Association of PLAY Therapy-Kenya

08/02/2026

Day 7: 07th February, 2026 - Keep the Play Going

Keep the play alive! Play doesn’t have to end when the week is over; it can grow through the little, thoughtful choices we make every day. When children, teachers, and caregivers take a moment to reflect together, they can each choose one simple promise to keep play going, whether that’s a weekly, family game night, a fun play moment in the classroom, or a monthly community play hour. These small commitments help protect our connections, spark creativity, and boost well-being. Remember, when play is ongoing, children and communities keep growing and thriving.

“Haba na haba hujaza kibaba.”
Little by little fills the measure.
— Swahili proverb (East Africa)

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APTK Secretary’s Desk – Orpah Apola

MEMBERS CONTRIBUTIONS

Making play sustainable is as easy as playfully reusing everyday materials. My example is a tyre. What example would you like to give?
- BRENDA KIMEMIA

I recently learnt that blowing small balls of cotton wool across a table is an anxiety-alleviating game.
You sit across and the child on the other side....then the cotton balls on the table ...and you blow towards them, and they blow them across to you....I love it...it's fun - JANE NDILA

Hello dear Play Therapists,
Following on from Jane, blowing bubbles is a powerful way to calm the nervous system.
A bowl of water, washing-up liquid, and a couple of straws. Wonderful connection and joy. - HARRIET BENSON

Weaving the grass together is wonderful play. -MARION KEINAMMA

Using available materials and clay soil to make amatures using existing items like utensils and animals, DAY 7, both world and domestic. - VESPAS SANGULI

As we close International Play Therapy Week, we celebrate an amazing one-week journey of learning, healing, inclusion, and connection through the power of play. 💟
But today’s message is simple and powerful: the week may end, but play should not.

The core Idea in today's theme is to make a plan to continue using play

In case you are wondering how to do this, here is a simple way to go about your plan....hold a short reflection and make one small promise to keep play alive:

👧🏽 Children: Have a few favourite games they will keep playing
👩🏽‍🏫 Teachers: One play-based activity they will use in class each day
👨🏽‍👩🏽‍👧🏽 Caregivers: One family play routine (like a weekly family game night) Host or attend play dates for your children
🏘️ Community: One monthly community play hour or fun day

These small, simple commitments help turn play into a lasting culture, not just a one-week celebration.- MULUKI MUNG'ALA

06/02/2026

Day 6 – Community Play Day.
: EVERYCHILDEVERYABILITY #

Play is such a wonderful way to bring people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds closer together. When communities come together to enjoy play, it helps build feelings of connection, happiness, and belonging that everyone can share. Imagine hosting a community play day with fun stations for traditional games, dancing, and storytelling. It's a perfect recipe for laughs, celebrating cultural pride, and caring for each other. These special moments remind us that play isn’t just for kids; it’s a powerful way for communities to come together, heal, and grow stronger as one.

“Mchezo ni kazi ya mtoto.”
Play is the work of the child.
— Swahili proverb (East Africa)

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APTK Secretary’s Desk – Orpah Apola

MEMBERS CONTRIBUTIONS:

Play in community- creates safety,creates bonding, nurturing, and more. Humans were born to live in a community. Social beings create a way to build a safe launch and landing pad in the community. Play heals! -EKTA

As part of Play Therapy Week, the Jamii Bora community is having a community play day. -MERAB

When children keep their things in a safe space, and they don't find them. This will change their emotions, and they might be angry and even ask where my doll is. Who took it... And why. When you give them autonomy, they will say, "Please, when I leave my things, kindly respect them." -VESPUS

05/02/2026

Day 5 – Play to Heal & Express

Play gives children a safe way to process feelings, especially when words are hard to find. Through expressive art and movement, children can show emotions, release tension, and make sense of their experiences at their own pace. Using local materials like charcoal or clay for drawing, or inviting free movement to local music, allows children to express what they feel without pressure to explain or perform. When we honor expression through play, we create space for healing, dignity, and emotional safety.

