https://www.playfulhorizons.net/blog daily 0.75 2025-10-24 https://www.playfulhorizons.net/blog/5-must-have-items-for-your-portable-play-therapy-kit monthly 0.5 2025-10-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6868337ab1565e424926b3f1/b4882381-6a06-4cb4-8415-9bc409f0c39b/61Vpvlvz8WL._AC_SX679_.jpg Blog - 5 Must-Have Items for Your Portable Play Therapy Kit These are one of my absolute favorite tools. Sarah’s Silks are colorful, lightweight scarves that can turn into anything: capes, rivers, blankets, tents, costumes, or safe spaces. They take up almost no room in your bag, but open the door to so many types of play like sensory, imaginative, symbolic, and nurturing. These keep pretend play from being limited to only the costumes you have on hand and allows for clients of all shapes and sizes to utilize them equally for a more inclusive experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6868337ab1565e424926b3f1/7698be8e-61e1-4772-9c62-b7fe3658f1f3/kwikstix.jpg Blog - 5 Must-Have Items for Your Portable Play Therapy Kit I don’t know who invented these, but I’d like to send them a thank-you card. Kwik Stix are paint sticks that dry in seconds which means no brushes, no cups of water, no mess. They’re perfect for art in small spaces, quick transitions, or when you’re working in a room where mess just isn’t an option. I’m a big believer in having paint available for creative expression, but sometimes the traditional options just don’t work. If you don’t have access to a sink, need art to dry so kids can take it back to class or transport it on the bus, are sharing your space with someone else, or need to the ability to get your next client right after the current ones leaves, these paint sticks are a MUST have. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6868337ab1565e424926b3f1/3a0219f0-9c65-43fd-85e3-9e088432a02a/71r9OVKAjCL._AC_SL1500_.jpg Blog - 5 Must-Have Items for Your Portable Play Therapy Kit This one is such a hidden gem! The Dailyfunn foldable kitchen packs down small, sets up in seconds, and is easy to wipe clean. It allows kids to express nurturing themes, family dynamics, reality testing, and so much more. A good play kitchen was always the thing missing when I created portable kits or had limited space and this solves the problem. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6868337ab1565e424926b3f1/1019edc5-1883-4ec4-a7bb-061aa60da654/Blog+Main+Images%283%29.png Blog - 5 Must-Have Items for Your Portable Play Therapy Kit - Make it stand out * Blog may contain some affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you choose to buy through them. I only share items I love, trust, or would absolutely use in my own play spaces. Your support helps me keep Playful Horizons running and growing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6868337ab1565e424926b3f1/77f9bc2f-12af-449b-8485-bd3cd495bdcb/4de6d72f2155.jpg Blog - 5 Must-Have Items for Your Portable Play Therapy Kit It’s no secret that sand tray is my absolute favorite thing to use with clients, but sometimes there just isn’t room for that big, beautiful wooden rolling tray. (If you do have room, I recommend this one!) When space is limited, the portable sand tray with lid from Play Therapy Supply is an excellent option. It’s perfect for travel, school settings, or offices that don’t allow permanent setups. It comes in three sizes so you can choose what works best for you. If your budget allows, you could consider this portable starter set that includes the tray, sand, miniatures, and a tote to carry it all in. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6868337ab1565e424926b3f1/98f1a4c3-8bab-4029-b29e-64b6a6ad3612/71MPvSw0IVL._AC_SL1500_.jpg Blog - 5 Must-Have Items for Your Portable Play Therapy Kit A dollhouse is a staple in play therapy. It allows the child to process family dynamics, work on attachment, and explore real life scenarios. Unfortunately, most dollhouse are big and bulky, so they don’t transport well or they take up too much space in the room. The Fold & Go Dollhouse from Melissa and Doug is a perfect, portable size that opens up for client’s to play and then folds back for storing. It fits easily on a shelf or in a bag and even has it’s own handle for carrying from space to space as needed. I also love that it comes with several pieces of furniture and two dolls that fit neatly inside during storage or transport. https://www.playfulhorizons.net/blog/grow-your-goals-playful-activity-for-goal-setting-and-planning monthly 0.5 2025-09-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6868337ab1565e424926b3f1/009f70a8-36f9-4e15-b667-e3a6c389eec9/goalsgarden.png Blog - Grow Your Goals: Playful Activity for Goal Setting and Planning - Make it stand out * Blog may contain some affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you choose to buy through them. I only share items I love, trust, or would absolutely use in my own play spaces. Your support helps me keep Playful Horizons running and growing https://www.playfulhorizons.net/blog/storiesinmotiontimelineactivity monthly 0.5 2025-07-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6868337ab1565e424926b3f1/e72f38ac-a4e7-4798-9d5b-24c9ed7880f5/Blog+Main+Images.png Blog - Stories in Motion: A Play-Based Timeline Activity for Kids - Make it stand out * Blog may contain some affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you choose to buy through them. I only share items I love, trust, or would absolutely use in my own play spaces. Your support helps me keep Playful Horizons running and growing—thank you! https://www.playfulhorizons.net/blog/bearonthemountainbreathing monthly 0.5 2025-07-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6868337ab1565e424926b3f1/bba10cc9-70c1-4399-b5f6-c647cdc3b274/Bear+on+the+mountain%281%29.jpg Blog - Bear on the Mountain: A Mindfulness & Deep Breathing Technique for Kids - CLICK HERE to download your free printable visual guide! