At Seattle Play Therapy, we try to come up with systems for our playroom that support both the therapist and the child. Often, it’s the little tools and hacks that make the biggest difference in helping sessions flow smoothly and creatively. Here are some of our favorite pro tips for stocking and organizing your play therapy room.
1. Mounting Putty
Keep a pack of mounting putty handy (the same kind people use to hang posters). In play therapy, it doubles as a way to stick figurines onto other objects—suddenly a superhero can perch on a wall, or a dollhouse picture can stay right where the child wants it. It’s easy to remove and doesn’t leave residue, making it perfect for flexible scene-setting.
2. Dollhouse Miniatures
Miniatures and real-life objects bring the dollhouse to life. They give children the chance to create whole stories with furniture, food, pets, and household objects. We also have downloadable dollhouse posters, which can be stuck inside using—you guessed it—mounting putty. Suddenly the house feels decorated and personalized.
3. Sensory Shelf
Set up a sensory shelf with small cups or jars filled with sensory materials like glue, activator, baking soda, salt, flour, cornstarch, shaving cream, and vinegar. Children can mix and match textures, explore with their senses, and practice flexibility and problem-solving. Pre-pouring into small plastic ramekins helps keep the therapist regulated while giving the child freedom to explore within containment. We reuse the dry cups and toss the glue.
Check out our blog on The Power of Slime to learn how we use it therapeutically.
4. Visual Timer
A visual timer can help children see how much time is left, supporting smoother transitions. For some children, knowing what to expect reduces anxiety and helps them manage their play time more effectively.
5. Real Objects from Goodwill
Kids love working with “real” objects, especially ones they see adults using in daily life. Stock your room with old cell phones, TV remotes, or even a real set of keys from a thrift shop. These props often spark authentic role play—calling a parent, turning off the TV, or locking a door—that connects directly to the child’s lived experience.
6. Balloon Pump
Skip the dizziness (and germs) of blowing up balloons by keeping a balloon pump in the room. Balloons are wonderful tools for co-regulation, connection, and even as metaphors for feelings.
7. Water Jars for Painting
If your room doesn’t have a sink, keep two jars handy—one filled with water for painting, and another empty one for quick refills. This way, children don’t get stuck mid-art project without clean water. It’s simple, but it makes painting smoother and more enjoyable. We like to reuse recycled food jars for this.
8. Therapist-Only Shelf
We keep a shelf out of children’s reach stocked with therapist-only items like wet wipes, extra water, and paper towels. This makes cleanup and transitions much easier while keeping supplies safely managed.
9. Fort Building Supplies
Fort building is such a natural and timeless part of children’s play. It gives children creative freedom to design cozy and safe places that can become anything from a safe hideout to a fortress of power.
We’ve found that the Tote-a-Fort set makes fort building especially easy. Its compact, lightweight tarp pieces have Velcro edges, so they can be quickly attached and reattached in endless ways. One of our favorite pro tips is to add a few Command Strips around the room—children usually discover them on their own and figure out how to anchor the fort pieces in ways that expand their play.
See Tote-a-Fort in action!
Final Tip
You don’t need to buy everything at once. Build your collection gradually, and look for opportunities to repurpose items you already have or find secondhand. These small touches make your playroom both practical and magical—a place where children can create, explore, and heal.
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