Worry Pet, a new and innovative therapy game developed by PlaySpace to help clients express their feelings and develop coping strategies.

Let’s be real, naming and talking about worries is hard, especially for kids. Many kids hold onto their worries quietly, not knowing how to explain what they’re feeling or feeling too nervous to try to share. Those big emotions often get tucked away, internalized, and often carried around in silence.

That’s exactly why we created Worry Pet, a playful, engaging game designed by PlaySpace to help kids externalize their worries, give them words, and begin talking about what’s going on inside.

Because here’s the thing:
When we can name a worry, it feels less scary.
When we can share a worry, it doesn’t have as much power.
When we can talk about a worry, we can begin to work through it.

So how does Worry Pet work?

Kids start by picking a pet, a cat, dog, or bunny, and giving it a name. Once they’ve selected their pet, they can type in a worry, or something they’re feeling anxious, unsure, or uneasy about. Then comes the heart of the experience: the worry feeding moment. Kids press enter and their worry gets sent straight to their pet to eat! As the pet holds onto their worry, kids begin to feel the relief of sharing the burden knowing they don’t have to carry the worry all by themselves anymore. 

Kids not sure what to write? That’s totally okay! Our AI worry generator can take a few words the kids share and suggest common worries that other kids have, helping them find the right words to describe what they are feeling.

A whole world of coping, too.

Worry Pet also includes psychoeducation about coping tools, such as self-care, movement, support, and play. They’re not just naming a worry they’re learning how to care for it outside of the game as well. By practicing these skills alongside their pet, kids build confidence in managing their feelings in real life, one small step at a time.

It’s more than just a game - it’s a conversation starter.

Worry Pet opens the door to deeper, meaningful conversations in a way that feels safe and lighthearted for kids. It’s the beginning of emotional expression, and it’s done in a way that meets them right where they are.

Worry Pet helps kids feel less alone in their big feelings. It normalizes worry, puts it into words, and creates space for play, curiosity, and connection. Because when a child feels safe enough to share a worry, even with a virtual pet, that’s a big deal. And it’s often the very first step toward healing.

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