Toys & Materials in Play Therapy

Play therapy is a developmentally appropriate therapeutic approach suitable for children ages 3 to 12, supported by empirical evidence (a4pt.org). Play therapy relies on several components for success, including the therapeutic environment and the therapist’s relationship with the child. The use of toys and materials is also important for this process.

Since toys serve as children's means of expression and play as their language, the selection of toys and materials for the playroom must be intentional, carefully planned, and organized within a structured space.

Playroom Selection: Considerations

The therapeutic environment, including both physical and psychological spaces, along with the toys and materials in the playroom, should fulfill specific criteria. These criteria focus on therapeutic value and developmentally appropriate considerations.

The Physical Space:

• Orderly and predictable (placement and arrangement of toys; use of shelves)

• Allows for messiness and ease of cleanup

Dimensions:

12x15 ft: The room needs to be large enough for the child to move around freely and small enough for the therapist to be present with the child without continually following the child around the room.

Suggested Characteristics

Floor: Durable and easy to clean such as vinyl tile or wood. Carpet is difficult to clean and should be avoided if possible.

Walls: Off-white or neutral color is recommended, washable; helpful to avoid dark, bright, and somber wall colors

Sink: A sink with cold running water is useful. Turn off the hot water under the sink and if possible turn the cold water valve only halfway so that when the child turns on the water with full force it does not splash all over the room.

Shelves: Two walls of shelves to provide space for toys. Make sure they are sturdy and do not exceed 38 inches so that younger children can reach them without help from the therapist.

(Landreth; Giordano et al.)

Toys and materials

Playroom toys and materials should be selected based on their ability to:

1. Facilitate a range of creative expression

2. Engage the child’s interests

3. Promote expression and exploratory play

4. Allow for expression without verbalization

5. Allow success without a provided structure

6. Provide opportunities for self-insight and understanding

7. Be durable, simple, and easy to operate

8. Permit limit setting and reality testing

Categories of Toys

There are three major categories of toys for the playroom: The toys in each category provide the child with the ability to communicate their experiences, emotions, needs, and desires.

1. Real Life & Nurturing Toys: Allow for exploration of real-life experiences and notions of caregiving including cultural values, traditions, and roles.

   Examples: play kitchen, doll house, baby bottle

2. Aggressive Release/Acting Out: Promote Expression of anger & aggression

   Examples: handcuffs, toy gun, bop bag

3. Creative Expression and Emotional Release: Enable expression of emotions, and allow children to be creative & messy. Examples: craft materials, play dough or clay

Recs for toys and materials in play therapy:

Play Room Toys and Materials List

Need help with resources and design for your playroom? My recommendations and sources:

Play Room Set Up and Furniture

Trusted Play Therapy Products Shop

Play Therapy Supply

For more on Sandtray selections