Play Therapy Toys Explained: What They Are and How They Support Emotional Growth

Play therapy toys are more than just playthings. Discover how dollhouses, sand trays, art, and more help children express feelings, heal, and grow emotionally.

When children have big feelings, they don’t always have the words to express them.

That’s where play therapy works its magic. In a supportive environment, children use toys as their language — exploring emotions, acting out experiences, and discovering ways to solve problems.

Now, there’s no strict rules about what exact toys should be used in a therapist’s playroom. But generally each item is carefully chosen. It will be picked for it’s potential to help a child express themselves, work through challenges, and feel understood. From dolls and sand trays to art supplies and puppets, these toys give children the tools to communicate what’s happening inside their hearts and minds.

Ever wondered what sort of toys are in a play therapist’s toolkit?

In this guide, we’ll explore the type of toys many therapists use and how they help children grow emotionally. It will also help parents understand ways to support their child’s expression at home.

It’s a little window into the world of play therapy — and also into the powerful role toys play in helping children heal and thrive.

(If you’re new to this approach, you might want to learn more with our Parent’s Guide to Play Therapy.)

Play Therapy Toys Explained: What You’ll Find In This Guide

This guide is packed with ideas and examples. Feel free to use the links below to jump straight to the sections that matter most to you.

Why Toys Are Important in Play Therapy

At the beginning of the last century, child psychologists noticed something surprising. They realized play isn’t always something kids do for fun! Children also use it to express their inner world. They discovered play is a child’s natural language — a way for them to show what’s happening inside, even when they can’t find the words.

Through play, children reveal their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. A simple game, a doll, or a sand tray can tell a story about how they see the world, what worries them, or what they’re excited about. Toys give them a safe way to express emotions that might otherwise stay hidden.

Each one — whether it’s a puppet, building blocks, or art materials — helps children explore emotions, and learn new ways to cope with them. By understanding the role of these toys, parents can see how play provides not just fun, but a path for healing, growth, and connection.

You can see now, why in play therapy, every toy is chosen with purpose.

What Toys Are Used in Play Therapy?

A wide variety of toys can be used in play therapy. But, it’s best if they’re not the newest or flashiest ones — so children can feel comfortable using them to explore or release difficult emotions. Each toy is carefully selected to represent a child’s world, giving them a full “vocabulary” for expression.

These toys can be grouped into different types, each serving a specific purpose in therapy. From dolls and dollhouses to sand trays, art supplies, blocks, and puppets, every category offers children a way to communicate feelings, act out experiences, and develop problem-solving skills.

In the next section, we’ll explore these types in more detail and explain how each one helps children express themselves.

Types of Play Therapy Toys (with examples)

In order to give children plenty of ‘words’, a well-equipped playroom will include a selection of things like these:

Sand Tray

Sand trays are fabulous for the way they allow children to create miniature worlds using sand and symbols. They can represent real-life experiences, work through emotions, or act out conflicts safely. Sand tray play encourages symbolic expression and problem-solving.

Dollhouses and Dolls

Dollhouses and dolls give children a way to act out family dynamics, relationships, and personal experiences. They can explore emotions, practice problem-solving, or work through conflicts in a safe, controlled environment. By moving figures around the dollhouse or interacting with dolls, children can express feelings and situations that might be difficult to put into words.

Miniature Figurines or Symbols

Miniatures, such as animals, people, or household items, help children tell stories and explore feelings indirectly. This type of small world play is a powerful tool for acting out situations that may be difficult to discuss verbally.

Art and Craft Materials

Drawing, painting, or crafting gives children a visual way to express thoughts and emotions. Open-ended art supplies support creativity, self-expression, and emotional processing.

(You might enjoy this fun ‘Making Monsters’ art activity that helps kids externalize and manage their worries.)

Construction Toys, Building Blocks, and LEGO

Building toys let children experiment, solve problems, and express feelings through structure and creation. They’re also great for helping kids learn how to take charge, figure things out, and put steps in order.

Puppets

Puppets give children a way to talk through situations indirectly. Using a puppet, a child can express feelings, act out problems, and explore solutions without feeling pressured.

Games

Board games teach turn-taking, patience, and problem-solving. They can also be a gentle way to explore emotions and practice social skills in a structured, playful context.

Masks

Masks support role play and emotional exploration. Children can “try on” different identities or express emotions they may find hard to show openly.

Music, Movement and Dance

Musical instruments, singing, and dance allow children to express feelings physically and creatively. These activities are especially effective for energy release and emotional regulation.

