Are you looking for ways to support your child through emotional and behavioral difficulties? Would you be surprised if I said play therapists aren’t the only ones who can use professional therapy strategies to help kids? Read on to learn these simple play therapy techniques parents and carers can use at home, right now.
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It’s difficult to watch little ones go through tough times.
But the good news is – there’s actually a lot you, as a parent or caregiver, can do to support them. In fact, research shows that in many instances, with the right insight and instruction, parents can be as effective as a professional therapist in their support (more on that exciting news later!)
You see, by learning simple play therapy techniques, you can begin to help your child work through difficult emotions or experiences. You can build emotional awareness, and even strengthen your bond together.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through 21 play therapy techniques parents can use at home – no formal training required!
These activities will provide your child with a safe space to express themselves. They will help them develop skills to manage life’s ups and downs. And they’ll even help you connect with your child on a deeper level.
But to start with – let’s explore what play therapy really is.
What is Play Therapy?
Play therapy is a way to help children deal with emotional and behavioral issues through play.
It gives them a safe space to express and explore their feelings, resolve conflicts, and develop coping strategies. It helps them process upsetting events and learn essential skills like self-control and emotional regulation. And along the way they develop vital qualities such as confidence and self-esteem.
It’s a wonderful and very natural approach that taps into the instinctual language of children: play.
You see, as adults, we tend to communicate our feelings through words. But children struggle to express themselves this way.
That’s because they don’t yet have the ability of abstract thinking. They often lack the emotional vocabulary to describe how they are feeling. And they don’t have the life experience to explain complex situations or worries.
But children do express themselves – through play.
In the 1900’s, theorists noticed that children weren’t using play just for fun! They discovered they were actually using it to express their inner world – their thoughts and emotions.
So, the nature of symbolic of play, is powerful for children. Things like – toys, games, art, and pretend play – give kids a way to express themselves, without needing to put everything into words. This is perfect for younger kids, in fact it’s perfect for anyone who finds it hard to talk about their emotions.
At its core, play therapy helps children make sense of the world around them and their place within it.
But professional play therapy does have some drawbacks.
The Downside to Professional Play Therapy
You see, professional play therapy can be extremely effective. But downside is – due to shortages in trained therapists, it can be difficult to access. As well as this, the costs to families can mean it’s prohibitive to many.
There is an upside though. Research has found that parents themselves can be extremely effective in supporting their children with play therapy skills.
This was discovered in a round about sort of way.
Here’s what happened…
The Upside of Play Therapy Techniques Parents Can Use
You see, Dr Garry Landreth recognized that children often don’t get the help they need, when they need it. So he made a radical call. He asked for mental health professionals to ‘give away’ their skills to parents.
It was as parents started to learn and use play therapy skills, a surprising discovery was made. It became apparent, that because parents generally hold the most significant relationship in a child’s life, they are in the best position to help. In fact, in many instances, they were able to help in a more powerful way than even professional therapists.
Research shows parents can be “just as effective (in some cases more effective) as professionals in helping children with their problems”.
Bratton, Ray, Rhine & Jones 2005
These are some pretty powerful findings!
Landreth said, parents are ‘in the best position to profoundly impact the lives of future adults.’ They can significantly improve the mental health of populations.
One of the ways parents are taught how to use Play Therapy skills, is through a type of training called Filial Therapy.
They can then use these skills with their children to become a key part of the child’s healing process. While the parents do not become therapists as such, they’re still able to effectively support their children.
The Difference Between Filial Therapy and Play Therapy Techniques Parent’s Can Use
Filial Therapy involves training over several weeks, with supervision. Space is made for parents to explore their own emotions too.
The following Play Therapy techniques for parents, can’t replace the depth of training provided in Filial Therapy. Nor can they replace professional support for children who have identified clinical problems. But it does mean, through the magic of play, you can empower a child who is struggling.
The good news is – these activities are accessible and easy to use at home. They empower parents in the first steps to offer meaningful support through simple, intentional play. The techniques help children build resilience and self-esteem. They will also support them to work through challenges—all while strengthening your bond.
So, perhaps you’re wondering what exactly play therapy techniques that parents can use, really are. We’ll, let’s explore more…
What Are Play Therapy Techniques Parents Can Use at Home?
In a traditional Play Therapy setting, a therapist would work with a child in a non-directive way, to address emotional or behavioral concerns.
