Art Therapy Activities for Children and Teens
By Sarah Earles, MS, LPC, NCC | July 18, 2025
There are many different types of therapy: mental health therapy, art therapy, equine therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy. Within mental health therapy, there are many methods of therapy: drama, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), music, and more. Children and teens can especially gain from mental health therapy that includes art interventions. Art is a special form of expression that engages the mind and the body, providing many benefits.
Expressive arts are beneficial for children and teens for many reasons. One reason is that children and teens tend to have fewer verbal abilities than adults (Weisensee, 2023). Art allows children and teens to practice self-expression without the use of words. Art can be a means by which to release stress (Kentucky Counseling Center, 2021). Art can allow children and teens of all shapes, sizes, and abilities to participate, making it an extremely accessible intervention. Using art in therapy allows for practice of creativity judgement-free environment, which is not so common elsewhere in their lives (Georgetown Behavioral Health Institute, 2016). This can help build self-esteem. Almost all children and teens can benefit from learning more about themselves and becoming more secure in their identities.
Art therapists may do art exclusively with clients. Other professionally licensed therapists may still use art in session, however. These activities are considered interventions rather than a theory of therapy. Art interventions may include, but not be limited to:
- Boat-storm-lighthouse activity for exploring sources of support
- Collage for vision boarding or future self-planning
- Coloring for regulation
- Continuous or non-dominant hand drawing to increase tolerance for imperfection
- Coping skills sun to name strengths and supports
- Drawing of emotions for externalization
- Emotion monsters as another way to externalize emotions and/or sort them out
- Emotion wheel to expand emotional fluency
- Family shield to build connections
- Guided drawing to practice coregulation
- Mood mandala to reduce stress
- Painting to music to explore emotional congruence and incongruence
- “Pieces of Me” for self exploration
- Pictionary for practicing communication and use of words
- Real versus ideal self drawing
- Safe Place drawing for EMDR resourcing
- The “Scribble it Out” protocol for EMDR trauma processing
- Snowflakes to focus on the value of uniqueness
- Social stories to teach about expectations and steps in processes
- Storyboarding to build strength
- Superhero drawing to access inner strength
- Tree of life for identity work
- “Where Do I Feel?” body for recognizing somatic presentation of emotions
Boat-storm-lighthouse can be used with families and/or groups to examine perceived sources of danger and resources for support (Cousineau, n.d.). Collage can be used for vision-boarding or future self-planning (Mehlomakulu, 2012). Coloring can be used for mindfulness and regulation (Cuc, 2022). Continuous or non-dominant hand drawing can help increase tolerance for imperfection (Pelissier, n.d.). The coping skills sun can help clients focus on skills, strengths, and supports (Batiste, 2018). Drawing emotions can help externalize them and allow children to feel in control of those emotions (Todd, 2024). Emotion monsters can be used for this purpose, or, in conjunction with reading the book, The Color Monster by Anna Llenas (2018), they can be used to sort out “mixed” emotions (Love, Play, Grow, n.d.) The emotion wheel can help build and strengthen emotional fluency (Klammer, n.d.). The family shield can help promote collaboration and healthy bonding between family members (Helpful Healer, 2021). Guided drawing (with an adult giving steps, in person, or via a video) can help with the practice of coregulation and correction with caregiver (Complex Trauma Resources, n.d.). Mood mandalas can help reduce stress (Crouteau, 2024). Painting to music can help develop emotional congruence and explore incongruences (Gillette, 2022). “Pieces of Me” can help explore different aspects of self (Busy B Elementary Resources, n.d.). Pictionary can help practice communication and use of words, as per the Trust Based Relational Intervention life value of using words (Winters & Herron, 2021). Drawing the real versus ideal self can help the therapist explore self-concept and self-esteem (Moran, n.d.). Safe place drawing can help with resourcing in EMDR (Zolik, 2021). EMDR clinicians may use scribbling as a form of bilateral stimulation to help with trauma processing (Mikelson, 2018). Creating snowflakes can help focus on the unique value of each human being (Gilette). Social stories help children and teens learn about expectations for behavior, or steps in a process (Gray, 2024). Storyboarding can help build ego strength (Croteau). Superhero drawing can help access inner strength (Gillette). The tree of life exercise helps explore identity and family origins (Weller, n.d.). “Where do I feel?” can help kids link emotions and bodily sensations (Therapist Aid, 2024). Ideas for art interventions in therapy are truly endless!
