Art therapy at home: creative activities for expressing emotions as a family
05 November, 2024
Because it isn't always easy for every member of a family to express their emotions, why not try art therapy? It offers an accessible and playful way to help young and old communicate their feelings, reduce stress and strengthen family bonds. Here's how to bring art therapy into your home, with activity suggestions suited to all ages.
What is art therapy?
Art therapy is a form of expression that uses the creative process to improve physical, mental and emotional well-being. It requires no particular artistic talent – what matters is the process, not the end result.
Why practise art therapy as a family?
- Encourages non-verbal communication
- Reduces stress and anxiety
- Strengthens self-esteem
- Encourages the expression of difficult emotions
- Creates moments of sharing and connection
Art therapy activity suggestions to try as a family
The emotion mandala
Materials: Paper and coloured pencils
Instructions: Each family member draws a large circle on their sheet and divides it into sections representing different emotions. Then use colours and patterns to fill in each section according to the intensity of the emotion felt.
The abstract self-portrait
Materials: Paper, paint, paintbrushes
Instructions: Without trying to make a realistic portrait, everyone represents themselves through colours, shapes and textures that reflect their personality and mood of the moment.
The feelings sculpture
Materials: Play dough or clay
Instructions: Choose an emotion and sculpt it. Let your imagination run wild – there's no right or wrong way to represent a feeling!
The dreams and aspirations collage
Materials: Magazines, scissors, glue, a large sheet of paper
Instructions: Create a family collage representing your collective dreams and aspirations. Then talk about your choice of images and what they represent for you.
The shared creative journal
Materials: Large notebook, pencils, markers, glue, small found objects
Instructions: Create a family journal where everyone can add drawings, collages, words or small objects representing important moments or emotions.
Finally, always make sure to follow these two important tips for a successful family art therapy session: ideally, set aside a specific space in your home for these creative activities, and establish ground rules that must be respected at all times, namely no judgment and respect for everyone!
Put these tips into practice
Get the whole family organized with Octave
Meals, chores, the calendar and routines for the whole family in one place: on everyone's phone and on the Station on your wall.
The app is free on iOS and Android.