Creative Dress-Up Ideas for Play Therapy
- Tasha Milligan
- 12 minutes ago
- 4 min read
You can take your play therapy office to the next level by adding dress-up items for your kids. I have collected some fantastic ideas from the web to keep things inexpensive, yet engaging and fun. Some of these ideas are incredibly imaginative. Best of all, these are all inexpensive DIYs, so you can fill your office with all sorts of goodies without breaking the bank.
Apron Princess Costumes
by Rosyscription
These are adorable and perfect for play therapy because they would be easy to put on and take off. You could take the concept and make any princess (or other character) out of them. I also dig the hair. It's such a great idea.
by Simple Everyday Mom
This website offers tons of free printables. This article alone says it has 61 headbands! Check it out for creative ways to dress children as their favorite animals. I love that these are made from paper so you can make it and send it home with the child. Kids love to be able to take things home and it becomes a reminder of the work that was done in session.
by Mas and Pas
You can make superhero capes out of t-shirts, velcro, and felt. These would be relatively inexpensive and easy to make. They would also be quick and easy to put on and use in play therapy.
by Fort Birthday
I don't know how many times I have wished to have wings to fly away from a situation. With these felt wings, kids could experience the freedom to fly through play. Where would you go? What would be different there? Who would go with you? There are so many ways to process through this lens.
Related Post: Online Play Therapy Rooms
by Make It - Love It
Kids can have their tool belt strapped on so they can get to some serious work in the playroom. You can use the tools as a segue to talk about a coping skill toolbox and discuss the different tools they could use when they need help regulating their emotions. This is an easy project if you have basic sewing skills.
by Latifano Studio
These are free printable crown templates that you can print out and have children decorate. With this easy-peasy printable, kids can be kings and queens for the day. I often have kids who seem to want to be in control for a while. This is usually due to feeling powerless in other settings.
by Andrea's Notebook
These are too cute! I know some dino-loving kids who would love them. They could be helpful for timid children who want to feel empowered or for little ones who want to express aggression through play.
Related Post: Counseling Games You Can Play For Free!
by Krokatak
This site offers a tutorial for making paper hats. They have a basic template for the hat, which you can decorate with different printables. What a clever idea!
by Make It - Love It
This one could be difficult, but with so many weather fears and worries, it could be worth it! I love the creativity on this one. This one hits home since I live in tornado alley!
by Oh Yay Studio
Here's another weather-related costume idea. This costume offers a silver lining after the storm. I like the imagery that even in bad situations, something beautiful can come from it. This could be helpful in teaching children to reframe how they think about things.
Related Post: Free List of Games to Use in Therapy
by Make It - Love It
These emoji costumes allow kids to communicate their feelings by putting them on. These would be good for little ones who may enjoy acting out their emotions and situations rather than using words.
Do you have gobs of paper bags from the grocery store? I know I do! This would be a valuable way to use them up. This site offers information on how to use them, but you do have to join their site for free to get the goods.
by Costume Works
If you can dress kids up as the characters, they can engage in dramatic play. You could use a non-directive approach and let them take the play where they need to, or you could use a directive approach and create an interview with the characters. This may help them understand the purpose behind emotions and how to process them on a deeper level. Here are some interview questions to consider:
Where did you come from?
When did you first appear?
Why are you here?
What are you trying to tell us when you are here?
Who are your relatives?
How can you help us?
What are your goals?
What do you need?
Where do you go when you leave?
For all things Inside Out, check out my post about using Inside Out characters in play therapy.
Thanks for reading this post! I'd love to hear your favorite dress-up ideas. Drop a comment so we can all learn from one another.
Be sure to read the other blog posts in this creative play therapy interventions series:
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