Pleasant Activities Menu
A fillable menu of 24 simple pleasant activities, with space for personal ideas and a plan for three to try this week, supporting behavioural activation.
1-page fillable PDF · US Letter (prints on A4) · Behavioural activation
- Approach / concern
- Depression
- Technique
- Behavioural activation
- Format
- Fillable PDF, 1 page (US Letter / A4)
- Access
- Pro and Advanced plans (3-day free trial)
- For
- Licensed clinicians to use with clients
- Updated
- October 2026
Key facts
What is the Pleasant Activities Menu?
Pleasant activity lists have a long history in behavioural treatments for depression, dating back to Lewinsohn’s Pleasant Events Schedule. They help people generate ideas for rewarding activities when low mood narrows thinking and motivation.
Why it works
Engagement in pleasant events is linked to mood, and the Pleasant Events Schedule was developed to measure and increase such activities (MacPhillamy & Lewinsohn, 1982). Activity scheduling is a core component of behavioural activation (Martell et al., 2010).
When to use it
- Depression and low mood
- Building an activity menu for behavioural activation
- Burnout and stress recovery
- Group programs
How to use it in session
- Invite the client to tick anything they’d be willing to try.
- Star favourites and add personal ideas.
- Choose three for the coming week and schedule them.
- Rate mood before and after on the BA planner.
- Review and expand the list over time.
Clinician tips
- Lower the bar: 5 minutes counts.
- Include social, physical and mastery activities.
- Respect cultural and financial context when suggesting activities.
Worked example
Sharing with clients
Members can download the PDF to print or email, or copy a private client link from the download box. Your client opens the link and downloads the worksheet on any device. No client account is needed, and nothing your client writes is stored on TherapyAid.
Frequently asked questions
What if nothing sounds enjoyable?
That’s common in depression. Choose activities you used to enjoy or that feel slightly less bad. Enjoyment often follows action.
How many activities should I schedule?
Start with two or three small ones per week and build gradually.
References
MacPhillamy, D. J., & Lewinsohn, P. M. (1982). The Pleasant Events Schedule: Studies on reliability, validity, and scale intercorrelation. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 50(3), 363-380.
Martell, C. R., Dimidjian, S., & Herman-Dunn, R. (2010). Behavioral activation for depression: A clinician’s guide. Guilford Press.
This worksheet is an educational tool for use by, or under the guidance of, a licensed or registered mental-health professional. It is not a diagnostic instrument or a substitute for clinical judgement. If a client is in crisis in Canada, call or text 9-8-8 or call 9-1-1.