Children have regular sessions of unstructured play. Here, any issues that are troubling them, often come to light through their play. The therapist can then guide them in further therapeutic activities to help the child process things further. They may also take a slightly more directive approach.
Many of these Play Therapy activities can be easily adapted for use by parents at home. By taking time to use some of these play therapy techniques, you can create opportunities for your child to express their feelings, develop problem-solving skills, and gain confidence.
Why These Play Therapy Techniques Work Wonders for Parents and Kids
By using these Play Therapy techniques for parents, children can:
- Express emotions they might not have the words for.
- Process experiences they find confusing or upsetting.
- Develop problem-solving skills and learn how to manage difficult situations.
- Build self-esteem and confidence as they work through challenges in a controlled, supportive environment.
- Develop self-awareness and learn to recognize their actions, thoughts and emotions. Difficult emotions or behaviors can only be dealt with when we become aware of them.
- Find positive ways to express difficult emotions so feelings such as anger or depression can be expressed and released in ways that are not harmful.
- Develop self-control so children learn to curb their own disruptive behavior from their own choice and not just because someone has told them.
As a parent, you are uniquely positioned to facilitate therapeutic play. You know your child best. So, with some guidance, you can use these play therapy techniques to support your child’s mental health in a meaningful way.
Getting Started: Simple Play Therapy Techniques For Parents
Here are 21 play therapy techniques parents can use at home. You can easily incorporate these into your child’s play times.
They are particularly beneficial for children aged 3-12.
Remember, the goal isn’t to “fix” your child. Rather, the goal is to offer them tools and spaces to understand and express themselves better. It’s when children feel heard and understood that problematic behaviors tend to decrease.
So, with that in mind, these activities are designed to help your child express their emotions, work through challenges, and develop healthy coping strategies.
If you’ve any questions, reach out in the comments below.
21 Powerful Play Therapy Techniques Parents Can Use at Home
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: It’s strange, but this symbolic approach often allows children to open up. It allows them to talk more freely about their emotions, than a direct question such as, ‘how are you feeling,’ would. That’s because symbolism helps us identify and express emotions that lie in our subconscious. This activity can be modified to use with other sorts of things too, such as transport or colors.
2 Magic wand wishes
Give your child a wand and invite them to make 3 wishes. Then listen carefully. Benefit: Hearing the things they wish for may give you insight into possible issues your child might be struggling with. (There again, it may just give you insight into their silly, frivolous side! – But that’s okay.) As before, though, encouraging a child to talk in this way is much more effective than asking direct questions.
3 Emotions ball play
Create a set of cards with different facial expressions (happy, sad, angry, scared, etc.). Then throw a ball back and forward with your child. When someone drops it, they get to chose an emotion and talk about a time they felt that way. Benefit: Rhythmically attuned moments such as ball tossing, are known to break down defensiveness. It creates a small safe place where children can connect and open up more freely. In therapy sessions, this technique always blows me away by its power to help kids open up. I’m always amazed at how much I hear from even the most guarded of children, when using this technique!
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: This type of play is great for expressing emotions and exploring different scenarios. It comes from what’s on the child’s heart. Do this over several sessions and watch carefully for the themes that emerge.
5 The Calm Down Jar
Fill a jar with water, glitter, and a few drops of glue. When your child feels upset, shake the jar and encourage them to watch the glitter settle. Benefit: This activity can help them focus and calm down.
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: This helps them feel like they have control over their worries.
(Discover why the worry box technique is so extremely effective 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: This can help them process difficult situations and rehearse different responses. It can also help them express feelings through the toys that they might not be comfortable sharing directly.
8 Storytelling Play Therapy Techniques
Encourage your child to create a story, either verbally, in writing or through drawing. Benefit: You can guide the story to touch on issues they might be dealing with. This allows them to process these experiences in a safe space.
9 Drawing Feelings
Provide your child with paper and crayons and ask them to draw how they’re feeling. Benefit: Discuss the drawing afterward to help them verbalize their emotions.
(Learn how I help kids externalize anxiety with this super-fun monster art activity here.)
10 Building a Safe Place
Using pillows and blankets, help your child create a “safe place” where they feel protected. Benefit: This can be a physical space or an imaginary one that they can visualize when they need to feel secure.
11 Music and Movement Play Therapy Techniques
Play music and encourage your child to move or dance to express different emotions. Benefit: This activity is particularly good for children who have difficulty sitting still or expressing feelings verbally.