“To be human is to have a story worth telling.”
— Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

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APTK Secretary’s Desk – Orpah Apola

MEMBERS CONTRIBUTIONS
- Day 5 presentation: play to heal and express - Muluki Mung'ala
- Presentations of play therapy, expressive art materials, and facilitation - Merab Akinyi

APTK WEBINAR: DAY 5
Guest Speaker: CLAUDIUS CHEPKEMOI - Occupational Therapist: Working with children with different abilities in play therapy
-It was an awesome, insightful webinar giving play therapists an understanding of how play therapy works on the other spectrum, making play universal to every child, regardless of their abilities.

05/02/2026

DAY 4: 04th February, 2026 - Different Abilities, One Play World

When play is adapted, every child feels like they truly belong. Multi-sensory play stations warmly invite children of all abilities and neurotypes to explore, regulate, and connect in ways that are comfortable and natural for them. Touch stations with sand, beans, or cool water support sensory exploration and provide a calming experience, making the experience soothing and enjoyable. Sound stations, like shakers made from seed pods or cans filled with stones, encourage rhythm, listening, and shared joy, creating happy moments for everyone. These flexible and inclusive experiences gently relieve pressure, honor different ways of playing, and remind every child that you are always welcome here and that your uniqueness is celebrated.
These shared experiences encourage participation without pressure and celebrate difference as a strength.

“We are different, but we share the same humanity.”
— Desmond Tutu

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APTK Secretary’s Desk – Orpah Apola

MEMBERS CONTRIBUTIONS:
- Examples of games to promote play for champions - Esther Karanja
- Play Therapy room in the community - Everlyn Gichunge
- Different Abilities, one play world - Muluki Mung'ala

03/02/2026

Play therapy is indeed therapeutic, just make use of clay as I do, play with it, feel the 5 senses
Meanwhile Aunty Muluki helps us to get more insoghts on Play Therapy....

03/02/2026

03/02/2026

CONTINUATION: PLAY THERAPY WEEK
DAY1
: EVERYCHILDEVERYABILITY #
Today’s theme-

Play starts at home….

Things I consider-
-What is play?
All children interpret it differently.
-Do parents know how to play?
-Free Play creates creative minds.
-Nature and play
-Does play have to be expensive, especially for some families? Alternative means of play - EKTA

Article 31 of UNCRC which Kenya ratified in 1990 grants children the right to play. Article 53 of the constituion cements that.- Dr. Florence Mueni

01/02/2026

Day 1: 01st February,2026 – Play is Our Right

Playing is a fundamental right for every child. It's a joyful, essential part of childhood that helps kids express themselves, understand their feelings, and connect with others. Regardless of neurotype, ability, or background, children find unique and meaningful ways to engage with the world around them. When play spaces are welcoming, adaptable, and accessible, children are empowered to explore their strengths, preferences, and authentic selves. For children facing trauma, disabilities, or other challenges, play becomes a safe, gentle path to healing and self-discovery. Upholding the right to play means ensuring inclusion, respect, and a sense of belonging for all children, so they can grow, heal, and flourish in a nurturing environment.

“The only way I know of helping children is to enter into their world and let them lead the way.” - Virginia Axline.

From the Secretary's Desk - Orpah Apola.

: EVERYCHILDEVERYABILITY #

01/02/2026

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026 AND NEW MONTH FEBRUARY!!!
I wish to welcome you all 🥰. This year brings many beautiful engagements, and I hope to see you there. We are also in the process of transitioning leadership. More information will be shared with registered members after the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
To start us off, we are celebrating :ONEPLAYWORLD: EVERYCHILDEVERYABILITY" #
01st -07th February, 2026
Let us also welcome Florence Ochanda Okeke as the incoming Chairperson of the Association of Play Therapy Kenya for 2026. Shared is the welcoming note for this year's Play Therapy Week.
Let's keep the ball rolling, and do not forget to visit this page for the goodies we have in store for you 🍒🍌🍓🍇

11/09/2025

13/08/2025

I'm so excited and I can't just help it....🎼🎶
It's TODAY.....

11/08/2025

It's finally here friends 😍, we only have tomorrow before the SYMPOSIUM kicks off on Wednesday 13th August, 2025.
We are still receiving applications of those who have not managed to secure a spot yet.
Hurry, Hurry, Hurry before you get locked out.
Remember! It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. And opportunities never repeats itself ☺️!

To those who registered, see you there soon!