Gallery: Symbols & Metaphors

Children often use play to express experiences and emotions symbolically — these images show how everyday objects can hold deeper meaning. From mythical creatures to imaginative scenes, symbolic play helps children process feelings safely.

  • A collection of colourful rainbow-coloured figurines — adults, children, pets — arranged in front of a wooden rainbow with colourful scarves in the background

    Rainbow Family Figures

    These colourful figures are often used in Play Therapy to represent families, relationships, and emotions. Children may use them symbolically to express inner worlds and dynamics they can't yet articulate in words.

    • identity
    • families
    • metaphor
    • colour

    Symbols & Metaphors

  • A dinosaur and shark face a Joker figure sitting behind a red scarf with flames, surrounded by bright coloured scarves representing sea and land

    Dinosaur, Shark & Joker Scene

    This scene blends symbolic elements of danger and confrontation. Children may use these figures — a dinosaur, a shark, and a villain — to act out intense feelings, challenges, or experiences that are difficult to name directly.

    • conflict
    • danger
    • imaginative play

    Symbols & Metaphors

    Instagram

  • A plush purple octopus with a sad face and a toy bandage on its head, surrounded by toy medical instruments like scissors, thermometer, and syringe, on a yellow playmat

    Sad Octopus

    This sad octopus represents emotional expression during medical play — a common theme in Play Therapy where children explore experiences of injury, care, and recovery through role play and empathy.

    • medical play
    • emotions
    • empathy
    • expressive play

    Symbols & Metaphors

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