6 Play Therapy Techniques to Try at Home Today (With Examples)
Key Takeaways:
Play Therapy Powers Up Your Child's Well-being: Play therapy techniques provide children with creative and safe ways to express their emotions and build important life skills.
Creative Expression Unleashed: Activities like drawing, storytelling, and music and movement allow children to express their feelings and thoughts in a fun and engaging way.
Your Partner in Parenting: For personalized guidance and expert support, consider Rooted Rhythm's online courses and in-person therapy services.
Play is more than just fun—it’s how children communicate, process their emotions, and build essential skills. Play therapy techniques can provide children with a safe and creative way to express feelings, solve problems, and develop resilience. By incorporating these techniques into daily routines, parents can support their child’s emotional growth while strengthening the parent-child bond.
At Rooted Rhythm, we’re passionate about helping families create meaningful connections through evidence-based play therapy sessions and parenting support. With practices in Colorado, Dallas, and Atlanta, we’re here to help families grow stronger together. Whether through in-person services or our parenting courses, Rooted Rhythm is committed to supporting parents and children every step of the way.
The goal of this article is to share six practical play therapy techniques you can easily try at home - though some of these activities can be dependent on your child's age and development. But, each activity is designed to encourage emotional expression and connection in ways that are simple, fun, and effective.
6 Play Therapy Ideas with Examples
1. Sand Tray Therapy
Sand tray therapy is a creative and hands-on way for children to express their thoughts and emotions by building scenes in a tray filled with sand. Using small figurines, animals, or other objects, children can create representations of their feelings or experiences, helping them process emotions and communicate without words.
To try this at home, you can set up a shallow container with sand and a variety of toys, letting your child lead the activity or you can ask your child to create a scene that shows how they feel about their day. Open-ended prompts like “Can you tell me about what you’ve built?” encourage deeper exploration. Whether creating a safe place, telling a story, or expressing emotions, sand tray therapy can encourage emotional growth and strengthen the parent-child bond.
2. Puppet Play
Puppet play is a fun and engaging way for children to explore their emotions and practice social skills. By using puppets to act out stories and scenarios, children can express themselves creatively, develop empathy, and work through challenging situations. To try this at home, you can use store-bought puppets or make your own with socks, paper bags, or other materials. Encourage your child to create stories with their puppets and ask open-ended questions to promote conversation. For example, you might ask, "How is your puppet feeling?" or "What is happening in your story?"
3. Board Games with a Twist
Playing board games with a therapeutic twist is a fun and interactive way to help children express emotions and build important social skills like taking turns, problem-solving, and managing frustration. By adding simple prompts or questions to the game, you can encourage children to share their thoughts and feelings in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.
At home, choose a favorite board game, such as Candy Land or Uno, and introduce a twist: assign a feeling or question to certain cards or game spaces. For example, landing on a blue space might prompt, “Share something that made you feel proud today,” or drawing a certain card might mean naming a time they felt brave. These small adjustments turn regular gameplay into a meaningful opportunity for directive play therapy that promotes connection and emotional exploration.
4. Music and Movement
Music and movement is a powerful tool for emotional expression and physical release. By combining music with dance, children can express their feelings, reduce stress, and improve their coordination. To try this at home, simply play music and encourage your child to move freely. You can also sing songs together, dance, or play musical instruments. Pay attention to your child's movements and ask questions like, "How does this music make you feel?" or "What kind of movements does this music inspire?"
You and your child can also work together to create a “feelings dance” to express excitement or frustration, or make up a silly song about their day. These activities are not only fun but also give children a healthy outlet for positive and negative emotions and a chance to connect through play and creativity.
5. Emotion Cards
Emotion cards are a simple yet powerful tool for helping children identify and express their feelings. These visual aids use images or words to represent different emotions, making it easier for children to understand and communicate what they’re experiencing. By using emotion cards, parents can create a safe space for open conversations about feelings.
At home, parents can make their own emotion cards by drawing simple faces or finding printable resources online. Lay the cards out and ask questions like, “Which card shows how you’re feeling right now?” or “Can you find a card that matches how you felt during school today?” This activity helps children explore their emotions and practice putting their feelings into words.
6. Mindfulness Games
Mindfulness games are a calming and engaging way to help children develop focus, emotional regulation, and a sense of calm. By using fun, simple activities that encourage them to stay present and tune into their senses, children can learn to manage big emotions and feel more grounded in the moment.
At home, mindfulness games can include activities like deep breathing exercises, sensory play, or imaginative scenarios. For example, try a "balloon breathing" game where your child pretends to blow up a giant balloon, taking deep breaths in and out. Another idea is to explore the senses with a “What Can You See?” game, asking them to name five things they can see, hear, or feel around them. A child might also enjoy playing with sensory items like slime, kinetic sand, or water beads, which naturally encourage focus and relaxation.
What is Child-Centered Play Therapy?
Play therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses play as a way for children to express their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Unlike adults, who often rely on words to communicate, children naturally turn to play to make sense of their world. This approach creates a safe and supportive environment where a child feels heard and understood without pressure to articulate their feelings verbally and build healthy coping strategies.
In various play therapy techniques, the focus is on the child’s lead. Play therapists—or in this case, parents and family members—observe and participate in play, allowing the child to explore and express themselves freely. This method helps children process emotions, build confidence, and develop problem-solving skills at their own pace.
When practiced at home, play therapy activities give parents a unique opportunity to connect with their child on a deeper level. By engaging in play that prioritizes the child’s choices and feelings, parents can foster a sense of security and emotional growth.
Benefits of Play Therapy in Therapy Sessions
Play therapy activities are powerful tools that support children in understanding and managing their emotions, behaviors, and relationships. Child therapy offers a multitude of benefits for children, including:
Emotional Expression: Play therapy offers a safe and non-threatening way for children to express their feelings, thoughts, and experiences, especially if they struggle to put feelings into words.
Improved Social Skills: Through play, children learn to interact with others, develop empathy, and build healthy relationships.
Increased Self-Esteem: Play therapy activities help children develop a positive sense of self and believe in their own abilities.
Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills: Child play therapy encourages children to think creatively, find solutions to problems, and develop coping skills and resilience.
Reduced Anxiety and Stress: Therapeutic play activities can help children manage anxiety, reduce stress, and promote relaxation.
For parents, incorporating therapy activities for kids into the home can strengthen the parent-child bond, creating a nurturing foundation for emotional growth and communication.
Bringing Play Therapy Home
Incorporating play therapy interventions into your daily routine is a simple yet impactful way to support your child’s emotional growth and strengthen your connection. By making time for these creative and meaningful moments, you’re fostering a nurturing and supportive environment where your child can thrive.
Rooted Rhythm: Your Partner in Parenting and Play Therapy
If you’re looking for additional support and mental health treatment, Rooted Rhythm offers resources designed to empower parents on their journey. Our TUNED IN Parenting Course provides practical tools for understanding and responding to your child’s emotions, while our Parent Coaching offers personalized guidance tailored to your family dynamics and needs. Both programs are built to help you deepen your connection with your children and create a home environment that promotes emotional well-being.
Rooted Rhythm also specializes in play therapy, with professional services available in Colorado, Dallas, and Atlanta. Our team is here to support your family with compassionate care and evidence-based techniques.
To learn more or get started, contact us today. Together, we can help your child—and your family—grow stronger, one step at a time.