11 Playful parenting ideas

to connect with your child today

By
Rachel Winston
(Registered Play & Creative Arts Therapist)
 Table Of Contents

Introduction 4
1. Puppet making 5
(Increase condence, self awareness, connection and empathy).
2. This is not just a stick game!! 6
(Nurture creativity, give a feeling of acceptance, condence and
connection)
3. How are we going to get there? Helicopter or bus? 6
(Give them a sense of control and encourage imagination)
4. Mirror mirror game 7
(Give them a sense of validation, connection and increase
self awareness)
5. Dream home game! 7
(Give a sense of agency, shared connection)
6. Catch or rally 7
(Re-connect, make it easier to open up)
7. Fortune teller 8
(Have more cooperation with after school tasks & chores!)
8. Natural mandala 9
(Pattern making, connection, observation, empathy, mindfulness
& letting go)
9. Chase the doodle 10
(Attuning, turn taking, connection, validation)
10. Sensory fun 10
(Nurture, mindfulness, self awareness, self soothing)
11. Doodle story 11
(Nurture creativity, problem solving, self awareness, emotional
intelligence, connection).
message from rachel 12
 11 Playful Paren ng Ideas To Connect With Your Child Today

Introduction:
Do you want to be a more playful parent? Are you tired of nagging or shouting? Perhaps
you are already practicing a more playful parenting approach but you're losing
momentum. Do you feel a bit stuck in a rut with your kids? Do you want more ease,
connection and fun?!

Well you're in the right place. After working with hundreds of children in both educational
and therapeutic settings, I am convinced of the profound power of play to create shifts in
children's lives but also the lives of their families and community.

Play is essential for child development and for wellbeing. And it's not just for kids! It's
super important for us adults to play too! Play reduces neurobiological markers of stress
in the body. Play boosts feel good hormones and strengthens connection and bonds. I
truly believe more play makes the world a better place!

But of course, it can be hard to get to the play part…. With long working hours,
increasing school homework and busy schedules it can feel like we're just trying to get all
the things done!

This free mini resource book is here to show you that to be a playful parent with secure
and cooperative kids, you don't need hours of free time or special toys. Play can be
woven into your day giving you all a (much needed) boost!

These activities can be done on the journey to an after school class, getting ready in the
morning, or extended for fun over the weekend.

These playful ideas can be tried out in order. Perhaps do one each day as part of a
playful parenting challenge ( Use #playfulparentingchallengeday_ and tag
@Fullcupplaytherapy).

All of these activities can be modi ed to suit your child's age and interests. Use them as a
springboard and enjoy reconnecting with your loved one!

Playful high ves!

Rachel Winston
Play & Creative Arts Therapist, Parent Play Coach
www.FullCupplaytherapy.com

Copyright Rachel Winston from Full Cup Play Therapy 2018 4

 11 Playful Paren ng Ideas To Connect With Your Child Today

1. Puppet making
(Increase condence, self awareness, connection and empathy).
You can use a brown paper bag and pens. Put your hand into the brown bag and fold the
base of the bag over to act as the top of the mouth & face. Then use crafty bits or pens/
crayons to create facial features. The older the child the more elaborate you can go
including accessories if you like. Remember to let your child choose everything about
theirs. You do your own! Ask them what is their name. Then you can ask more questions
about their puppet with an open mind and curiosity. You may nd similarities with your
child's life. It is important to not be judgmental and simply wonder what it's like to be that
puppet character.

Image: http://www.auntannie.com/puppets/BrownBag/TenorDiva/

Copyright Rachel Winston from Full Cup Play Therapy 2018 5

 11 Playful Paren ng Ideas To Connect With Your Child Today

2. This is not just a stick game!!

(Nurture creativity, Give a feeling of acceptance, condence and connection)

Take turns to mime different possibilities for the stick. This is playful way to practice divergent
thinking, which is essential for creative problem solving. It also models an acceptance of self and
other. Try it out! Here's an example...

Billy: This is also a toothbrush! This is not just a toothbrush, this is also a back scratcher!

Jane: This is not just a back scratcher this is also a magic wand!

And so on!

This can also be modi ed for a box, a bag, a bit of uff! Whatever is to hand!

3. How are we going to get there? Helicopter or bus?

(Give them a sense of control and encourage imagination)
Great for moments of resistance e.g. leaving the house, making an appointment and so on! This
power struggle is your child's way of showing you that they feel out of control. Give them a feeling
of control that is age appropriate by giving them a small choice. So “are we going to go by
helicopter or bus?” then you can act out for the young ones including sound effects of course! For
older children the choice can be less imaginary if you actually have two viable choices. E.g. Bus or
train?

For most of the day, children don't have much control over their lives and they have to follow the
adults in their life. It's natural to want to feel some power and control over your life, what if you
had a boss 24/7? Help prevent the power struggles by offering some simple choices earlier on in
the day. E.g. Which bowl would you like to have your cereal in this morning?

Copyright Rachel Winston from Full Cup Play Therapy 2018 6

 11 Playful Paren ng Ideas To Connect With Your Child Today

4. Mirror mirror game

(Give them a sense of validation, connection and increase self awareness)
With young children this can be played quite naturally by just pretending you are their mirror
image and re ecting back through your movements and facial expressions.

For older children, you can introduce it as a game. Facing each other with only nger tips touching
you can take turns to be the leader or be the mirror. This can be adapted to drawing too. You can
follow them and create a mirror image. It's harder than it looks and may involve some laughter!

It helps them feel seen, validated and connected to you. Bonus tip! Keep your focus on their face
as much as you can. This shows non-verbally your interest in your child as a person rather than
just their actions. Use your peripheral vision!

5. Dream home game!

(Give a sense of agency, shared connection)
Let's create our own dream home or den! You can do this on paper by drawing your ideal home or
if you're at home why not create your own den? Use old bed sheets, towels, chairs, tables,
cushions and elastic bands. Clear the area so that it safe for your child explore taking the lead.
Hold back and observe your child try new things out, fail and then problem solve a solution. They
can get a sense of creating their own world, a sense of control and mastery! With so much to learn
day to day this can be a much craved feeling for children. At the end you get to chill out together in
your own den that you created together. Share the delight of this special space you've created for
each other!

6. Catch or rally
(Re-connect, make it easier to open up)
Another one that can be adapted for all ages. Use larger soft balls for toddlers passing back and
forth. This mirrors the pattern in speech and social interactions. It's also a great opportunity for
them to practice co-ordination and developing motor skills.

For older children, this can be modi ed from rolling to kicking to throwing back and forth. You can
simply count how long you can keep the rally going creating a joint challenge with each other. For
tweens and teens, bring in language! You can create a story by adding a word each time you have
the ball. See where the story leads! For teens that have a hard time opening up about their day or
what's on their mind, stop with the direct questions and do some back and forth with a ball. It will
ease them back into reconnecting with you, pressure off!

Bonus tip! Keep your focus on their face as much as you can. It's tempting to focus on the ball but if
it's a simple rally, you should be able to use your peripheral vision for catching. Keeping your focus
on your child's face invites more eye contact, connection and it sends the message that they are
important to you in a nonverbal way.

Copyright Rachel Winston from Full Cup Play Therapy 2018 7

 11 Playful Paren ng Ideas To Connect With Your Child Today

7. Fortune teller
(Have more cooperation with after school tasks & chores!)
Do you remember making this classic toy from your school days? I love this toy because it's cheap,
homemade, portable and highly adaptable! Traditionally it's colours on the outside, numbers on
the inside and then fortunes are revealed under the aps.

You can practice spelling colour words or any other vocabulary by your choice of drawings on the
outside of the toy. You can practice counting for the younger ones with the number choices or you
could put even more challenging spelling challenges for older kids. Instead of Fortunes, you can
put in empowering affirmations E.g. I am strong!, I am loved.

You can also put in challenges, questions, your favourite jokes or a mix of them all! This could be a
fun way to divide up chores even?! Where possible give your child the opportunity to create the
game with you. When they feel ownership of it they are more likely to want to engage in the game
together with you at a later time. I'm sure they'll have their own creative ideas and ways to
customise this game. Be open!

Images: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_fortune_teller

Copyright Rachel Winston from Full Cup Play Therapy 2018 8

 11 Playful Paren ng Ideas To Connect With Your Child Today

8. Natural mandala
(Pattern making, connection, observation, empathy, mindfulness & letting go)

Go for a short walk picking up things in nature. Set clear boundaries before hand for young ones
such as, only things that have fallen already, no picking live owers from your neighbours'
gardens!

Collect your natural treasures and place a mark out a circle on the oor. You can use chalk or tape
or leaves. Even better do this out in nature! Then quietly together (or as a family) create a pattern
within the circle. You are making a mandala! When you are nished, admire what you've created
together. Make observations out loud so your child has a model for being observant. This is a way
of observing your mood as a family in that moment, what do you notice? What does your child
notice? What part are they drawn to? How did they feel making it and how about now? Do a slow
walk around the outside and see if it appears different from different angles. This can help
stimulate their understanding of other perspectives which is highly valuable in social
relationships.

At the end, either sweep it away if it's at home or walk away from it in nature and let the wind blow
it away. This is practicing letting go and this allows us to be more present when we are having new
experiences. For those having a hard time letting go, allow them to take a photo or to say goodbye
to the creation in some way.

Image taken from http://tracey-english.blogspot.hk/2015/10/natural-mandalas.html

Copyright Rachel Winston from Full Cup Play Therapy 2018 9
 11 Playful Paren ng Ideas To Connect With Your Child Today

9. Chase the doodle

(Attuning, turn taking, connection, validation)
Using a piece of paper and a pen or crayon each, let your child be the leader and you have to chase
their doodle with your pen. Try your best to keep your focus on their face to non verbally
communicate your attention is on them and your relationship rather than what they do! Feel free to
swap roles.

This is a lovely way of getting in sync with each other similarly to the Mirror mirror game but this
game does not need as much space and energy!

10. Sensory fun

(Nurture, mindfulness, self awareness, self soothing)
Get a tray, plant pot bottom, washing up tub and put something tactile in there!
- Sand,
- shaving foam
- packaging
- mud
- cooked spaghetti.
- Water beads

It could be as simple as bubbles. This is a great way to quieten down an over active mind and get
back in touch with your body. Paying attention to your senses is a kind of easy mindfulness that
doesn't require you to sit still. Ideal for children & restless adults!

Tip: You can take advantage of nature and enjoy play with water in the stream, build a snowman,
create a sand fort. All classics for a reason!

Copyright Rachel Winston from Full Cup Play Therapy 2018 10

 11 Playful Paren ng Ideas To Connect With Your Child Today

11. Doodle story

(Nurture creativity, problem solving, self awareness, emotional intelligence,
connection).

One person times 10 seconds, the other does free doodling in one colour. The “time keeper" then
uses another colour to add to the doodle so that a more concrete image appears and so a story
develops! Take turns to add things into the story and see where it goes!

For younger children you may choose to just create images from the doodle and that is complex
enough. For older children, delight in their creative story telling and imagination!

player A player B
Tip: Boost emotional intelligence by labeling and asking about the feelings of characters in the
story. E.g. If I were…. I would feel scared! Or ask “Wow, I wonder if the dog expected that?! How
does he feel do you think?"

Copyright Rachel Winston from Full Cup Play Therapy 2018 11

 11 Playful Paren ng Ideas To Connect With Your Child Today

message FROM RACHEL

And there it is! 11 top easy peasy playful activities that you can use right away with your child. No
special toys or equipment required. Why not print this out for the fridge to remind you to play? Or
set yourself an 11 day playful parenting challenge? Try one of these ideas each day!
#playfulparentingchallengeday_

Tag me on instagram or Facebook @fullcupplaytherapy or on twitter @FCPlaytherapy when you

post! I love to see parents being proactive players!;)

Know a friend who is also interested in becoming a more playful parent and deepening the
connection to their child?

Share this freebie with them and make some playdates together!

If you have any questions or areas you'd like some guidance on, feel free to email at
Rachel@fullcupplaytherapy.com. I would love to hear your feedback and support you anyway I
can!

Sending you lots of playful best wishes!

Rachel
Play & Creative Arts Therapist, Parent Play Coach
www.fullcupplaytherapy.com

Copyright Rachel Winston from Full Cup Play Therapy 2018 12