If you have ever watched a child's shoulders drop the moment their hands hit a tray of slime, you already know what I'm talking about. There's something almost magical that happens in those first few seconds, and it's not an accident.

Slime is one of my favorite go-to tools in the therapy room, not because kids love it (though they absolutely do), but because of what it does clinically when we use it with intention.

If you have a child on your caseload who comes in wide-eyed and frozen, or who fills every session with frantic play and can barely slow down long enough to breathe then you already know that anxiety in children looks different than it does in adults.

It shows up in the body. In movement. In play.

That's exactly why play therapy is one of the most powerful clinical approaches for children struggling with anxiety. And if you're a therapist who has ever Googled "what to do with an anxious kid in session" then this post is definitely for you.

If you’re a school-based play therapist, in-home clinician, or anyone who’s ever worked out of a shared office, you know the struggle: limited space, constant transitions, and super quick turnaround time between sessions.

Luckily, you don’t need a full playroom to do meaningful, creative work. Over time, I’ve found items that are quick and easy to clean-up, easy to transport, and make a big difference in fostering the healing work that our kiddos do through play.

Here are five of my go-to favorites for a portable or limited space play kit that actually works in the real world.

Therapists know that growth takes time and helping kids understand that their small steps matter can spark motivation and self-confidence. That’s why I love the Grow Your Goals activity! It turns abstract aspirations into something visual and hands on. Whether you're working in a playroom, classroom, or counseling office, this flower-powered intervention makes goal-setting fun, concrete, and meaningful.

Kids don't just tell their stories—they move through them, jump into them, and sometimes even wiggle and roll right through the tough parts. Stories in Motion transforms a regular timeline reflection into a fully immersive play experience, helping children map out their past and imagine their future.

Designed for play therapists, school counselors, and child-focused clinicians, this activity pulls together gross motor skills, imaginative play, and therapeutic reflection to support children in understanding the past experiences that have shaped them and reflect on their future goals.

Imagine a fuzzy little bear making its way up a mountain every time your child takes a deep breath in—and curling into a cozy cave when they breathe out. Bear Mountain Breathing transforms basic breath work into a soothing adventure, blending mindfulness, play therapy, and imagination into one snuggly intervention.

This child-friendly strategy is perfect for therapists, teachers, and parents who want to introduce diaphragmatic breathing in a way that sticks—especially for younger children who learn best through movement, story, and sensory play.

Need a portable play therapy kit or mobile sand tray setup? Get this free Google Sheet with curated, clickable supply lists for therapists on the go. Perfect for school-based or traveling clinicians who need kid-ready kits fast. Includes a built-in budget and purchase tracker!

A peek into what children may be telling us about connection, perfection, and distraction

Over hundreds of sand tray sessions, I've noticed a few patterns that have emerged in the miniatures kids select. These are the top three miniatures most frequently chosen to represent parents in my sessions across the years. What they reveal is both heartwarming and heartbreaking.