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6868337ab1565e424926b3f1/964372d5-dedb-489f-b51b-abb91cbbdb9a/Blog+Main+Images+%281500+x+600+px%29%281%29.png Blog - Bear on the Mountain: A Mindfulness & Deep Breathing Technique for Kids - Make it stand out * Blog may contain some affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you choose to buy through them. I only share items I love, trust, or would absolutely use in my own play spaces. Your support helps me keep Playful Horizons running and growing—thank you! https://www.playfulhorizons.net/blog/ultimateportableplaytherapysupplylists monthly 0.5 2025-07-25 https://www.playfulhorizons.net/blog/top3miniatureskidsuseforparents monthly 0.5 2025-07-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6868337ab1565e424926b3f1/0803c21c-a4d1-43b1-a77f-3f236bfe3cdf/genericpeople.png Blog - The Top 3 Miniatures Kids Use to Represent Parents in the Sand #3 – Colorful Family Counters These generic, simple figures in a variety of colors show up constantly in sand trays. Why? Because they are versatile, neutral, and carry just enough personality without being too specific. Kids often use them when: They don’t feel close to the parent. The parent is more of a “placeholder” in their life. They are trying to show structure or relationship roles. But here’s the fascinating part—often a child chooses a figure of the same color as their own to represent a parent, it often reflects a strong attachment: “This is me and this is my mom—we’re both blue. We belong together.” Play therapist tip: Keep several of these in different colors to give kids options for representing connection—or distance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6868337ab1565e424926b3f1/f16b54ab-2e4d-4335-a790-6a2e23e96c63/distracted+guy.png Blog - The Top 3 Miniatures Kids Use to Represent Parents in the Sand #1 – The Distracted Person on a Phone This one might break your heart a little. The most-used miniature to represent a parent in my practice is this figure—hunched over, eyes on a device, unaware of the world around them. Kids and teens use it to say things like: “My parent is always busy.” “They don’t really see me.” “I want them to put the phone down and just be with me.” Even when it’s placed lovingly, this figure almost always comes with a message of longing. Most often, the child just wants to be close and feel noticed. Parenting tip: Try giving your child five minutes of undivided, phone-free attention each day. It sounds small—but it builds a big bridge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6868337ab1565e424926b3f1/318a1962-7ef3-40ec-9b6e-c8dc6282c6d1/wedding.png Blog - The Top 3 Miniatures Kids Use to Represent Parents in the Sand #2 – The Bride and Groom The classic wedding couple (either joined or as separate miniatures like these) is a favorite among younger children, who often idealize their parents. These figures show up when: A child sees their parents as magical or perfect. The parents present a “picture-perfect” image to the world. The child wants to express longing for harmony between their parents. Sometimes these show up in a sweet fairy tale way of children who idolize their parents, but sometimes, children use them to explore disconnection, perfectionism, or even emotional distance: “They always smile like this in front of people, but at home they don’t talk.” Play therapist insight: Look for what surrounds the figures. Is there distance? A wall? Another figure in between? The story might be deeper than it seems. https://www.playfulhorizons.net/blog/category/Sandtray monthly 0.5 https://www.playfulhorizons.net/blog/category/Play+Therapy monthly 0.5 https://www.playfulhorizons.net/blog/category/Parents monthly 0.5 https://www.playfulhorizons.net/blog/tag/Sandtray monthly 0.5 https://www.playfulhorizons.net/blog/tag/Miniatures monthly 0.5 https://www.playfulhorizons.net/blog/tag/sandtraytherapy monthly 0.5 https://www.playfulhorizons.net/blog/tag/childtherapy monthly 0.5 https://www.playfulhorizons.net/blog/tag/attachmentplay monthly 0.5 https://www.playfulhorizons.net/blog/tag/Play+Therapy monthly 0.5 https://www.playfulhorizons.net/blog/tag/therapyactivities monthly 0.5 https://www.playfulhorizons.net/blog/tag/playtherapytools monthly 0.5 https://www.playfulhorizons.net/blog/tag/parentingtips monthly 0.5 https://www.playfulhorizons.net/blog/tag/playtherapyminiatures monthly 0.5 https://www.playfulhorizons.net/home daily 1.0 2025-12-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6868337ab1565e424926b3f1/daa19793-94e3-4a3c-a94a-fb649ae88c9e/Logo+-+Playful+Horizons+%28Document%29.png https://www.playfulhorizons.net/about daily 0.75 2025-12-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6868337ab1565e424926b3f1/daa19793-94e3-4a3c-a94a-fb649ae88c9e/Logo+-+Playful+Horizons+%28Document%29.png https://www.playfulhorizons.net/contact daily 0.75 2025-07-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6868337ab1565e424926b3f1/1722380912.615407-GTCTPXBAHABAIZMNLKEV/imgg-od3-ltcfprd2.png https://www.playfulhorizons.net/newsletter daily 0.75 2025-07-05 https://www.playfulhorizons.net/shop-1 daily 0.75 2025-09-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6868337ab1565e424926b3f1/253977c7-853f-4d38-b8cf-621a4a99acbf/stories+in+motion.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6868337ab1565e424926b3f1/44913175-2d2e-43c8-b95a-3abd901ef8c6/Goals+Garden+Printable.png https://www.playfulhorizons.net/shop daily 0.75 2025-07-10