Playful Ways to Discuss Mental Health with Your Kids

Today, on World Mental Health Day, we are reminded of the importance of caring for our mental wellbeing – and that of our children. As parents, we play a crucial role in nurturing our kids’ emotional health, but talking about it can sometimes feel so…BROAD. What do you focus on? What do you bring up first? What should you say?

This post aims to make the conversation easier using my specialty: play! Combining practical tips and topics with fun activities makes the whole family feel safe and gets them engaged and listening. It’s important to create an environment where mental wellness can be openly and safely discussed, but we don’t have to achieve that via long, boring lectures – play will do the job just as well, if not better.

Here are some activity suggestions to get your family talking about mental health not just today, but anytime of the year!

Topic: General Feelings/Emotions

1. Draw Your Feelings: Gather simple art supplies and sit at the kitchen table together. All family members draw 3 pictures: something that makes them feel sad, something that makes them feel angry, and something that makes them feel happy. When complete, share your answers! If someone doesn’t want to share, don’t pressure them. (Recommended ages 6-11)
2. Inside Out Watch Party: Grab some snacks and watch Disney’s Inside Out (1 or 2). As you watch, talk about how the various feelings impact Riley – and us. (Recommended ages: 5 and up)
3. Feelings Charades: Write some feeling words on slips of paper and place them in a bowl. Family members should take turns drawing a piece of paper and acting out the feeling they receive as others guess. (Recommended ages: Littles as young as 3 can participate if paired with a partner who can read!)

Related reading: 9 Ways Parents can Promote Mental Health in Kids

Topic: Self-Care

1. No-Screen Scene: Work together as a family to make a list of FREE activities that don’t involve phones, TV, or other digital devices. At least once a week, pick an activity from the list to participate in together…and keep devices in another room. Discuss how breaks from screens are good for all of us. (Recommended ages: friendly for all ages, depending upon the activities you choose.) Here’s a simple list to get you started:
   • Bake something new
   • Build a pillow fort
   • Create a sidewalk chalk masterpiece
   • Hold a family talent show
2. Alphabet Yoga: Family members stand in a circle. Whoever starts will invent a stretch or exercise that starts with an A. (For example, clapping arms together for an Alligator pose). Other family members will complete the same action as well. The next person will make up a pose that begins with a B, and so on until the alphabet is complete. (Recommended ages: comfort with the alphabet is ideal, but younger ones may still enjoy doing the movements with everyone else!)

Related reading: Dos and Donts of Screen Time in Kids

Topic: Boundaries and Consent

1. Red Light, Green Light: Play the classic game with your family:
   • Choose a leader to stand 20 feet or so away while other players line up on the starting line.
   • When the leader says, “Green light,” everyone will move toward the leader.
   • When the leader says “Red light,” everyone must freeze in place. Anyone who gets caught moving during the red light must return to the starting line and begin again.
   • Continue until all players have crossed the finish line.
   • After a couple of rounds, discuss how this applies to consent in real life – if someone gives a red light (aka says stop, I don’t like that, etc), it’s important that others listen and stop what they’re doing. (Recommended ages 3-8)

Related Reading: What to Do When Kids Cross YOUR Boundaries

Topic: Empathy, Self-Compassion, and Self-Love

1. Letter to Me: Gather notebook paper and items to write with. Each family member will write a letter to him/herself (simple format to follow below) that shows care for their own respective challenges and needs. When complete, each family member can read their letter and receive empathy and understanding from the others. (Recommended ages: 8 and up.) Suggested template:
   • Dear _____________. Sometimes you feel great, like when _____________! Other times feel tough, such as when ______________. No matter what, you always do the best you can. I’m proud of you.
2. Empathy is Sweet: For this, you will need something small and colorful, such as beads or small candies (like M&Ms or Skittles). Each family member will take a handful of whatever item you’ve chosen. Give one response to each question below depending on how many items you have of each color; for example, if you have 2 orange beads, provide 2 answers to the orange question. Listeners should practice empathizing with the speaker’s responses! (Recommended ages: 5 and up). Questions:
   • Red: something that bugs you
   • Orange: what you like about your family
   • Yellow: what you like about yourself
   • Green: something you wish were different
   • Purple: something you’re looking forward to
3. The ME Collage: set out whatever collage supplies you’ve got on hand: paper, old magazines and newspapers, stickers, markers, scissors, and glue or tape. Each family member will create a collage about their interests, hobbies, and talents. When complete, put up the collages and admire your family gallery! (Recommended ages: 10 and up.)

Related reading: Should Parents Avoid Media Where Child Characters Behave “Badly”?

Talking to your kids about mental health isn’t a one-time event, but an ongoing dialogue that evolves as they grow. By fostering open communication, you are giving them HUGE tools to navigate life’s challenges with resilience – and know they can always return to you for understanding and guidance.