Games & Things to Do in Children's Grief Groups

When a child's loved one dies, caregivers must tell the truth, but not with unnecessary details. According to Recover from Grief.com, children need to feel safe to express grief and say good bye in a unique and personal way as they work through their emotions. Allowing children to use group games and activities to express their grief is one way children can remember they are not alone.

Honesty

• Before beginning any group activity, make the purpose of each activity clear. Some activities focus on letting out anger. The children may have been angry at the loved one before the loved one died and may even be feeling guilty, thinking he or she caused the death.

Verbalizing and Acting on Emotions Safely

• The Center for the Grieving Child lists several group activities. The first is a scream box, which requires a cereal box, paper towel tube, tape, paper and scissors. After the box is stuffed with crumbled paper (which may include sayings of frustration and anger), cut a hole in the top for the paper towel tube, and tape the tube to the hole. Once the box is decorated by the child, it can be used to scream into. A closely related mad box can also be made to destroy with a plastic bat or a child's jumping feet.

Ripping Apart Guilt

• The Center for the Grieving Child also uses a unique way to express innocence when guilt overwhelms children. Each child is given a phone book that he or she rips apart while saying, "It's not my fault!" Once the book is torn apart, children can throw the pieces away.

Encouraging Participation

• Listening to children express what they remember and would like to do is crucial in the grieving process. Allow them to draw pictures, or write letters or poetry to the deceased. One simple format for pre-teens and older children is using an adjective that begins with a letter of the name of the deceased. For example, Dad would be "Daring," "Athletic," and "Diplomatic."

A Game that Encourages Communication

• A special board game titled "Doggone Grief" encourages children to work together by using emotion spaces with corresponding cards. The cards have a scenerio relating to each dog and questions to answer about the players or their deceased loved ones. The game is available through the Aultman Health Foundation and the online Aultman Marketplace.

Soothing the Grieving Hearts and Souls

• Depending on the nature of the of the group, there are spiritual ways to deal with a child's grief within or outside the group. Children may remember spiritual songs that were their loved one's favorites, read comforting scripture, and/or or pray. In these times of loss, families and group leaders need to honor the child's need to love, heal, and grow at their own pace and style.