The one thing you should always have in your toolbox as a Play Based Coach

When I first started my Kids Life Coaching practice in 2003, I understood the value of play in supporting children to overcome their challenges, build confidence or reinforce their resilience. Yet, I found myself constantly having to plan, create and invent new ideas. Coming from a teaching and counselling background, my mind was already primed for this BUT I didn't understand the theoretical underpinnings of a robust coaching programme.

Given that there was nobody to follow or to teach me, I quickly learnt to forfeit complexity and to keep things simpler. Like the time I encouraged a little boy to made a simple paper aeroplane in a coaching session.  He was having a particularly bad day and he wrote his worries on the paper before he folded it.I was also having an upside down day, so I folded my own plane. We then had races to see whose plane would go the furtherest. Lots of laughs and lots of fun! We ended this spontaneous worry activity by 'flying our worries into a bin'. Not only was this symbolic but it also showed the little boy that it is okay to have worries and we were both able to process them together. A problem shared is a problem halved!

This led me to always having a piece of paper available as backup in my coaching sessions. It is the perfect "feelings filter" and it is simple, mobile and easy to use. All you need is a bit of imagination along with a few minutes and feelings are filtered in a healthy, non invasive way that leaves children feeling uplifted and empowered. 

So here goes! My top 7 "Feelings Filter" activities using only a piece of paper and some coloured pens/pencils: 

Feelings Filter Idea #1: “Body Map”

Skill: Emotional awareness & vocabulary
How it works: 

•  Ask the child to draw a big outline of a person (or themselves).
•  In different body areas, write or draw where they feel emotions (e.g., butterflies in stomach, tight chest, hot face).
•  Add colors for different feelings.

Why it works:
Children learn to recognize early signs of stress in their body which is a key step in emotional regulation.

Feelings Filter Idea #2: “Worry Airplane”

Skill: Letting go of worries
How it works: 

•  Have the child write or draw a worry on the paper.
•  Fold it into a paper airplane.
•  Launch it across the room or into a “worry bin”.

Fun twist:
Create “missions” like: “Fly your worry out of your brain!” 

Why it works:
Physical action helps children externalize and release thoughts.

Feelings Filter Idea #3: “Flip-the-Thought Mask”

Skill: Reframing negative thinking
How it works: 

•  Fold paper in half.
•  On one side: draw a “negative thought face” (e.g., “I can’t do this”).
•  On the other side: flip it into a “helpful thought face” (e.g., “I can try my best”).

Make it interactive:
Hold it up and “flip” between the two voices.

Why it works:
Teaches cognitive reframing in a playful, visual way.

Feelings Filter Idea #4: “Calm-Down Spinner”

Skill: Self-regulation strategies
How it works: 

•  Draw a circle and divide into sections (like a pizza). You can use our branded template provided as part of your Kids Life Coach Certification.)
•  In each section, write a calming activity: deep breaths, stretch, count to 10, imagine a safe place, etc.
•  Use a pencil or finger to spin and land on a strategy.

Why it works:
Gives children a menu of coping tools and a sense of choice. 

Feelings Filter Idea #5: “Thought Bubbles Comic”

Skill: Perspective-taking & problem-solving
How it works: 

•  Fold paper into 4 squares.
•  Draw a simple comic about a stressful situation.
•  Add thought bubbles for each character.

Extension:
Ask: “What could this character think instead?” 

Why it works:
Builds empathy and flexible thinking.

Feelings Filter Idea #6:  “My Superpower Shield”

Skill: Confidence & resilience
How it works: 

•  Draw a shield divided into sections.
•  Fill with: things they’re good at, people who help them, times they were brave, things that calm them.

Fun twist:
Decorate it like a superhero emblem.

Why it works:
Helps kids anchor to strengths during stress.

Feelings Filter Idea #7:  “Storm vs. Sunshine Page”

Skill: Emotional expression & balance
How it works: 

•  Split the page in half.
•  One side = “storm” (draw worries, anger, sadness).
•  Other side = “sunshine” (things that help, happy thoughts, support people).

Why it works:
Shows that difficult feelings and positive supports can coexist.

When using any of these 7 "Feelings Filter" Activities in your coaching sessions, the aim is to:

•  Add movement (throwing, spinning, flipping)
•  Use storytelling or characters 
•  Let the child lead or customize (colours, drawings, rules)
• Be engaging and animated. Play, play, play!

Don't be afraid to use low cost, easy to use items in your Play Based Coaching sessions! Get comfortable with being creative and learn to simplify rather than diversify. In our group mentorship session yesterday, I shared these 7 activities and our certified Kids Life Coaches shared their ideas. We were on fire! So much inspiration, from using our hands to dancing and movement, to building brain house origami's we all learnt wonderful new ways of facilitating growth through the simplest of activities!

What is the one thing you always have in your coaching toolbox? Mine...paper and pencils! I think these are the two non negotiables you should always have in your toolbox as a Play Based Coach! They work every time!