Play Therapy Activity
Candy Land Miniature World

Play Therapy Candy Land (Miniature World)

The play therapy client will build a candy land world that is a safe and protective place where they can put vulnerable emotions.

Materials Needed for Play Therapy Candy Land World:

- 1 sturdy paper plate (Try Styrofoam)

- 1 can of white frosting (This is your snow.)

- 1 small, empty and cleaned, milk carton with the top stapled shut (This is the base of your house.)

- Six Graham Crackers (These will cover your milk carton.)

- Ice Cream Sugar Cone (This is your tree.)

Assorted candy and cookies for decorating: M&M’s, peppermint, skittles, licorice, candy canes, cookies, suckers, gingerbread men.

Assorted sprinkles

Colored tube frosting if desired

Directions for Your Play Therapy Candy World:

1. Turn your plate upside down. Cover your plate with ½ of the frosting.

2. Place your milk carton on the plate. Cover it with the 1/4 of the frosting.

3. Add the graham crackers to each side of the milk carton. Don’t forget the roof of the house (top of the milk carton). You will need to break the graham crackers in half for the roof.

4. Place the ice cream cone upside down in the yard next to the house. This will be your tree. Put a small amount of frosting around the cone.

5. Add the remaining frosting to the house roof top and sides.

6. Decorate your house and tree with the assorted candy and cookies.

7. Eat and enjoy or save for another day.

8. Cover your house with a large clear plastic bag. Tie at the top. This will keep your Candy World fresh and tasty.

Questions for the play therapist to process with the client:

Ask client to talk about their play therapy candy land world they created. The play therapist may ask questions such as:

What was it like to create this play therapy world?

Why did you add the candy, miniatures, etc.?

What feelings do these miniatures or candy represent to you?

Do you want to add more items to your play therapy world?

Do you want to take anything away from your play therapy world?

Do you want to change your play therapy world in any way?

What is it like to live here in this play therapy world?

What feelings are present in this world?

How are the miniatures in this play therapy world safe?

Who are what make this play therapy world safe?

Do we need to add the safe part to this play therapy world?

What do you need to do to get rid of the unsafe parts of this play therapy world?

What do you want / need to say to the play therapy world?

What is it like for you experiencing this play therapy world?

What words would describe your experience today?

What did you learn from this play therapy world?

What needs to change / stay the same in this world?

What protection does this world need in order to feel and stay safe?

How can you translate this perspective to real life?

Therapist: It is now time to translate your client’s plants and animal using the SYMBOLS DICTIONARY. Discuss this translation with your client in the next session.

Candy Land Miniature World to Play Therapy Miniature Worlds

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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.