6th Edition

Animals -
You can never have enough animals, especially when working with young children or families. You want to make sure you have different categories of animals - jungle, farm, reptiles, domesticated, ocean, predatory, prey, and even creepy crawlies like bugs, snakes, slugs, etc. It's also important that you have enough of each type of animal that the client can make a family structure...these will often show up in moving worlds and can help you gain insight into the inner-workings of your client's world and the systems they are a part of.

Also helpful to ask the client or family to choose an animal to represent each member of the family system. You can gain a ton of information about member's roles, personalities, and dynamics with this type of directive or activity.

Transportation-

Transportation minis get used a ton with our littles, and even with adolescents and teens. You will want to have different types of transportation vehicles to choose from; construction vehicles, emergency vehicles, school buses, public transit, farm equipment (especially if you live in rural areas), and regular ol' trucks, cars, bikes, etc.

People -

Kind of like with animals, you can really never have enough people. You want to ensure that your people minis are diverse. Make sure you have miniatures that include different ages or stages through the lifespan, abilities/disabilities, cultures, ethnicities, careers, etc. People miniatures get used by clients across the lifespan, so it's important that no matter the client, they can find themselves or their families in your collection.

Also,if you're working with young children, you will want to have plenty of army men, knights, or ninjas and ensure that you have at least two different colors or "teams", as they will often play out conflict with these types of minis.

Nature-

Included in nature are greenery, trees (in varying degrees of life/health), bodies of water, stumps, flowers, and different types of weather or elements.

Knowing your population is really important. Here in the south, the tornado miniature gets used frequently to help address anxieties or trauma related to this type of event. If you live somewhere coastal or where there's perpetual winter, you may need different minis to accommodate your client's experiences based upon their geographical location. . .

Houses/Architecture -

Pretty self-explanatory. You need several different types of houses and architectural structures (don't forget about archways and gates!) that clients can choose from. Different style houses may get used by clients throughout the lifespan and from different SESs, so you want to make sure that the houses and structures are just as diverse as your other categories of minis.

Bridges, Paths, & Fences -

I know that we talk about these a TON, but I cannot stress enough how important these miniatures are. Clients will often use paths and bridges to represent a journey or progress. It's important to have different types of these available, as the state, or properties, of the miniature chosen can provide insight into where the client is at emotionally (see the pathway littered with bones and skulls? Wonder what that's telling us?).

Fantasy -

Fantasy miniatures get used SO often. Make sure you have plenty of minis that fall into this category - knights, dragons, monsters, wizards, fairies, and yes, even characters from popular movies or TV shows....for more on why we think that's awesome click !

Abstract -

Abstract miniatures get used mostly by our older clients, teens and adults. These minis can be literally anything, and are only limited by your creativity. I have seen clients develop metaphors and gain amazing insights without initially realizing it or setting out with that intention, just because their right brain connected with an abstract miniature once it was in the sand. Weird sculptures? Grab em. Random bird cages? Perfect. Disembodied limbs? Yes please. Seemingly useless statues, bird baths, baskets, woven wood thingy-ma-bobbers? GET THEM ALL... you won't regret having unique pieces for your clients to connect to.

Religion/Spirituality & Death -

Death miniatures get used a lot when dealing with depression or major conflict, as well as during phase of life issues or traumas, such as coming to terms with an illness or grieving the loss of a loved one. Some teens also really gravitate toward gory death miniatures, zombies, ghosts, etc. So don't be afraid of having an abundance of gross and macabre minis in your collection.

It's also vital to have religion and spirituality miniatures that are diverse and inclusive of as many belief systems and practices as humanly possible. You want your clients to feel seen, heard, and accepted by allowing the freedom to weave this aspect of their identity into the tray if desired, as the world is not always as open or as safe as the sacred sandtray space.