therapeutic art activities for home · created by: fiona lewis – art psychotherapist. 2020. art...

Activity Pack 1. Created by: Fiona Lewis – Art Psychotherapist. 2020. ART THERAPY WINDOW For use by Arden Fields School only. Image credentials: clipart.email; clipart-library.com; clipartsfree.net

Therapeutic Activities for

Home

Dear parents, carers, young people,

Whilst there may be uncertainty at this moment in time, we would like to offer something

tangible for you. These activities offer time to play, imagine, connect, reflect! Here is a chance

to discover more about each other, hold space for one another and have fun as a family. This

pack contains coping skills, relaxation techniques and therapeutic projects to work on.

It is up to you how you decide to work through the activities. You may find some are more

appealing to you than others. There is no right or wrong! Some of these ideas might be just

what’s needed on a particular day. Art making is a great way to express feelings, let go and

wind-down. Enjoy!


Build a den!

Dens can make us feel safe and secure. Where will you make your den? In the

house or the garden? You could build a den together or make one each! Can you

help each other out?

Create a den-making checklist:

1. _________________

2. _________________

3. _________________

4. _________________

5. _________________

How would you describe your den? Peaceful? Cosy? When do you think you will

most need your den? You might want to spend some quiet time in your den reading

a book or listening to music.


Draw yourself as a SUPERHERO!

What is your name? What is your story? What are your superpowers? How would

you describe yourself in three words? How is your superhero-self similar to your real-

life self?


Paint splattering

This is a group activity to do in the garden on a nice sunny day.

You will need:

1. A large area covered with paper.

2. Rollers, sponges, decorating brushes

3. Paint palettes or recycled pots

4. Ready-mixed paint

5. Old clothes to wear! J

Each family member chooses a colour. Get creative! Use lots of

movement to create shapes, splatters and brush strokes. What is it like to

make messy art? Does it feel exhilarating? Have a look together at your

group painting when you are finished. Is there a part that you really like?

Maybe you could keep that part and frame it!


POSTCARDS

Write a postcard from an imaginary place and ‘send’ it home. Where are you? How long

have you been there? What do you like about this place? What do you miss about home?

What picture will you draw on the back? Maybe you could stick your postcards up on the

fridge!


Draw yourself as an animal…

Put your finished pictures up on the wall like they are in a gallery!

Guess which family member is which! Why do you think they chose that animal?

Name three qualities of your animal.

Sociable Funny Kind


5-4-3-2-1

GROUNDING TECHNIQUE Grounding brings your focus back to what is happening to you physically – whether that be

focusing on your body or your surroundings. This can free us from anxious thoughts.

Sit comfortably, close your eyes and take a couple of deep breathes. In through your nose

(count to 3), out through your mouth (count to 3). Now open your eyes and look around

you. Name out loud:

5 – things you can see

4 – things you can feel

3 – things you can hear

2 – things you can smell

1 – thing you can taste


CREATE A PICTURE OF AN IMAGINARY SAFE SPACE

Some people visualise their safe space when they are meditating or deep

breathing. Others use it if they need to take their focus away from anxious

thoughts.

Where is your safe space? What are you doing there? What colours have you

used for your safe space?

You might want to use art materials that reflect how you feel in that space.

You might use watercolours as they can look quite dreamy and calm. You

might use bold acrylics as you enjoy vibrant, strong colours. You could even

use collaging techniques to piece together your image.


BOX BREATHING Box breathing is a technique that can be used to focus on all corners of the breath – the

inhale, the breath hold, the exhale, the breath hold. It can reduce stress, improve mood

and help with insomnia by calming the nervous system before bed.

Find somewhere quiet. Choose a spot where you can sit upright and feel comfortable. Try box

breathing using this image as a prompt. Breathe slowly - in through your nostrils, out through

your mouth. Ideally you will want to repeat the box breathing up to four times in one sitting.

If you are new to this you may feel a little dizzy so stay sitting for a minute afterwards. Please

check to make sure this is appropriate for you. There is plenty of information online and also

other types of breathing exercises if you feel this one isn’t right for you.


Scribble your stress out Imagine stress as a colour. Each person’s colour might be different.

Scribble that colour!

Release all of that tension.

Notice your body begin to relax. You might notice that you let out a sigh or

take a deep breath. That is your body’s nervous system resetting itself.

Tip: You may want to work on individual pieces of paper rather than as a

group- as scribbling all over one image could actually intensify any feelings.


Gratitude Jar

Make a gratitude jar. Decorate it however you wish. Whenever you notice something that

makes you feel good, write it down as something you are thankful for and put it in the jar. It

can feel really good to reflect on what you are grateful for in your life. It might be something

big or small. It could be: playing with your dog in the garden, going for a nice walk, or eating

your favourite food together.


If I were the weather today…

Our emotions and feelings change just like the weather. Create a mood chart or ‘weather

station’ with each of your names on. Place it somewhere in your home where it is accessible

but doesn’t make it the main point of focus all the time. You could decide together where

you want it to go.

Create your own personal weather symbols to represent different emotions you experience.

These can then be placed onto the ‘weather station’ as appropriate for you. This can be an

easier way of letting others know how things are for you each day. You might even want to

include a little bit of writing underneath each one – for example: ‘stormy’ (angry) = I might

want some space for a while, ‘sunny’ (happy) = I am okay to talk and spend time with

others, ‘rainy’ sad = I want someone to sit with me.

You can make this however you need it to be. Making the symbols can be a useful part of

the process to do when you are feeling relaxed and open-minded to the activity. Some of

you may want to start it before others and that’s okay too!


Create your own Zentangles

Zentangle art is great for relaxation and focusing the mind. You only really

need pen and paper!

Start with a smallish sized piece of paper or card and a fine pen. This way it

won’t feel too overwhelming to complete. Draw out a shape of your choice

and then divide into sections. You could even draw around each other’s hands.

Fill each section with a different pattern. In the picture above someone has

used Sellotape to draw out circular sections. Get creative and find other

interesting shaped objects to use!


We hope you enjoyed these activities! Let us know which ones you enjoyed

the most. There will be more activities coming your way in the near future!

therapeutic art activities for home · created by: fiona lewis – art psychotherapist. 2020. art...

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