Play Therapy Miniature World Building

The Circus Play Therapy Miniature World

The play therapy client will build a miniature world based on the circus characters below. The play therapy client will identify with the circus animals that have been chosen to create the miniature world.

This is another way to use play therapy miniatures, or paper doll cut outs, and create the personal inner world of the psyche. I find it interesting to see the play therapy client's perspective on life when they compare it to a circus.

You will find more play therapy miniature worlds on the links below. Try to use different miniature worlds over time with your play therapy clients to gain more information to the client's inner world.

Play Therapy Miniature World Materials:

Paper doll cutouts of the circus or plastic circus animals

Cleaned and empty 1 gallon milk jug (with the center front cut out

Markers Scissors Glue Glitter Faux Gems

*Other items found at the circus: peanuts, popcorn, feathers, etc.

Directions for Play Therapy Miniature World:

1. Using a one gallon milk jug with the front / center cut out have the client create a world that represents what circus life would look like to them.

Keep the back part of the milk jug to create a background or backdrop.

2. The play therapy client can cut out the paper dolls below or use plastic circus miniatures or animals to help create their circus world.

3. The play therapy client can also decorate the world using additional art materials such as glitter, faux gems, feathers, etc.

4. After the play therapy client has completed their world ask them to identify with each of the circus animals, people, or things in the world.

5. Ask these questions based on what characters the play therapy client put into their circus world. Who is the ring leader?

Questions to Play Therapy Client for Play Therapy Miniature World:

Who is the tiger, lion, elephant, seal, clown, strong lady or man, contortionist, jester, tight rope walker, acrobat, etc.?

Who is happy? Unhappy? What makes this play therapy world work?

What brings problems to this play therapy world?

Who needs to stay in this world? Who needs to leave this world? Does anything need to be added to this world?

6. Relate the play therapy circus world to the real world of the client. The play therapy client can take this world home as a reminder of all of the thoughts and ideas that were processed in the session. 

The Circus Miniature World to Miniature Worlds 

The Circus to Other Free Techniques & Activities 

The Circus Miniature World to Creative Counseling 101 Home

My wish is that you will find the benefits of play therapy either as a trained professional play therapist, or play therapy client!

I truly hope that Creative Counseling 101 can open the creative doors for your practice with clients!Learn the History of Play Therapy

What is Play Therapy?

What Makes a Good Play Therapist?

How to set up a Play Therapy Room

How to actually do Play Therapy

Advertise Your Play Therapy Practice for Free, Post Your Writings, Share Ideas Here:

See All Examples of Professional Play Therapists Writings and Posts & Play Therapy Graduate Student's Work Here

See More Creative Counseling Ideas Here

Disclaimer: This website and its content is intended for trained licensed mental health professionals and school certified mental health professionals to use for their clients / students at their own discretion.

*If you ignore the disclaimer above are using these techniques on yourself and you feel any discomfort or upset it is highly suggested that you seek out a licensed  mental health professional immediately.

"Beyond Art Therapy" is the concept from Dr. Stangline that combines all creative fields in therapy. It is not the traditional "art therapy" but goes beyond to include sand tray therapy, play therapy, mindfulness, meditation, color therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and a vast majority of other therapies.

For any other type of mental health emergency call your local 911 / Police Number immediately.

Dr. Stangline does not offer advice / suggestions to anyone who is not a professional mental health provider, or a student who is studying this field and has questions about mental health programs of study.