Are art therapy interventions for everyone? They can be, but not all kids and teens want to do art in session with their therapists. It is ultimately up to caregivers and professionals to honor child’s preferences to help determine the best types of therapy and therapeutic interventions.
Recommended Reads
There are many different types of therapy: mental health therapy, art therapy, equine therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy. Within mental health therapy, there are many methods of therapy: drama, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), music, and more. Children and teens can especially gain from mental health therapy that includes art interventions. Art is a special form of expression that engages the mind and the body, providing many benefits.
Expressive arts are beneficial for children and teens for many reasons. One reason is that children and teens tend to have fewer verbal abilities than adults (Weisensee, 2023). Art allows children and teens to practice self-expression without the use of words. Art can be a means by which to release stress (Kentucky Counseling Center, 2021). Art can allow children and teens of all shapes, sizes, and abilities to participate, making it an extremely accessible intervention. Using art in therapy allows for practice of creativity judgement-free environment, which is not so common elsewhere in their lives (Georgetown Behavioral Health Institute, 2016). This can help build self-esteem. Almost all children and teens can benefit from learning more about themselves and becoming more secure in their identities.
Art therapists may do art exclusively with clients. Other professionally licensed therapists may still use art in session, however. These activities are considered interventions rather than a theory of therapy. Art interventions may include, but not be limited to:
- Boat-storm-lighthouse activity for exploring sources of support
- Collage for vision boarding or future self-planning
- Coloring for regulation
- Continuous or non-dominant hand drawing to increase tolerance for imperfection
- Coping skills sun to name strengths and supports
- Drawing of emotions for externalization
- Emotion monsters as another way to externalize emotions and/or sort them out
- Emotion wheel to expand emotional fluency
- Family shield to build connections
- Guided drawing to practice coregulation
- Mood mandala to reduce stress
- Painting to music to explore emotional congruence and incongruence
- “Pieces of Me” for self exploration
- Pictionary for practicing communication and use of words
- Real versus ideal self drawing
- Safe Place drawing for EMDR resourcing
- The “Scribble it Out” protocol for EMDR trauma processing
- Snowflakes to focus on the value of uniqueness
- Social stories to teach about expectations and steps in processes
- Storyboarding to build strength
- Superhero drawing to access inner strength
- Tree of life for identity work
- “Where Do I Feel?” body for recognizing somatic presentation of emotions
Boat-storm-lighthouse can be used with families and/or groups to examine perceived sources of danger and resources for support (Cousineau, n.d.). Collage can be used for vision-boarding or future self-planning (Mehlomakulu, 2012). Coloring can be used for mindfulness and regulation (Cuc, 2022). Continuous or non-dominant hand drawing can help increase tolerance for imperfection (Pelissier, n.d.). The coping skills sun can help clients focus on skills, strengths, and supports (Batiste, 2018). Drawing emotions can help externalize them and allow children to feel in control of those emotions (Todd, 2024). Emotion monsters can be used for this purpose, or, in conjunction with reading the book, The Color Monster by Anna Llenas (2018), they can be used to sort out “mixed” emotions (Love, Play, Grow, n.d.) The emotion wheel can help build and strengthen emotional fluency (Klammer, n.d.). The family shield can help promote collaboration and healthy bonding between family members (Helpful Healer, 2021). Guided drawing (with an adult giving steps, in person, or via a video) can help with the practice of coregulation and correction with caregiver (Complex Trauma Resources, n.d.). Mood mandalas can help reduce stress (Crouteau, 2024). Painting to music can help develop emotional congruence and explore incongruences (Gillette, 2022). “Pieces of Me” can help explore different aspects of self (Busy B Elementary Resources, n.d.). Pictionary can help practice communication and use of words, as per the Trust Based Relational Intervention life value of using words (Winters & Herron, 2021). Drawing the real versus ideal self can help the therapist explore self-concept and self-esteem (Moran, n.d.). Safe place drawing can help with resourcing in EMDR (Zolik, 2021). EMDR clinicians may use scribbling as a form of bilateral stimulation to help with trauma processing (Mikelson, 2018). Creating snowflakes can help focus on the unique value of each human being (Gilette). Social stories help children and teens learn about expectations for behavior, or steps in a process (Gray, 2024). Storyboarding can help build ego strength (Croteau). Superhero drawing can help access inner strength (Gillette). The tree of life exercise helps explore identity and family origins (Weller, n.d.). “Where do I feel?” can help kids link emotions and bodily sensations (Therapist Aid, 2024). Ideas for art interventions in therapy are truly endless!
