Play Therapy isn't as simple as playing with toys, nor is setting up a play room. It doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Most Play Therapists don't have the opportunity of designing the dimensions of their room from the ground up. Many only have an office corner. It's not so much about the room and the toys as it is about the therapist's knowledge of Play Therapy. Opinions vary widely about play room setup, but there are a few key elements to keep in mind. Here are some suggestions based on several years of experience.

Room Design

A big room allows more flexibility, but a small area is better than nothing. A Complete Play Therapy Kit will stock a room that is approximately 10 x 10 or larger. If you have a small area, just stick with the toy necessities, or purchase a Portable Play Therapy Kit. Your toy collection can be big or small as long as you have the right toys and enough space to play. The room should be in a quiet and uninterrupted environment. Kids are loud, so locate the room accordingly. It's best to have a sink nearby to wash up, especially if you use paint and sand. You might want to consider painting the walls with white semi-gloss paint for ease of clean up. Distracting colors and artwork should be avoided. Vinyl floors are also a big help when dealing with paint or sand. If you only have a corner of an office, you can add cabinets for the toys, but make sure the doors are open before the child arrives.

Lay Out

Toys should be arranged on open shelves with each toy visible. If the child can't see it, they mostly likely won't ask for it. Group the toys into appropriate categories and avoid crowding. If a video camera is used for supervision or forensic purposes, it should be small and mounted out of reach.

Types of Toys

Not every child will play with the same toys. The list is endless, but the key is to have the right selection. A good example of the toys you need are in the Complete Play Therapy Kit from Counselingtoys.com. The kit is designed with toys that are specifically recommended for non-directive Play Therapy. The Portable Play Therapy Kit is a smaller, portable version of the Complete Play Therapy Kit. It can be substituted for the complete kit if you're short of space. If you have the proper training, you can start Play Therapy immediately with one of our kits. The kits can even be customized to fit your particular situation. Other items you might consider adding are a play kitchen set, art easel, and a sand box. If you have a limited budget, you can always start small and add more later. Expensive toys with all the bells and whistles aren't necessary. In fact, it's best if the toys are kept simple and cheap. Simple toys allow formore interaction and are easily replaceable if broken. Setting limits will somewhat prevent broken toys, but some will eventually get broken anyway. If a child needs something to break, give them things like bubble wrap or egg cartons.

Play Room Maintenance

Setting up a play therapy room isn't a one time task. It requires continuous maintenance and attention to detail. Maintaining your play room is just as important as what you stock it with. Broken toys should be replaced/removed promptly. Broken/used up toys are frustrating for the child and hinder progress. You should schedule enough time between clients to clean/reorganize/restock your play room. The room should be exactly the same way for each session. The child should be able to return each week to the same place they're used to. If not, the child may get stuck in exploration and never progress.

Please contact Counselingtoys.com if you have any questions about setting up your play room. We'll be glad to help you design a custom solution.

Play room pictures are coming soon. If you'd like to have your playroom featured here, please contact us.

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