10 Creative Ways to Make Speech Therapy Fun

Are you looking for ways to make speech therapy fun for your child? You’re in the right place! In this article, we’ll share ten creative and engaging methods to transform speech therapy into an exciting activity that your child will look forward to. Whether it’s through playful games, outdoor adventures, or musical interactions, these tips will help keep your child motivated and make progress feel effortless.

1. Get Up and Get Moving

Introducing excitement into speech therapy by pairing it with physical activities is a fantastic way to engage your child. Movement not only makes learning fun but also stimulates the brain, enhancing the effectiveness of the practice.

Engage with Movement

Children often learn best when they are physically active. By integrating movement into speech therapy sessions, you can create an energetic and lively atmosphere that keeps your child motivated and eager to participate.

Ideas:

• Play Hide and Seek: This classic game can be adapted to include speech tasks. For example, each time your child finds you, they can practice a specific word or sound.
• Go on a Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of items around the house or yard and have your child search for them. Each item can be associated with a word or phrase to practice.
• Play Simon Says: This game is great for following directions and can include speech exercises, like “Simon says say ‘banana’ three times.”
• Create an Obstacle Course: Set up a simple obstacle course and place speech practice stations at each checkpoint. This can include saying words or sentences before moving to the next obstacle.
• Toss a Ball Back and Forth: While tossing a ball, have your child say a word or phrase each time they catch it. This can be a fun way to practice speech sounds and build coordination.

Benefits:

Engaging in physical activities during speech therapy offers several benefits:

• Enhanced Learning: Movement helps to stimulate the brain, making it easier for children to absorb and retain new information.
• Increased Motivation: Fun and active sessions keep children interested and eager to participate, reducing resistance to practice.
• Personalized Approach: Adapting activities to your child’s interests and energy levels can make each session more enjoyable and effective.

Speech Therapy Activities and Benefits

Activity	Description	Benefits
Hide and Seek	Incorporate speech tasks during the game – Example: Have your child say a target word before hiding or after being found.	Enhances engagement and physical activity
Craft Projects	Make items like paper plate snakes, sock puppets, or Play-Doh creations – Example: Create a snake and practice the “ssss” sound while working on it.	Boosts creativity and targets specific speech sounds
Singing Songs	Use songs like “Wheels On The Bus” and “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” – Example: Pause during the song to let your child fill in the blanks.	Improves motor movements and expressive language skills
Outdoor Play	Practice speech while walking, playing on swings, or at the playground – Example: Encourage your child to request activities like “More swing!”	Lifts mood and provides dynamic practice sessions
Favorite Games	Integrate speech tasks into games like Candyland, puzzles, or word searches. – Example: Before each turn in a game, have your child pronounce a target word.	Keeps practice enjoyable and rewarding

Also read: How Wellness Hub Makes Online Speech Therapy Fun & Effective

2. Try Out New Crafts

Crafting is a fantastic way to keep your child engaged during speech therapy. Hands-on activities not only make the sessions more enjoyable but also provide an excellent opportunity for practicing speech sounds in a creative and fun manner.

Crafting Fun

Using crafts in speech therapy can help children focus on their speech goals while having a great time. The tactile and visual aspects of crafting make it easier for children to stay interested and motivated.

Examples:

• Make a Snake Out of a Paper Plate: This simple craft is perfect for practicing the “ssss” sound. As your child colors and assembles the snake, encourage them to make the hissing sound. This repetitive practice can help reinforce the correct pronunciation.
• Create Sock Puppets: Let your child design and create sock puppets. Once the puppets are ready, use them in a fun storytelling session where each puppet has to say specific words or sounds. This can be particularly useful for practicing articulation.
• Build with Play-Doh: Play-Doh is versatile and fun. You can use it to create shapes and objects that relate to the sounds your child is working on. For instance, make a dog practice the “d” sound or a cat for the “k” sound.

Additional Tip:

Incorporate following directions into the craft activities to enhance your child’s receptive language skills. Give simple, clear instructions that your child can follow step by step. For example, you could say, “First, roll the Play-Doh into a ball, then flatten it to make a pancake.” This not only makes the craft activity more structured but also helps your child improve their listening and comprehension skills.

3. Turn on the Music

Music is a wonderful tool for making speech therapy fun and engaging. By using songs and nursery rhymes, you can effectively target speech goals in a way that feels more like play than practice.

Musical Therapy

Music naturally captures children’s attention and makes learning more enjoyable. Singing songs together can help improve your child’s speech and language skills in an interactive and entertaining way.

Songs to Use:

• “Wheels On The Bus”: This classic song is great for repetitive practice. Sing the verses together and pause occasionally to let your child fill in the blanks. For example, you can sing, “The wheels on the bus go…” and let your child say “round and round.”
• “The Itsy Bitsy Spider”: This song involves both singing and hand movements, making it perfect for improving motor skills along with speech. Encourage your child to imitate the hand gestures as you sing together.

Activity:

As you sing these songs, take strategic pauses to allow your child to fill in the missing words. This not only helps with word recall but also encourages them to actively participate. Additionally, include gestures and hand movements to improve their motor coordination and expressive language skills.

