Playing Together: Connecting with Your Child through Minecraft

Playing Together: Connecting with Your Child through Minecraft

Learn how to use Minecraft to connect, communicate and play with your child – no experience required.

By PlayMode Academy

Date and time

Location

Online

Speakers

About this event

  • Event lasts 1 hour

Does your child love Minecraft, but you’re not quite sure how to join in?

Join Ellie Finch, founder of PlayMode Academy, counsellor, clinical supervisor and experienced practitioner using Minecraft in her work with children and families, and Rachel Conlisk, inclusive digital and in-person youth work specialist and founder of Creative Active Lives CIC & DigiTribe, for a free, one-hour webinar designed especially for parents and carers who want to use Minecraft as a way to connect with their children through play.

You’ll learn:

  • Easy and meaningful ways to play together
  • How Minecraft can support connection, communication and emotional expression
  • Why Minecraft can be especially appealing and accessible for neurodivergent children
  • Tips for navigating digital play with confidence and curiosity
  • Ideas for keeping your child safe in the game
  • The pros and cons of different Minecraft editions – Education, Bedrock and Java – for playing together at home

This is a relaxed and practical session – not a space for therapy or discussion about therapy – but grounded in an understanding of children's emotional worlds and how digital play can support connection. You don’t need to be confident with tech, just open to discovering something alongside your child.

Perfect for parents and carers of children aged 5 and up, whether your child is just getting started with Minecraft or already enjoys building and exploring.

The webinar will be recorded, and everyone who signs up will receive access to the recording for a limited time after the event – so you can catch up or rewatch at your own pace.

Disclaimer

This webinar is for general information and guidance only. It is not a therapy session and does not offer personalised mental health advice. If you have concerns about your child’s wellbeing, please seek support from a qualified professional.

This webinar is designed as an informational session for parents and carers. It is not a professional training, therapeutic intervention, or a space for discussing client work. If you're a professional attending out of interest, you're very welcome – but please note that the session will not cover clinical applications or practitioner guidance. For professional development opportunities, including training in therapeutic uses of Minecraft, please visit playmodeacademy.org.

Frequently asked questions

Who is this webinar for?

This session is designed for parents and carers of children aged 5 and up who are interested in using Minecraft as a way to connect and play together at home. You don’t need any experience with the game or with technology – just curiosity and an open mind.

Do I need to have Minecraft already installed?

No. You don’t need to have Minecraft set up to attend the session. We'll explore the different editions of Minecraft (Education, Bedrock and Java) and help you think through which version might suit your family best.

Will the webinar be recorded?

Yes. The webinar will be recorded, and everyone who registers will receive access to the recording for a limited time after the event.

Is this a therapy session?

No, this isn’t a therapy session and we won’t be offering advice on individual situations. It’s a relaxed and practical space to explore how Minecraft can support playful connection at home, drawing on Ellie’s experience as a counsellor and practitioner.

Will it be suitable for parents of neurodivergent children?

Yes. The session includes ideas that are especially relevant for families with neurodivergent children, including how Minecraft can offer an accessible and affirming way to play, communicate and connect.

What if I’m not confident with tech or games?

That’s absolutely fine – this webinar is designed with beginners in mind. You won’t need to play during the session, and we’ll keep things clear and jargon-free.

Can my child join me for the webinar?

This session is designed with parents and carers in mind, and we’ll be focusing on adult reflections and practical ideas. If you’re able to join without your child present, that can help create some focused space for yourself – but we completely understand that’s not always possible.

What will I need to take part?

You will need access to the internet. We'll be using Zoom. You will not need access to Minecraft to take part in this webinar.

Tags

Organized by

PlayMode Academy

PlayMode Academy is a non-profit social venture founded by Ellie Finch to make therapy and support services more accessible – especially for children and young people who may face barriers in accessing traditional forms of support.

We equip professionals in mental health, health, education, social care, and family support services with the confidence, understanding, and practical skills to use creative digital tools like Minecraft and digital sandtrays in meaningful, ethical, and engaging ways. Our training is rooted in lived experience, practitioner expertise, and a commitment to building more inclusive and accessible forms of support.

Many first discovered our creative digital tool trainings through Ellie Finch’s counselling website, EllieFinch.co.uk. But as the work grew – including partnerships, growing impact, and evidence-informed practice – it needed a dedicated home. That’s why PlayMode Academy was created: to bring together a vibrant community of practitioners exploring playful, inclusive, and digitally confident ways of working.

Our flagship training programme, Using Minecraft as a Therapeutic Tool, has reached professionals across the world – from therapists and counsellors to youth workers, educators, and hospice teams – including those at Children Heard and Seen, KEMP Hospice, Primrose Hospice, HealGame Ukraine, and the Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County. We’ve supported practitioners to launch therapeutic Minecraft groups, engage isolated children in one-to-one therapy, and create new pathways for communication and emotional support.

We also offer talks and workshops for parents and carers, helping them better understand their child’s digital world and explore the therapeutic potential of creative digital play.

Whether you're a practitioner, parent, or someone curious about the potential of creative digital tools, PlayMode Academy is here to support your learning, build your confidence, and help you work in creative and inclusive ways.

Find out more: https://playmodeacademy.org/

FreeOct 22 · 2:00 AM PDT