Play Therapy: Doll House Final Exam from Play Therapy Student

by Tanya Tucker
(Play Therapy Student for Play Therapy Class)

When I first began to the task of creating my play therapy dollhouse I was overwhelmed. I really didn’t know where to even begin. I did not know what materials to use to how to design the house. I did even think about everything that had to go in it. I decided to go with the foam poster board since I am not very handy with sawing or nailing wood.
First I cut out the exterior shape of the play therapy doll house. I used a tri-fold board so that the sides would already be attached. I then added the floor and levels with the extra poster board that was removed. I used hot glue to ensure that everything was firmly attached. Just by completing the frame of the house I felt a sense of relief. It actually looked like a house. I was thinking this is not so bad and that I was half way there. Then came the daunting realization that I then had to decorate it. First I added the roof. I used black construction paper and glue to create the shingled rooftop.
Next I began to create the furniture. I used more of the excess poster board to create the sofa, beds, kitchen table and chair as well as the stove. I then covered each of these things with printed paper or construction paper. Most helpful was the internet. I was able to find free printable wallpapers, floorings, wall art, quilts and rugs. I also printed some items to add definition to the rooms such as the pizza box. The bathroom was the hardest to create because of the limited resources for printables that are available. I ended up printing the bathtub, toilet and sink and gluing it to cardstock paper of support.
Overall I really enjoyed creating this play therapy dollhouse. It took a lot of time and I am glad that I started working on it early. I liked being able to create my own world in relation to the home that I grew up in. I think that this play therapy dollhouse will be with me for many years to come.