Drama and Role Play

Acting out stories or scenarios helps children process experiences, practice problem-solving, and explore emotions safely. Drama encourages creativity and self-expression.

Dress-Up Costumes

Costumes encourage role play, imagination, and self-expression. Dressing up allows children to explore different roles, emotions, and perspectives safely.

Clay / Play-Doh

Manipulating clay or play-doh provides tactile, sensory experiences. Children can express emotions, create symbolic representations, and release tension through hands-on play.

Therapeutic Story Books

Storytelling and storybooks help children understand experiences, explore feelings, and see different perspectives. Reading and creating stories can guide discussion and emotional insight.

Creative Visualization (Guided Meditation)

Guided imagery or visualization exercises help children relax, focus, and explore thoughts and emotions safely. These activities support self-awareness, coping skills, and emotional regulation.

(Looking for a simple way to help your child relax and process emotions? Our free ‘Magic Moonbeam’ body scan for kids is a fun, guided exercise to try at home or in the class or therapy room).

Messy Play

Messy play, like finger painting, shaving cream, or sand-and-water mixtures, allows children to explore textures and materials while expressing creativity and emotions. It’s a hands-on way for children to release energy, process feelings, and build confidence through sensory experimentation.

Outdoor Play

Outdoor play provides space for children to move freely, explore the environment, and engage in imaginative or physical activities. Running, climbing, or digging can help children release tension, practice coordination, and express emotions in a natural, unstructured setting.

Sensory Play (Using Touch)

Sensory play activities, such as handling textured objects, sand, rice bins, or tactile toys, engage the sense of touch and help children regulate emotions. These experiences can calm anxiety, focus attention, and provide a safe outlet for expressing feelings through hands-on exploration.

Water Play

Water play, including pouring, splashing, or floating objects, offers children a soothing, engaging way to explore cause and effect. It encourages creativity, experimentation, and emotional expression while providing a calming, sensory-rich environment.

Open-Ended Toys (vs. Directed Toys)

Now that we’ve looked at the different types of toys commonly used in play therapy, it’s important to understand how they can encourage expression in unique ways.

Many play therapy toys are open-ended — meaning there’s no “right” way to use them. Items like sand, clay, blocks, and art materials can be shaped or built in endless ways, giving children freedom to explore emotions and creativity.

On the other hand, directed toys, like board games, can also play a role by helping children practice rules, patience, and social skills.

Both kinds support emotional growth in different ways.

Why Symbolic Toys are important in Play Therapy

Miniature animals, people, houses, vehicles, and objects are often included because they help children tell stories symbolically. For example, a small figure may represent a family member, or a toy animal might act out an emotion.

Symbolic play is powerful because it gives children the freedom to explore situations indirectly. Talking directly about worries or painful experiences can sometimes feel too overwhelming. But through symbols, children can share what they’re feeling in a way that feels safe and manageable.

How Play Therapy Toys Help Children Express Feelings

Every toy in the playroom offers a way for children to show what’s happening inside them.

• A child might slam blocks together when they’re angry.
• They might use a puppet to share a worry or frustration.
• They might draw a picture of something too difficult to say out loud.

Through this kind of play, children don’t just express emotions — they also discover healthier ways to cope with them. The toys become tools for processing feelings, building resilience, and finding new solutions to problems.

(If you’d like to read more about the role of play in child development, the Child Mind Institute has an excellent guide for parents.)

Can Parents Use Play Therapy Toys at Home?

Parents play a key role in supporting their children emotionally. While play therapy works best with a trained therapist, some of the same principles can be brought into the home.

Having open-ended toys available — like art supplies, building blocks, puppets, or even a small sand tray — can give kids safe outlets to show how they’re feeling. The most important thing is to let your child take the lead in play. By following their direction and observing without correcting, you create space for them to show you what’s on their mind in their own way.

This kind of child-led play doesn’t replace therapy, but it can strengthen connection, build trust, and give you valuable insight into your child’s inner world.

(If you’re a parent (or even a professional), you might love our post on 21 Play Therapy Techniques Parents Can Use.)

Final Thoughts: Toys are Children’s Words

As play therapy pioneer Garry Landreth said, “Toys are children’s words.” They aren’t just objects — they are the vocabulary children use to share their inner world.

Play therapy toys help children heal, grow, and thrive by giving them a language that goes beyond words. When we recognize their importance — whether in a therapist’s playroom or at home — we give children the tools they need to feel understood, process their emotions, and build resilience for the future.

Do you have a favorite play therapy toy or activity that really helps your child express themselves? Share it with us below!

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