Play Therapy

What is Play Therapy?

Using art, toys, games, and therapeutic activities to:
Observe how they’re feeling and behaving
Learn how to express and manage their emotions and stress in healthy ways
Process traumatic events
Target behaviors that are causing issues at home or school
Build healthy relationships
and so much more!

Why Play Therapy?

It’s fun! (and healing)
Play gives them the chance to express themselves non-verbally when talking is too hard. Even adults can benefit from play therapy, connecting with their creativity, their younger selves, and their children. Online play therapy uses resources at home with creative activities that can be done through video, and often includes caregiver participation, much like online schooling.
If you want in-person play therapy, click on Find a Play Therapist - Arizona for more resources.

Setting Up For Play Therapy at Home

Printable

Play is the language of children. Having more toys available gives them a bigger vocabulary to “talk” with when playing during therapy. You probably already have many of these at home.

Toys used most often are in bold and may be helpful to have close by during appointments.

Type of Toy and Examples

People: Dolls, action figures, figurines, paper dolls, wood figures, character toys

Animals: Figurines, stuffed toys, puppets

Arts and Crafts: Paper, crayons, markers, paint, stickers, glue, tape, beads, yarn/string, magazines, spray bottles, safety scissors

Sculpting: Play-Doh, kinetic sand, pipe cleaners

Squeezable: Stuffed toys, stress balls, pillows

Scenes: House, construction set, play sets, kitchen

Food/Eating/Cooking: Kitchen playset, play food, snacks, dishes, cups, utensils

Shopping/Money: Play money/coins, play gems, cash register, play credit/debit cards

Fidget: Bubble poppers, spinners, squeeze balls

Medical: Doctor outfit, play medical equipment, band-aids

Mindfulness/Breathing: Bubbles, glitter wands, Hoberman ball, balloons, scented items, different textures, weighted blankets/pillows, bubble gum

Dress-up/Pretend: Costumes, police/fire/construction outfits, dresses, grown-up clothes, masks, capes, accessories

School: Dry erase board, chalkboard, desk, glasses

Baby/Toddler: Dolls, bottles, pacifiers, blankets, diapers, soft blocks, sorting toys, cloth books

Games: Card games, tumbling tower, Connect 4, short board games

Weapons/Aggression*: Foam swords, lightsabers, non-realistic guns (i.e. Nerf guns, colored plastic), “mean” animals, toy soldiers, play handcuffs, Bop Bag, villain figurines

*Can help express anger, trauma, or protection.

All toys should be safe and age-appropriate for your child to use independently if working with therapist one-on-one, or under your supervision when you are together.

A range of toys for different ages may be helpful if your child wants to play as a younger version of themselves or can be helpful in nurturing/comforting play.

🏳‍🌈 As an LGBTQIA2S+ affirming practice, toys will not be gendered as “girl” or “boy” toys during sessions, such as dressing up or pretend play, and caregivers are encouraged to do the same during therapy work. 🏳‍🌈

Play Therapy Space at Home: