Parent-Child Activity Library
Therapist-approved activities to strengthen your connection, build emotional intelligence, and create meaningful moments together.
Find the Perfect Activity
Filter by age, time available, or specific needs
Question Jar
Create a jar filled with conversation starters to use at dinner or bedtime.
Ages: 4-18 years
Time: 5-15 minutes
🧰Materials: Jar, paper strips, pen
Benefits: Communication, Connection, Curiosity
Family Time Capsule
Create and bury (or store) a time capsule together to open in the future.
Ages: 5+ years
Time: 60+ minutes
🧰Materials: Container, mementos, photos, letters
Benefits: Bonding, Reflection, Memory-making
Special Time
Dedicate 10-15 minutes of one-on-one time following your child's lead.
Ages: All ages
Time: 10-15 minutes
🧰Materials: None
Benefits: Attachment, Self-esteem, Trust
Family Handshake
Create a unique, multi-step handshake that only your family knows.
Ages: 4+ years
Time: 20-30 minutes
🧰Materials: None
Benefits: Identity, Belonging, Fun
Featured Activity: Emotion Charades
Emotion Charades
A playful way to build emotional intelligence through movement and expression
15-20 minutes
Ages 3-12
Connection
Emotional Intelligence
How to Play:
- Create cards with different emotions (or use our printable set)
- Take turns drawing a card and acting out the emotion without words
- Others guess what emotion is being portrayed
- After guessing, discuss: "When do you feel this way?" and "What helps when you feel this way?"
Therapeutic Benefits:
- Builds emotional vocabulary beyond "happy," "sad," and "mad"
- Develops facial and body awareness of emotional expression
- Creates opportunities to discuss coping strategies for difficult emotions
- Enhances empathy by recognizing emotions in others
Therapist Tip:
For younger children, start with basic emotions and gradually introduce more complex ones like disappointment, jealousy, or pride. For older children, add intensity levels (slightly annoyed vs. furious) or mixed emotions.
The Science Behind Play
These activities aren't just fun—they're based on research about how children develop emotionally and socially. When you engage in quality play and connection with your child, you're:
- Building neural connections that support emotional regulation
- Creating a secure attachment that serves as a foundation for healthy relationships
- Teaching social skills through modeling and practice
- Providing opportunities to process experiences and emotions in a safe context
Even 10-15 minutes of focused, quality interaction can have significant benefits for your child's development and your relationship.