3 Types of Expressive Art Therapy for Kids

by Kasidi Parkinson, ACMHC

Expressive art therapy combines psychology and creativity to promote emotional growth and healing. Expressive art therapy in child therapy allows children to express things in a way without needing to talk. It allows children to also process situations they have been in, as well as the emotions that they have experienced that are difficult for them to express and process in other ways. Using expressive art can also allow children to have opportunities to cope. Types of expressive arts that can be used are painting, music, origami, drawing, stories, and a lot more.

Types of expressive art therapy interventions that I use with clients:

1. Making a Mandala: children draw out a Mandala drawing and then color it. After it is drawn and colored, children will then write a story that includes feelings and thoughts that led the child to draw what they drew. Afterwards, we talk through and process the story and drawing together.

2. Origami animal: Children will make an animal based on an emotion they are struggling with. Afterwards, children will process why that animal was chosen and how it can reflect back onto the emotion.

3. Coping boxes: Children will make a type of box that can be from a tissue box, shoe box, or even making an origami box. Children will design the box however they want that expresses who they are. Afterwards, children can put different coping skills and emotions into the box. An example is making an origami two tier box of an animal. A “mouth” will be cut out on both boxes. The child will “feed” one mouth with emotions and then “feed” the other mouth with coping techniques that the child can pull out when needed.

Try one of these at home and see how your children can express their emotions through art!