Mandala

This is a lovely game that the whole family can play. We think this game would be a great one after a rupture in the family, as it creates a sense of being together.

This game promotes togetherness, playfulness and fun. It also allows for negotiation, turn taking, flexibility of thinking. The repetitive nature of the mandala is regulating, soothing and mindful.

All play is an opportunity for parent-child quality time, building healthy parent-child relationships and practicing positive parenting tips and effective parenting strategies.

Resources

Blank mandala – they can be found for free online and printed out, google blank mandala or they can be bought in books. A doyley can also be used.

Colours – crayons/ markers/ colouring pencils

Dice

Assign the numbers on the dice to each person participating in the game.

Roll the dice

Whoever is picked, colours whatever part of the mandala they choose in any colour they choose, for a previously agreed time (15 sec – 1 minute)

Roll again and repeat until the picture is complete

The mandala can be hung up or framed somewhere in the house as a reminder of time spent together.

The clean up can be fun too so sharing the jobs and chatting about perhaps artists,  can add a new element to the experience, for example “I wonder if designers work this way?” “What else could be designed this way?” 

Keeping it playful and nurturing is key…play is about fun, no judgment, expectations or shoulds.