Therapeutic Playdough Balloons

These Therapeutic Playdough Balloons are balloons filled with playdough with faces drawn onto them. This is an activity for Autistic children or children who have challenges when it comes to handling emotions because they don't understand. They are stress ball balloons, great for discussing emotions as well as giving those little finger muscles a good work out. This activity is good therapeutic recreation and fine and gross motor play.

Step 1: Fill five balloons with playdough.

Step 2: Draw a happy face on one balloon with a Sharpie marker. Draw a sad face on another, a worried face on another, a surprised face on another, and an angry face on another.

Step 3: Play. Squeeze the balloons and watch the faces exaggerate. Ask the child questions, "Which balloon is sad?" "Which balloon do you feel like? Why?" "What do you think he's/she's sad about?"