Games Play Therapists Play: Catch

Strengthen Attachment, Build Skills, and Spark Joy—One Toss at a Time

If you peeked into my play therapy office early in a family session, there’s a good chance you’d see a game of catch underway.

This might be the most played game in my practice. I open most family sessions—and some individual sessions—with a simple game of catch.

Early in my work with a new child or family, I use it as a diagnostic. It can tell me a lot very quickly about a child’s gross motor skills and eye hand coordination. How easily the child and family fall into the rhythm of the game can also tell a lot about focus, control, and family dynamics.

Often, I use catch as a way to increase attunement and heal attachment wounds. A successful game of catch requires coordinated movement, eye contact, and shared focus—all crucial elements for healthy attachment and relational connection. Watching two people play catch is similar to watching an infant and caregiver interact. One acts, the other responds, and then back and forth. They maintain eye contact and focus on one another while their limbs move in coordination with one another. Sometimes, catch is used as a skill builder. Playing catch can help with focus, attainment and motor planning.

Regardless of my primary reason for starting a game of catch, it almost always leads to feelings of competence and shared joy. Catch is simple, powerful, and endlessly adaptable—making it one of the unsung heroes of the play therapy room.

Beanie Babies vs. Balls

When it comes to materials, I almost always use Beanie Babies instead of traditional balls.
 Here’s why:

• They are uniform in size and weight, so using multiple beanies in the same game works.
• They vary in form. Inviting a child to chose one after offers insight into their preferences and mood.
• They can form a bridge into more imaginative play.
• Most importantly, they stay where they land (no chasing after rolling balls!).

Choosing a playful, non-intimidating object like a Beanie Baby also keeps the mood light and encourages spontaneous storytelling and creativity during the game.

When Catch Becomes Competition

Sometimes, children approach even a simple game of catch with a competitive mindset.
They might intentionally throw the Beanie Baby out of reach and declare, “You missed! I get a point!”

Rather than correcting them directly, I introduce structured variations that reframe the game as collaborative instead of competitive. Here are two favorites:

Team Juggling: Building Connection Through Rhythm

• Start with two players—this could be parent and child, or therapist and child—standing a comfortable distance apart.
• Toss one Beanie Baby gently back and forth, focusing on an arcing throw rather than a straight line.
• Once they’re comfortable, add a second Beanie Baby. Each participant holds one.
• Instruct one to one to start and one to follow throwing when they see the first Beanie Baby reach the top of its arc.
• After they master throwing two a few times, introduce a third Beanie Baby.
• One player starts with two Beanies, initiating the rhythm, and the second player throws when the previous Beanie reaches its peak. Then the first player tosses the other beanie baby they were holding and catches one tossed from player two
• When the team catches on and are able to compete 3 or 4 tosses in a row- Whoo Hoo! Success feels great!

Pass Right, Pass Left: Group Fun and Flexible Thinking

How to Play:

• Begin in a circle with a family or group of 3-5 players with one Beanie Baby thrown around the ring.
• Once that feels easy, add a second, then a third Beanie Baby. Larger groups can even try adding a 4th
• When this is going smoothly, call out “Right!” or “Left!” to switch directions mid-play.
• You can also yell “Chaos!”—allowing everyone to pass to anyone they choose.
• Call out a specific player’s name to have all Beanie Babies thrown toward that person at once!
• If play gets sloppy with frequent misses set a challenge “can we toss 10 times without dropping?” This usually increases focus and leads to success.

Most children show a great deal of excitement and pride when these games go well.

Have Fun and Keep Playing

I hope you find these ideas as rewarding and joyful to use as I do.

I’d love to hear how you incorporate catch into your own sessions or any creative variations you’ve invented.


Feel free to reach out and share your experiences.

Happy playing!