one in the toolkit, can make this much easier for children to understand and use.
15 Tell a Therapeutic Story
Invite your child to listen to a story featuring a character facing a challenge or scenario your child might relate to. You might explore what the character could be feeling, what might help them, or what different choices they could make. Benefit: Stories can provide opportunities to think about feelings, see their problems from a new perspective and discover solutions within the context of the story.
16 Guided meditations
Some children enjoy guided imagery or short relaxation exercises. You could invite your child to imagine a place they like, such as a beach or forest, where they feel safe and happy. Let them choose their own imagery and stop if the activity makes them uncomfortable. Benefit: Relaxation exercises can offer an opportunity to practise settling and mindfulness.
Try a Guided Meditation for peacefulness: The Graceful Jellyfish here.
17 Nature Play
Spend time outdoors, collecting natural items like leaves, stones, or flowers. Benefit: Collecting natural objects and using them to create art or stories can offer opportunities for imagination, exploration and conversation. Being outdoors may feel enjoyable or calming for some children.
18 Mask Making Play
Provide your child with craft materials like paper plates and markers, and invite them to make a mask representing a feeling, an imaginary character or a quality such as bravery. Benefit: Creating masks can be a fun way for children to explore different aspects of their identity and emotions. As they create and wear these masks, you can discuss the feelings they associate with each one. This helps them better understand and express their emotions.
19 Clockwork Toy Fantasy Drama
Invite your child to pretend to be a clockwork toy, a superhero, an animal or a character from a story. For the clockwork toy, you can even pretend to wind them up – I use a large, antique key as a prop, which really sparks kids’ imagination. You can join in if they want you to, taking turns inventing movements and stories. Benefit: This type of play helps develop creativity, imagination and lets children explore different roles in a fun and engaging way.
20 Emotion Sculpting with Play-Doh
Invite your child to use Play-Doh to create something that represents how they feel. Benefit: This hands-on activity can help them explore their emotions. Kids can also squish, squeeze and pound on the Doh which can be a release for difficult emotions such as anger or frustration.
21 Mindfulness for Kids
Some children enjoy simple mindfulness activities. Help them develop body awareness with body scans and simple yoga poses. Benefit: Mindfulness activities may help them release tension and improve emotional regulation as they better recognize and understand the cues their body is sending. Keep exercises short, comfortable and optional, and stop if your child becomes uncomfortable.
Closing Thoughts on Activities to Help Children Express Their Emotions
Play can give children opportunities to express their inner world, explore feelings and share experiences in their own way. When we slow down, join them with curiosity and listen without making assumptions, we create opportunities for connection and understanding.
These play therapy-inspired activities aren’t about interpreting every action or fixing every difficult feeling. They’re about making time for your child, showing interest in their world and letting them know their feelings are welcome.
If you’d like more simple, real-life ways to support your child’s emotions, I share ideas, insights, and tools like this regularly. You can join below and I’ll send them straight to your inbox.
You Might Also Find Helpful…
Understanding Your Child:
Why Kids Can’t Tell You What They’re Feeling — And How They Show You Instead
What Is Your Child’s Behavior Really Trying To Tell You?
Discover the Power of Play:
Why Play Matters Way More Than You Think
How Different Types Of Play Support Your Child’s Emotional World
Explore Calming Activities:
Body Scan for Kids: The Magic Moonbeam (Free Script)
Build More Emotional Skills:
21 Fascinating Facts About Emotions for Kids
How To Do The Feelings Hotel: A Creative Emotional Check-In for Kids
Pin to Read Later…
Image credit: Photo by LightFieldStudios Getty Images via Canva
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