Are art therapy interventions for everyone? They can be, but not all kids and teens want to do art in session with their therapists. It is ultimately up to caregivers and professionals to honor child’s preferences to help determine the best types of therapy and therapeutic interventions.
Recommended Reads
References
Batiste, N. (2018). Engaging children with therapeutic art resources: 5 powerful practice activities. Liana Lowenstein. http://www.lianalowenstein.com/articleProfBatiste.pdf
Busy B Elementary Resources. (n.d.). Pieces of me. Teachers Pay Teachers. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Pieces-of-Me-Ice-Breaker-Activity-First-Day-All-About-Me-10863115?st=e9b18019ae31e6cb0358dfa647c8f04a
Complex Trauma Resources. (n.d.) Co-regulation. https://www.complextrauma.org/glossary/co-regulation/
Cousineau, S. (n.d.). Boat-storm-lighthouse drawing. Sinthia Cousineau. https://www.sinthiacousineau.com/group-art-therapy.html
Crouteau, J. (2024, May 16). 22 art therapy activities to help kids identify and manage their feelings. We are teachers. https://www.weareteachers.com/art-therapy-activities/
Cuc, A. (2022, Jan 25). Mindfulness through coloring. Mayo Clinic Connect. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/living-with-mild-cognitive-impairment-mci/newsfeed-post/mindfulness-through-coloring/
Georgetown Behavioral Health Institute. (2016, August 2). Benefits of expressive art therapy for children. https://www.georgetownbehavioral.com/blog/expressive-art-therapy-for-children
Gillette, C. (2022, January 27). 100 art therapy ideas and prompts. Alternative to Meds. https://www.alternativetomeds.com/blog/art-therapy-ideas/
Gray, C. (2024). What is a social story. Carol Gray Social Stories. https://carolgraysocialstories.com/social-stories/what-is-it/
Helpful Healer. (2021, June 28). Family shield activity. https://helpfulhealer.wordpress.com/2021/06/28/family-shield-activity/
Kentucky Counseling Center. (2021, July 19). Can kids benefit from art therapy? https://kentuckycounselingcenter.com/can-kids-benefit-from-art-therapy/
Klammer, S. (n.d.). 100 art therapy exercises. Expressive art inspirations. https://intuitivecreativity.typepad.com/expressiveartinspirations/100-art-therapy-exercises.html
Llenas, A. (2018). The color monster. Little Brown books for young readers.
Love, Play, Grow. (n.d.). 11 best creative art therapy activities for kids, teens, & adults. https://loveplaygrownj.com/art-therapy-activities/
Mehlomakulu, C. (2012, July 23). Art therapy collage (Part 2). Creativity in therapy. https://creativityintherapy.com/2012/07/art-therapy-collage-part-2/
Moran, H. (n.d.). About drawing the real self. Drawing the ideal self. https://www.drawingtheidealself.co.uk/index.php?p=1_16
Mikelson, B. (2018, April 13). More on EMDR therapy with children: Drawing protocol. EMDR & Beyond. https://emdrandbeyond.com/blog/2018/4/13/more-on-emdr-therapy-with-children-drawing-protocol
Pelissier, S. (n.d.) How to have fun and embrace imperfections in your drawing. Artists network. https://www.artistsnetwork.com/art-mediums/drawing/embrace-imperfections-drawings/
Therapist Aid. (2024). Where do I feel? https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-worksheet/where-do-i-feel
Todd, E. (2024). Transforming feelings into art: The benefits of drawing emotions. A peace of werk. https://apeaceofwerk.com/blog/transforming-feelings-into-art-the-benefits-of-drawing-your-emotions/
Weisensee, Q. (2023, October 6). Benefits of expressive arts for children. Arizona Family Counseling. https://arizonafamilycounseling.com/blog/expressive-art-therapy/
Weller, N.B. (n.d.). The tree of life: A simple exercise for reclaiming your identity and direction in life through story.
