15 group therapy activities for teens and kids

Engaging in group therapy activities can support emotional expression, connection, and growth for younger populations. While the activities we’ve rounded up here are a great place to start, there are many helpful therapy activities for teens to use in your practice. Below, find activity ideas for teens and kids organized by activity to meet specific therapeutic goals (while getting creative).

Icebreakers and trust-building activities

A great way to begin a session is with activities that help kids and teens feel comfortable, connected, and engaged.

• Partner drawing: Pairs draw a shared image without speaking. This helps build nonverbal communication and connection. (Ages 8+)
• Two truths and a wish: Each person shares two true facts and one wish. This promotes openness between participants and helps therapists learn about group members. (Ages 10+)
• Human bingo: Gamify the connection process using cards to prompt participants to find peers with similar interests or experiences. This fosters belonging and discovery. (Ages 8–14+)

Emotional awareness activities

These activities help younger clients experience, name, explore, and express their feelings.

• Emotion wheels: Kids and teens can spin or point to feelings, then share a related memory. This builds insight into emotional triggers in an unpressured way. (Ages 6–12+)
• Music mood check-in: Play short clips and discuss what feelings come up. This activity works especially well for teens who respond better to creative outlets. (Ages 12+)
• Feelings charades: Once group rapport is established, give the group an opportunity to act out their emotions for peers to guess. Gamifying this process encourages empathy and emotional literacy. (Ages 6–12+)

Coping and mindfulness activities

Guide kids and teens in grounding and self-regulation with these activities.

• Guided imagery: Introduce the idea of a safe space, then lead a short visualization to help them feel calm. This supports nervous system regulation. (Ages 6+)
• Five senses grounding: Kids and teens identify things they can see, hear, feel, smell, and taste. This teaches them how to manage anxiety. (Ages 10+)
• Mindful coloring: Encourage slow, intentional coloring to notice breath and body sensations in a creative way. Offer coloring books, themed pages, or blank paper. (Ages 6–14)

Communication activities

These strengthen social skills and help group members practice expressing themselves.

• Role-playing: Practice setting boundaries or expressing needs and emotions in imagined scenarios. This builds confidence and communication skills. (Ages 10+)
• Pass the feeling: Use a ball (or any passable object) to encourage emotional vulnerability. As the ball is passed, the catcher shares a time they felt the chosen emotion. (Ages 8+)
• Shared storytelling: Each member adds a sentence to create a group story. This enhances listening, creativity, and connection. (Ages 8+)

Trauma-informed activities

These activities provide safety, agency, and gentle processing for kids and teens who have experienced trauma.

• Safe storytelling: Encourage kids and teens to share about a fictional character facing challenges similar to their own. This activity helps externalize painful topics. (Ages 10+)
• Resource mapping: Kids and teens draw or list safe people, places, and coping skills to identify their support systems.
• Container visualization: Guide them to imagine placing overwhelming feelings in a safe “container” they can revisit later. (Ages 10+)