Inspired by reading Counselor Keri’s “Five Ways To Use Coffee Filters In School Counseling,” I excitedly went through my resources and office supplies to create and share 5 ways counselors can use tissue boxes in counseling. The recycled tissue boxes below can be used both as craft projects and/or therapeutic tools in groups and individual sessions.
Self-Esteem Magazine Collage Box
Students can create a place to store affirmations, therapeutic letters, awards, and mementos that help influence one’s sense of pride. It also serves as a nice decoration piece for your desk. This activity will take several sessions to finish but is well worth the time prompting discussion on building self-worth.
SUPPLIES
1 empty tissue box
Magazine cut outs
Scissors
Mod podge glue
Optional: Paint brush
Shortcut – Magazine Word Cut Outs for Self-Esteem Collages: Starter Kit
The Tear Collector Box
An adorable addition to your office to help “collect” children’s tears. Simply glue eyeballs on top of a tissue box, and share the story of the tear collector’s purpose to magically take away the pain in exchange for one’s tears. For extra fun, create a second tear collector using an empty tissue box to store tear filled tissues.
SUPPLIES
1 full tissue box
Googly eyes
Glue
Imagination
Optional: Beads, 1 empty tissue box
The Game Box
Perfect place to store dice, tokens, game pieces, or task cards. Decorate the outside of the tissue box with spinners, dice dots, or ice breaker questions to use as a portable tool for therapeutic games.
SUPPLIES
1 empty tissue box
Glue
Spinners from Dollar Tree/Dollar Store or similar
Optional: Printed out dice dot images or questions for each side of the tissue box. (Empty inside for this play)
The Wish Box
This tissue box transforms to accept children’s dreams and wishes. This is a fun way for children to express emotions and improve their hope. Periodically collect wishes and revisit later in the year to see what wishes came true.
SUPPLIES
1 empty tissue box
Sticky notes or index cards
Pencils or crayons
Decorating crafts (i.e. beads, coins, stickers, wrapping paper, glitter)
Glue and scissors
The Mindfulness Box
Work with children to create a space to calm their minds. Turn the tissue box on its side and fill it with crafts that appeal to the senses. Glue a calming image on the inner side of the box, and place some rocks, puffy balls, or sand inside. Once decorated, use the box to practice being mindful.
SUPPLIES
1 empty tissue box
Rocks
Puffy balls
Calming picture
Decorating crafts
Optional: mini chimes
What nontraditional supplies are you using in your counseling program? Let us know what other supplies we should be saving!
Love this!
Great ideas!
These are great – I love, love, love the tear collector box. I definitely know some kiddos who would benefit. Thanks for these awesome ideas!
Its hard to decide which one I love the most!
I love these ideas so much! I’m going to do a mindfulness box need week!!
Thank you Cheryl, Lisa, Diane, Erika, and Stephanie for your compliments.
Stephanie, keep us posted how the mindfulness boxes turn out. I would enjoy seeing the pictures. 🙂
I love these ideas!!! The wish box is a great way for kids to express themselves in a safe way. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Melanie! 🙂
Love the game cube idea. Great post!
Thank you Lisa. 🙂
This is brilliant!!! Thank you so much. My students love this and these have been so therapeutic. My daughters who are 10 and 16 years old love these too.
Thank you Johanna! You made me blush. I am happy to read your daughters were able to benefit from the ideas as well. 🙂
So easy & practical! The traveling game box one is genius.
Best wishes,
Heather
Such a huge compliment coming from The Helpful Counselor. Thank you!!! :):)
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