Winters, B., & Herron, A. (2021, September 15). Life value terms. Nurturing change: Equipping caregivers to heal kids. https://nurturing-change.org/blog/f/life-value-terms
Zolik, M. (2021, December 3). How to develop a safe place for your EMDR session? Here are some script examples. EMDR Healing. https://emdrhealing.com/safe-place-for-your-emdr-session-here-are-some-script-examples/
References
Batiste, N. (2018). Engaging children with therapeutic art resources: 5 powerful practice activities. Liana Lowenstein. http://www.lianalowenstein.com/
articleProfBatiste.pdf
Busy B Elementary Resources. (n.d.). Pieces of me. Teachers Pay Teachers. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/
Product/Pieces-of-Me-Ice-Breaker-Activity-First-Day-All-About-Me-10863115?
st=e9b18019ae31e6cb0358dfa
647c8f04a
Complex Trauma Resources. (n.d.) Co-regulation. https://www.complextrauma.org/
glossary/co-regulation/
Cousineau, S. (n.d.). Boat-storm-lighthouse drawing. Sinthia Cousineau. https://www.sinthiacousineau.com/group-art-therapy.html
Crouteau, J. (2024, May 16). 22 art therapy activities to help kids identify and manage their feelings. We are teachers. https://www.weareteachers.com/art-therapy-activities/
Cuc, A. (2022, Jan 25). Mindfulness through coloring. Mayo Clinic Connect. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/
living-with-mild-cognitive-impairment-mci/newsfeed-post/mindfulness-through-coloring/
Georgetown Behavioral Health Institute. (2016, August 2). Benefits of expressive art therapy for children. https://www.georgetownbehavioral.com/
blog/expressive-art-therapy-for-children
Gillette, C. (2022, January 27). 100 art therapy ideas and prompts. Alternative to Meds. https://www.alternativetomeds.com/
blog/art-therapy-ideas/
Gray, C. (2024). What is a social story. Carol Gray Social Stories. https://carolgraysocialstories.com/social-stories/what-is-it/
Helpful Healer. (2021, June 28). Family shield activity. https://helpfulhealer.wordpress.com/
2021/06/28/family-shield-activity/
Kentucky Counseling Center. (2021, July 19). Can kids benefit from art therapy? https://kentuckycounselingcenter.com/
can-kids-benefit-from-art-therapy/
Klammer, S. (n.d.). 100 art therapy exercises. Expressive art inspirations. https://intuitivecreativity.typepad.com/
expressiveartinspirations/100-art-therapy-exercises.html
Llenas, A. (2018). The color monster. Little Brown books for young readers.
Love, Play, Grow. (n.d.). 11 best creative art therapy activities for kids, teens, & adults. https://loveplaygrownj.com/
art-therapy-activities/
Mehlomakulu, C. (2012, July 23). Art therapy collage (Part 2). Creativity in therapy. https://creativityintherapy.com/2012/07/
art-therapy-collage-part-2/
Moran, H. (n.d.). About drawing the real self. Drawing the ideal self. https://www.drawingtheidealself.co.uk/
index.php?p=1_16
Mikelson, B. (2018, April 13). More on EMDR therapy with children: Drawing protocol. EMDR & Beyond. https://emdrandbeyond.com/blog/
2018/4/13/more-on-emdr-therapy-with-children-drawing-protocol
Pelissier, S. (n.d.) How to have fun and embrace imperfections in your drawing. Artists network. https://www.artistsnetwork.com/art-mediums/drawing/embrace-imperfections-drawings/
Therapist Aid. (2024). Where do I feel? https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-worksheet/where-do-i-feel
Todd, E. (2024). Transforming feelings into art: The benefits of drawing emotions. A peace of werk. https://apeaceofwerk.com/
blog/transforming-feelings-into-art-the-benefits-of-drawing-your-emotions/
Weisensee, Q. (2023, October 6). Benefits of expressive arts for children. Arizona Family Counseling. https://arizonafamilycounseling.com/
blog/expressive-art-therapy/
Weller, N.B. (n.d.). The tree of life: A simple exercise for reclaiming your identity and direction in life through story.
Winters, B., & Herron, A. (2021, September 15). Life value terms. Nurturing change: Equipping caregivers to heal kids. https://nurturing-change.org/blog/f/life-value-terms
Zolik, M. (2021, December 3). How to develop a safe place for your EMDR session? Here are some script examples. EMDR Healing. https://emdrhealing.com/safe-place-for-your-emdr-session-here-are-some-script-examples/
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