The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical concerns, diagnoses, or treatment options for you or your child.

When a child faces medical treatment, it’s not just their body that requires care—their emotions, their sense of safety, and even their ability to play can also feel disrupted.

For parents and caregivers, seeing a child navigate the unfamiliar world of medical procedures can be overwhelming. How do you help them cope with fear, build resilience, and keep their sense of wonder intact when so much feels out of their control?

At The Butterfly Pig, we believe that every challenge is an opportunity for growth and connection. Play therapy offers a way to bridge the gap between medical care and emotional well-being, empowering children to process their feelings, understand their experiences, and regain a sense of control. With the right tools, like inclusive medical toys, you can help turn intimidating medical moments into opportunities for confidence and strength.

Let’s explore how play therapy works, why it’s effective, and how it can transform your child’s journey through medical treatment.

Why Play Therapy Matters for Kids in Treatment

For children, play is so much more than fun—it’s their language, their way of learning, and their way of making sense of the world. When a child faces medical treatment, stress and fear can disrupt their natural coping mechanisms. Play therapy helps restore that balance by giving them a safe space to express emotions, process experiences, and reclaim a sense of normalcy.

Research shows that play therapy can:

• Reduce anxiety before and during medical procedures.
• Build coping skills that help children manage their emotions.
• Improve cooperation with treatment, making care smoother for both families and medical staff.

Play therapy isn’t just a distraction—it’s an empowering way for children to explore and make sense of what’s happening to them.

It’s their superpower during a time when so much feels out of their hands.

Incorporating Play Therapy: What Caregivers Can Do

Here are practical ways to bring play therapy into your child’s treatment journey:

Use Medical Toys to Demystify Treatment

Children often fear medical procedures because they don’t understand what’s happening. They imagine scary possibilities, but realistic medical toys can help break down that fear.

At The Butterfly Pig, we’ve designed toys that mimic real medical equipment, allowing kids to “practice” being the doctor, nurse, or patient in a playful, hands-on way. For example:

• A child might use a toy IV kit to give their stuffed animals “treatment.”
• A doll with a feeding tube or a g-tube can help normalize their own experience.

We’ve heard about the benefits of this representation from many parents who have bought our toys for example one parent shared this, “My daughter loved seeing her doll with a g-tube just like hers. It made her feel proud and understood”. By using toys to role-play procedures, children gain familiarity and confidence, making the real thing feel less intimidating.

Make Space for Creative Expression

Play therapy often incorporates art, music, and storytelling to help children express emotions they can’t put into words. A child might:

• Draw a picture of how they’re feeling before a procedure.
• Write a story about a brave character who faces and overcomes challenges.

These activities provide both an emotional outlet and a way for caregivers to better understand what’s going on in their child’s mind. For example, a child’s drawing of their hospital experience might reveal specific fears, like machines or needles, that you can address together.

Create Predictable Routines Through Play

Routines provide comfort during uncertain times, and incorporating playful rituals into medical care can make the experience less daunting.

Before a hospital visit, engage your child in a role-playing game where they pretend to be the doctor. With toys like a toy IV or syringe prop, they can “practice” what will happen at the appointment. This repetition builds familiarity and helps reduce anxiety.

You might say, “Let’s get ready for our hospital hero mission!” By turning preparation into an adventure, you can reframe medical care as something positive and empowering.

Involve Siblings or Peers

Children often feel isolated during medical treatment, especially if they’re missing school or social activities. Including siblings or friends in play therapy can help them feel connected and supported.

For example, a sibling could play the role of the nurse while your child pretends to be the doctor. They might work together to “run” a toy hospital, treating dolls and stuffed animals as patients. This shared play normalizes the experience and reminds your child they’re not alone.

Use Play to Practice Coping Skills

Therapeutic play can also teach valuable coping techniques, like deep breathing or mindfulness, in a fun and engaging way. Examples include:

• Using bubble-blowing games to practice deep breathing before a procedure.
• Playing “I Spy” in the waiting room to shift focus away from anxiety.

These playful strategies help children build resilience and stay calm, even in challenging situations.

The Science of Play Therapy

The effectiveness of play therapy is supported by research. Studies show that children who engage in therapeutic play before medical procedures report lower levels of anxiety and pain. One study even found that these children required less sedation for certain treatments.

The benefits extend beyond the child. Parents often feel less stressed when they see their child engaging positively with treatment. Play therapy strengthens the parent-child bond by creating moments of connection and mutual understanding during difficult times.

How Inclusive Tools Make a Difference

Representation matters—especially for children with unique medical needs. Our toys at The Butterfly Pig are designed with inclusivity in mind, ensuring every child can see themselves reflected in their play.

For example:

• A child with a tracheostomy can feel empowered by a doll with the same feature.
• A toy nebulizer allows kids with respiratory conditions to normalize their treatment.

By offering tools that mirror their own medical experiences, we help children feel seen, understood, and proud of their journey. As one parent put it, “These toys remind my child that they’re more than just their condition—they’re brave, strong, and extraordinary”.

Building a Support System Through Play

Play therapy works best when it’s part of a larger support system. Caregivers, medical professionals, and even teachers can collaborate to create a cohesive approach. Many hospitals have child life specialists who are experts in therapeutic play and can provide guidance on incorporating these strategies into your child’s care.

At home, set aside regular time for play. It doesn’t need to be complicated—15 minutes of imaginative role-play or an art project can make a big difference.

Let Play Be Their Superpower

Every child deserves to feel brave, even when they’re scared. Play therapy isn’t just about distraction; it’s about giving kids the tools to face their fears, process their emotions, and rediscover their sense of wonder. With the right strategies—and the right toys—you can help your child navigate their treatment journey with confidence and resilience.

At The Butterfly Pig, we’re here to support families like yours with inclusive, research-backed medical toys designed to spark curiosity and build understanding. Together, we can turn healthcare into a source of empowerment, one playful moment at a time.

Discover the Magic: Explore our collection of medical toys in our store and see how play can transform your child’s experience. Let’s make medical care less scary and a whole lot more magical.