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Play consultation · New York families

For the love of play.

Constantly entertaining, refereeing, or handing over the screen just for five minutes of peace? You're not alone — and it doesn't have to be this way.

I'm a play consultant for New York families, and I help kids fall in love with independent play — so your whole family can breathe again.

A vibrant art table covered in painted papers and creative materials
Independent playFamily connectionProcess-artPlay consultationEarly childhood developmentPlay space designParent educationChild-led learningIndependent playFamily connectionProcess-artPlay consultationEarly childhood developmentPlay space designParent educationChild-led learning

Children don't need more activities.
They need space to play.

In a world that rushes children from one structured activity to the next, independent play is becoming a lost art — and families feel it. Parents see their kids struggle to entertain themselves, resist boredom, and need constant engagement.

I work with families to shift that. Drawing on my knowledge of child development and my years of experience in different classrooms, I help parents understand the developmental power of unstructured play — and build a home environment where it actually happens.

This isn't about buying more toys or following a rigid system. It's about slowing down, following your child's lead, and trusting the process.

Toddler at mud kitchen
Two children creating collage
Rachel guiding families painting
Children painting cardboard
Mud kitchen overhead view
Outdoor play space setup
Children painting a cardboard box mural outdoors
Two children at a colorful water and muffin tin sensory station
Overhead view of pastel paint mixing bowls
Sensory bin with sand, sieves and muffin tin
Children playing with flowers and scoops in a water bin
Overhead view of butterfly and starfish sensory trays
Children digging in a kinetic sand construction bin
Toddler stacking and painting cardboard boxes
Overhead view of flower petals and water play station
Family making clay bricks together at an outdoor table
Child scooping colorful pom poms from a sensory bin
Overhead view of blue and black paint mixing station
Overhead view of a miniature garden sensory tray
Overhead view of seedlings sprouting in a soil sensory bin
Overhead view of colorful play dough on trays
Group of toddlers exploring an oat sensory bin
Children exploring a blue ocean sensory bin with sea creatures
Child reaching into a blue ocean sensory bin with toy boats
Toddler at mud kitchen
Two children creating collage
Rachel guiding families painting
Children painting cardboard
Mud kitchen overhead view
Outdoor play space setup
Children painting a cardboard box mural outdoors
Two children at a colorful water and muffin tin sensory station
Overhead view of pastel paint mixing bowls
Sensory bin with sand, sieves and muffin tin
Children playing with flowers and scoops in a water bin
Overhead view of butterfly and starfish sensory trays
Children digging in a kinetic sand construction bin
Toddler stacking and painting cardboard boxes
Overhead view of flower petals and water play station
Family making clay bricks together at an outdoor table
Child scooping colorful pom poms from a sensory bin
Overhead view of blue and black paint mixing station
Overhead view of a miniature garden sensory tray
Overhead view of seedlings sprouting in a soil sensory bin
Overhead view of colorful play dough on trays
Group of toddlers exploring an oat sensory bin
Children exploring a blue ocean sensory bin with sea creatures
Child reaching into a blue ocean sensory bin with toy boats
✦ The Playbook

Services for your family

Play Consultation

One-on-one sessions to understand your child, your home, and where play is breaking down. Together we build a sustainable plan that actually fits your life.

Family Connection Experiences

Guided art and play experiences for parents and children to explore together — joyfully, without screens or pressure.

Play Space Organization

I help you set up spaces that invite curiosity, creativity, and self-direction — without turning your living room into a preschool.

Parent Workshops

Small-group workshops on child development, the science of play, and how to step back in ways that genuinely help.

Curated Playdates & Parties

Thoughtfully designed play experiences for small groups — every detail curated to spark imagination and genuine joy.

✦ Beyond Play

Early Childhood Consulting

Sometimes what looks like "just a phase" is actually a child working through something harder — big emotions, transitions, regulation struggles, or worries that are bigger than they can name. Whether you're a parent navigating the hard moments at home, or an educator seeing these patterns play out in your classroom, the underlying needs are the same.

With a Master of Social Work and years of experience as an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant, I bring a clinical, relationship-based lens to families and school communities alike — helping adults understand what's underneath a behavior and build practical, sustainable strategies that actually work.

Rachel Fell, founder of CreativeMe NY
✦ About Rachel

Two master's degrees.
One deep belief in play.

I'm an early childhood specialist with a background in both education and social work. I've spent my career in diverse school settings — as a teacher, Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant, Special Education evaluator, SEIT, and Early Childhood social worker. I hold a Master of Social Work from Hunter College Silberman School of Social Work and a Master's in Early Childhood General and Special Education from Bank Street College of Education.

My love for early childhood began with play. Watching children play made me more present than I ever thought possible — and I've built my entire career around that feeling. I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to play, and my work has always centered on helping families create those moments.

In 2022, I founded CreativeMe NY with small-group process art classes for children. Since then, we've grown — adding a moms' art group where parents bring their babies and make art together, sensory play classes, and now play consultation for families who want to bring more of this magic home.

Every family deserves a little more play. Let's find yours. Play With Me
✦ The Approach

Less pressure, more play.

Child-led

Your child already knows what they need. My role is to help you read those signals, set up conditions that support them, and step back with confidence.

Home-centered

Real change happens at home, in ordinary moments. I work with what you already have — your space, routines, and family culture — not an idealized version of it.

Connection first

Independent play and family connection reinforce each other. When children feel securely attached, they play more freely. That's the foundation we build together.

✦ Investment

Simple, transparent pricing

Play Consultation

One-on-one sessions to understand your child, your home, and where play is breaking down — together we build a sustainable plan that fits your life.

Single session (60 min) + written follow-up plan$150
3-session package$400
Book now

Early Childhood Mental Health Consulting

Social work-informed, relationship-based support for big emotions and stuck routines — going beyond play strategies to help your family find its footing again.

Single session (60 min) + written follow-up plan$175
3-session package$475
Book now

Family Connection Experiences

Guided art and play experiences for parents and children to explore together — joyfully, without screens or pressure.

Single session$250
3-session package$650
Book now

Play Space Organization

I help you set up spaces that invite curiosity, creativity, and self-direction — without turning your living room into a preschool.

Initial visit + written recommendations + setup visit$650

Materials and supplies are not included — the cost of any materials will be added on. I'll provide a personalised shopping list so you know exactly what to expect before we spend anything.

Book now

Parent Workshops

Small-group workshops on child development, the science of play, and how to step back in ways that genuinely help.

Up to 6 people$450
Each additional person$35
Book now

Curated Playdates & Parties

Thoughtfully designed play experiences for small groups — every detail curated to spark imagination and genuine joy.

Starting at (up to 5 kids)$400

All materials and supplies included. Get in touch to talk through your vision for larger groups or longer events.

Let's plan it

✦ The Family Play Package

Everything your family needs to fully transform your relationship with play. Includes 2 Play Consultation calls, a full Playroom Design & Setup, and 1 Family Connection Experience.

Full package (valued at $1,200)$995
Get started