What Toys Should My Child Be Playing With?

In Play Therapy we believe that playing is therapeutic. This means that the types of toys children play with are important because they are used as symbolic expression. Ideally a child should have toys from these three categories

1. Real life toys

2. Acting out aggressive toys

3. Creative and emotional expressive toys

Within these three categories, children have the greatest opportunities to foster creativity, problem solving skills, imagination, competency, and relational skills.

Here is a list of some great toys I use in my playroom and I think all children should be playing with to encourage development.

Real life toys

• Doctor Kit

• Baby doll and bottle

• Doll family

• Toy phone

• Cash register and food

• Vehicles

• Domestic and wild animals figurines

• Dress Ups

• Puppets

Acting out aggressive toys

• Toy gun

• Hancuffs

• Soft rope

• Agressive animal figurines

• Plastic sword

Creative and emotional expressive toys

• Art materials (I love paint sticks)

• Musical instruments

• Soft Ball

• Kinetic sand

• Play-Doh

Bratton, S., & Garry, L.(2020). Child parent relationship therapy (CPRT) treatment manual : a 10-session filial therapy model for training parents (2nd edition) Routledge.

Why Play Therapy? The Research Behind It

““Play makes us human””

— Peter Gray

Children naturally express themselves through play. Research shows that play therapy is an effective intervention for supporting children’s emotional, social, and behavioral development. Toys become “words” and play becomes the “language” in which children express emotions, process experiences, and build coping skills in ways that feels comfortable and natural.

Studies have found that Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT):

• Helps children process emotions and trauma in a developmentally appropriate way.

• Supports self-regulation, problem-solving, and self-confidence.

• Strengthens attachment and relationships with caregivers.

• Improves symptoms of anxiety, depression, aggression, and social difficulties

(Bratton et al., 2013; Cheng & Ray, 2016. Ray et al., 2022; Opiola & Bratton, 2018; Schottelkorb et al., 2012)

A weekly 45-minute therapeutic play session with a compassionate and attentive adult fosters confidence, creativity, and emotional expression. Children love them!

The Heart of Play Therapy- A Philosophy To help Your Child Thrive

I have a deep conviction that children come into the world primed for growth and change. One of the most significant ways we evolve is in relation to those around us. This means that a child’s support system plays a crucial role in fostering positive, lasting change.

Within relationships, all of us can experience reparation and healing that significantly contribute to flourishing.

When a child experiences an adult intentionally taking the time to see and experience the world through their eyes, the child feels safe enough to explore the world, test new ways of being, and express themselves freely.

Play therapy is unique in that it uses a child’s natural language—play—as a means for growth. Toys become “words” and play" becomes the “language” in which children express emotions, process experiences, and build coping skills in ways that feels comfortable and natural.

Through play, children engage with their feelings, build self-confidence, and practice real-world scenarios, creating pathways for growth in ways that traditional talk therapy may not offer.

Play therapy holds a special place in my heart because it requires therapists to be fully “with” the child. This simple yet powerful presence, central to Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), embodies the warmth, acceptance, and understanding that form a secure base for a child’s development. By embracing Gary Landreth’s philosophy:

“I am here, I hear you, I understand, I care, and I delight in you,”

a child can learn to feel valued, seen, and understood. When children feel accepted just as they are, they become more open to taking risks, expressing themselves, and building new skills.

Ultimately, I believe in the power of play to make a meaningful difference in children’s lives. Through the relationship between the therapist and the child, play therapy allows children to discover their strengths, build resilience, and address developmental, psychological, and behavioral challenges.

If you’re seeking a therapeutic approach that honors your child’s unique way of experiencing the world, therapeutic play could be the right fit. Together, we can help your child navigate their world with confidence, hope, and resilience.

Feel free to reach out if you’d like to learn more about how play therapy can make a difference for your family.