8d • General discussion
This Simple Play Therapy Trick Makes Talking About Feelings More Fun
One of my favorite play therapy tricks doesn’t require fancy equipment or expensive toys.
It just requires… a spinner.
I keep one in my playroom all the time because it instantly turns almost anything into a game.
Here’s how it works:
Create four different colored spaces on the spinner, and assign each color a different activity. Before a child arrives (or before using it with your own child), I “stack the deck” with activities that fit what we’re working on.
For example:
🟢 Answer a feeling question (I love using conversation cards like Ungame cards.)
🔵 Pick a Kimochi feeling and share a time you felt that way.
🟡 30-Second Dance Party!
🔴 Complete a silly physical challenge like 10 push-ups, balloon keepy-uppy, or let the child invent the next challenge.
The beauty is that every spinner can be completely different. You can change it for each child, each session, or even each round of the game.
When talking about feelings is mixed with movement, play, laughter, and choice, it often feels much less intimidating. Children become more engaged, more relaxed, and more willing to open up.
Whether you’re a play therapist looking for fresh ideas or a parent wanting to make emotional conversations feel a little lighter, give it a try.
Sometimes all it takes is a simple spinner to transform connection into play.
I’d love to hear—what would you put on your four spaces?
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This Simple Play Therapy Trick Makes Talking About Feelings More Fun
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