International Play Therapy Week

February 2 - 8, 2025

The Association for Play Therapy proudly invites play therapy professionals from around the globe to unite in celebrating International Play Therapy Week, taking place February 2-8, 2025! This week is dedicated to raising awareness of the healing and transformative power of play, spotlighting the important work of play therapy, and honoring the commitment and expertise of our play therapists and credentialed registrants who make an invaluable difference.

Throughout this special week, we encourage everyone - whether you are a play therapy professional, student, or advocate - to engage actively. Share your experiences, educate others, and spread the word about the profound impact of play therapy.

By participating, you'll contribute to a more connected and supportive play therapy community and help elevate public understanding of this essential field. Let's come together to celebrate, inspire, and foster growth in the world of play therapy!

APT wants to hear your story!

What is your favorite play therapy memory? When were you first exposed to play therapy? What has driven you to pursue play therapy in your career? Whether an established play therapist or new to the field, sharing your unique experiences enriches the Association and its' Membership! Submit a short video (1-2 minutes) and share your personal play therapy journey and it may be featured during International Play Therapy Week.

Ways to celebrate International Play Therapy Week

On social media:

• Share these YouTube videos: “Play Therapy Works”, “ Introducing Andrew”, or "Meet Andres" (Spanish) with family, friends, and colleagues via Facebook, Twitter, and other social media including your local media.

• Share your photo on social media using the signs:"I Use Play Therapy Because...",  "I Am a Registered Play Therapist Because...", "I Am a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor Because...", or "I Am a School Based-Registered Play Therapist Because..."

In your community:

• Order the Foundation for Play Therapy's Why Play Therapy? Pediatrician brochure and distribute them to medical professionals in your community!
• Order FREE Why Play Therapy? School Counselor brochures and distribute them to school professionals and administrators. 
• Order and distribute FREE "Why Play Therapy" brochures (English, Spanish, or French).  
• Offer to present a workshop on play therapy at your place of employment.
• Contribute to the Foundation for Play Therapy by making a tax-exempt charitable contribution to help increase public awareness and promote play therapy research.
• Share APT's Parents Corner with your clients. This page serves as a great resource for introducing play therapy and child mental health to parents and caregivers.

In the news:

• Send out a press release to your local paper announcing International Play Therapy Week!

• Arrange for a local newspaper interview to highlight the benefits of play therapy.

• Organize a play therapy table outside of your local library or grocery store - set up a portable basketball hoop, blow bubbles, or make paper-bag puppets to promote the therapeutic powers of play for young and old alike!

• Invite a news station to your event celebrating International Play Therapy Week in your community. 

Social Media Graphics

• Facebook cover photo
  
• Facebook profile photo
  

Coloring Pages

• Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud
• Keep going, keep growing
• Play & grow
  

Word of the Week Scavenger Hunt

Get ready for some fun! Join us on Facebook for the Word of the Week: Scavenger Hunt!

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Each day, we’ll drop a clue on Facebook.
Step 2: Use the clue to find a hidden letter on the APT website.
Step 3: Document your letter each day using a special form we’ll provide to help you keep track of everything!

By the end of the week (February 8), you’ll have all the letters you need to unscramble the Word of the Week. Once you’ve cracked the code, submit your completed form through the link we’ll post on February 8.

• Word of the Week Answer Form

Highlight Your Involvement

APT wants to see how you're celebrating! Submit your Play Therapy Week celebrations for inclusion in the daily Play Therapy Week newsletter.

Use #playtherapyweek2025 on your social media posts for a chance to be featured in APT's Play Therapy Week newsletter or social media platforms.