Directed Play Therapy Activities
The following activities give you just a hint of what you can learn in our play therapy certificate program. We hope these tips help you in your interactions with young clients.-MidAmerica Nazarene University Play Therapy Center
MOOD MANICURE - Great for pre-teen and teenage girls. Place many different colors of nail polish in the middle of the group. Each member chooses a color that represents a feeling she has a lot. That member is then responsible for painting any other nails of other group members who have that same feeling. Members can choose to have their nails painted with up to 10 different colors (feelings). However, when the painting is done, each member must give the group a verbal example of a time they felt the feeling for each feeling represented on her hand.
FAMILY SYMBOLS MAP - Have each member make a genogram on large paper. Choosing from all of your toys, miniatures as well as other play items, have them pick one item to represent each family member. -(This may result in conflict and negotiation over particularly meaningful pieces.) After this is complete, each client explains his genogram to the group and the group may ask questions.
DON'T GET DISTRACTED - One group member is given a repetitive task that takes a certain amount of concentration. Other group members attempt to distract him. Afterwards, feelings and skills are processed.
QUIET BALL - Group members stand in a circle. Only one ball is used. The leader explains the rules: 1) No talking 2) No judging 3) You must have a good throw 4) You must have a good catch. Group members must take themselves out of the game is they break a rule. Processing afterwards is critical in this activity!
FREEZE BOWL - Using a miniature bowling ball and pins, each member gets a turn to knock over as many pins as possible. However, in this version, each pin corresponds to a number of seconds of frozen time. After each turn, that player must `freeze'; that is sit completely still, for the number of seconds reflected by the number of pins knocked down. If he is successful, he gets a token.
THE CLAY PUMMEL - Have members shape clay into a symbol of something that makes them angry. If they choose a person, it is the therapist's responsibility to help them define a behavior that this person engages in and help them symbolize that. Then, while the rest of the group serves as witnesses, each member says "I hate..." while pummeling the clay with a large mallet.
"I'M SICK OF..." EGGS - Do this activity outside or tape plastic sheeting to your walls. Each member gets a real egg and gently writes on it one thing he/she is "sick of'. Then, as others serve as witnesses, each client verbalizes his statement while throwing and busting the egg. Great catharsis!
BUILDING BLOCKS OF COMMUNICATION - Two people are chosen from the group. One is the direction giver and one is the builder. The two members sit back to back on the floor and are given 5-6 blocks of varying lengths, shapes and colors. Both have the same set. The direction giver builds something and then has to give directions to his partner on how to build the exact same structure. They cannot look at each other. If they get stuck, the group can give each partner tips on how to better communicate their ideas.
HOOLA HOOPS - One member slings a hoola hoop over his shoulder. All members hold hands in a circle. The hoola hoop must make its way all the way around the circle without members breaking hand contact.