12 The Balloon Breathing Technique
Teach your child to take deep breaths by pretending to blow up a balloon. Benefit: This simple exercise can help them manage stress and anxiety.
(Discover more of the best breathing strategies I use with kids here.)
13 Mindfulness with Sensory Play
Engage your child in sensory activities like playing with water, sand, or slime. Benefit: Encourage them to focus on how these materials feel, smell, and move, helping them stay present and calm.
14 The Feelings Thermometer
Draw a large thermometer and label it with different emotions at various levels. Benefit: Ask your child to point to where they are on the thermometer. This helps them to assess and communicate the intensity of their feelings.
15 Therapeutic Storytelling
Children process emotions more easily through stories. Therapeutic storytelling involves creating or reading stories that mirror your child’s challenges. As you tell the story, use characters and scenarios that your child can relate to. Then guide the narrative toward a positive resolution. Benefit: This technique allows children to see their problems from a new perspective and discover solutions within the context of the story.
(Neuroscience shows therapeutic stories can rewire our brain – find out why here.)
16 Guided meditations
Guided meditations are a wonderful way to help your child relax and explore their emotions in a calm, controlled environment. You can lead your child through a simple meditation. In this they can imagine a peaceful place, like a beach or a forest, and visualize themselves feeling safe and happy there. These meditations can be tailored to your child’s needs—whether they need to calm down after a busy day or gain confidence before a big event. Benefit: By practicing guided meditations, children learn valuable skills in mindfulness and self-regulation. These are tools that they can use throughout their lives.
(Click here to try the Guided Meditation for peacefulness: The Graceful Jellyfish – free script)
17 Play Therapy Techniques using Nature Play
Spend time outdoors, collecting natural items like leaves, stones, or flowers. Benefit: Use these items to create art or tell stories, which can help your child connect with their emotions in a calming environment.
18 Mask Making Play Therapy Techniques
Creating masks can be a powerful way for children to explore different aspects of their identity and emotions. Provide your child with materials like paper plates, markers, and craft supplies. They can use these to make masks that represent different feelings or characters. For example, they might create a “brave” mask to wear when they need extra courage. Or they may make a “happy” mask to remind them of joyful moments. Benefit: As they create and wear these masks, you can discuss the feelings or traits they associate with each one. This helps them better understand and express their emotions.
19 Clockwork Toy Fantasy Drama
Tell your child they are a clockwork toy and pretend to wind them up. I use a large, antique ‘magic’ key I own, which really sparks kids’ imagination. Then watch carefully to see what themes they act into. Make-believe play allows children to explore their imagination. It lets them work through real-life issues in a safe and creative way. You can also try other themes. By pretending to be superheroes, animals, or characters from stories, for instance, children can express their feelings and conquer fears. They can also experiment with different roles and scenarios. Benefit: This type of play not only fosters creativity but also helps children develop problem-solving skills and build self-confidence in a fun and engaging way.
20 Emotion Sculpting with Play-Doh
Give your child some Play-Doh and ask them to sculpt how they’re feeling. Benefit: This hands-on activity can help them externalize and explore their emotions. Kids can also squish, squeeze and pound on the Doh which is a great release for difficult emotions such as anger or frustration.
21 Yoga for Kids
Practice simple yoga poses with your child, focusing on breathing and body awareness. Benefit: Yoga can help them release tension and improve emotional regulation.
A Few Closing Thoughts: 21 Play Therapy Techniques Parents Can Use At Home
Hopefully by now you’ll have discovered, you don’t need to be a professional therapist to help your child work through difficult emotions and behaviors.
With these Play Therapy techniques for parents, you can provide your child with a safe, supportive environment. Here they can explore their feelings and develop the skills they need to manage life’s challenges. Remember, the most important thing is to be present. Try to listen with empathy, and create an atmosphere of trust and understanding.
Through these simple but powerful activities, you’ll not only support your child’s mental health and emotional well-being but also strengthen the bond you share. And there’s nothing more precious than that.
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- Discover why the worry box technique is so extremely effective here.
- Click here to try the Guided Meditation for peacefulness: The Graceful Jellyfish – free script.
- Discover some of the best breathing strategies I use with kids here.
- Neuroscience shows therapeutic stories can rewire our brain – find out why here.
- Try the Guided Meditation for peacefulness: The Graceful Jellyfish – free script.
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