• Example: While singing “The Itsy Bitsy Spider,” pause before the word “spout” and let your child say it. Use your fingers to mimic the spider climbing up and down, and have your child follow along.
• Another Idea: During “Wheels On The Bus,” you can create actions for each verse, like making circular motions with your hands for the wheels going round or pretending to open and close doors.

Read more: Easy Music Play at Home: Fun Activities for Kids

4. Take Practice Outside

Taking speech therapy sessions outside can make them more enjoyable and engaging for your child. The change of scenery and the freedom to move around can turn practice into an adventure.

Outdoor Activities

Outdoor settings offer numerous opportunities to practice speech in a fun and relaxed environment. Here are some activities to try:

• Walking: Go for a walk and describe the things you see. Encourage your child to name objects, colors, and actions they observe, like “red car,” “big tree,” or “running dog.”
• Playing on Swings: Use the swings to practice speech. As your child swings, pause and encourage them to request to be pushed. They might say “swing,” “more swing,” or “push, please.” Model slightly longer phrases for them to imitate, such as “I want to swing more” or “Please push me.”
• At the Playground: Use the playground equipment as prompts for speech practice. Ask your child to name the equipment they want to use or describe their actions, like “climbing ladder,” “going down slide,” or “swinging high.”

Interactive Tip

Encourage your child to request activities actively. For example, if they want to continue swinging, wait for them to ask. You can model phrases like “More swing, please” and then encourage them to repeat it. This interactive approach helps them practice forming longer phrases and making requests clearly.

5. Pick Relatable Topics

Keeping your child engaged in speech therapy can be much easier when you focus on topics that interest them. A child-led approach ensures that your child is more willing to participate and enjoy the sessions.

Child-Led Approach

Children are naturally more motivated to learn and practice when the activities align with their interests. By focusing on what they love, you can make speech therapy sessions more enjoyable and effective.

Example: If They Love Dinosaurs

If your child is fascinated by dinosaurs, use this interest to your advantage. Incorporate dinosaur-themed words and discussions into your speech therapy practice. For example:

• Word Practice: Use words like “Tyrannosaurus,” “Stegosaurus,” “dinosaur,” and “fossil.”
• Discussions: Talk about different types of dinosaurs, their sizes, what they ate, and where they lived. Ask your child questions that prompt them to use these words in sentences.

Reading Tip

Choosing books on topics your child loves can also enhance their engagement during reading sessions. Here’s how to make it work:

• Select Books: Find books about dinosaurs, cars, princesses, animals, or whatever your child is passionate about.
• Interactive Reading: While reading, pause to discuss the pictures, ask your child to predict what will happen next, or have them repeat key phrases or words. This not only makes the reading session interactive but also helps in practicing speech sounds and language skills.

6. Play Games

Integrating speech practice into your child’s favorite games can make therapy sessions more enjoyable and effective. Games provide a fun and relaxed environment for practicing speech sounds and language skills.

Game Integration

Incorporate speech exercises into the games your child loves to play. This approach ensures that they stay motivated and engaged while practicing their speech goals.

Examples:

• Candyland: Before each turn, have your child pronounce a target word. For instance, if they are working on the “s” sound, they can say words like “sun,” “sand,” or “sock” before moving their piece.
• Puzzles: While assembling a puzzle, ask your child to name each piece or describe what they see in the picture. This helps with vocabulary and articulation practice.
• Word Searches: Create word searches that include target words for your child to find and say aloud. This can be a fun way to practice reading and pronunciation.

Structured Play

To keep playtime purposeful and rewarding, structure the games to include specific speech tasks. Here are some tips:

• Set Clear Goals: Decide on the speech sounds or words to practice before starting the game.
• Offer Rewards: Use small rewards or praise to motivate your child. For example, after successfully pronouncing a word, they can earn an extra turn or a small treat.
• Keep It Fun: Ensure that the focus remains on having fun. If the game becomes too challenging or stressful, take a break and try again later.

7. Make it a Competition

Introducing friendly competition into speech therapy can significantly boost your child’s motivation and engagement. Games and challenges provide a fun way to practice speech skills while striving towards a goal.

Friendly Competition

Turning speech practice into a competition can make the sessions more dynamic and exciting. Children often enjoy the challenge and the opportunity to win rewards.

Ideas:

• Pick Dessert: Create a simple competition where “whoever wins gets to pick dessert.” This can be a fun way to encourage your child to participate actively in speech exercises.
• Skip a Chore: Another motivating idea is “win and skip a chore.” This reward can be very enticing for children, making them more willing to engage in practice.

Engagement

Adding an element of competition adds excitement to speech therapy sessions. It gives your child a clear goal to strive for, making the practice more purposeful and enjoyable.

• Example: Set up a game where each correct pronunciation earns a point. The first to reach a certain number of points gets to choose the evening’s dessert or skip a chore for the day. This makes the practice session lively and goal-oriented.
• Another Idea: Use a timer to see who can complete the most speech tasks correctly in a set amount of time. The winner could get extra screen time or a small treat.

8. Use Reward Charts

Implementing a reward system can be a powerful way to encourage consistent speech practice. Incentive systems like reward charts help motivate children by making their efforts feel recognized and rewarded.

Incentive Systems

A reward chart is a simple yet effective tool to keep your child motivated. By providing visual and tangible rewards, you can make speech therapy sessions something your child looks forward to.

Example: Sticker Charts

One of the easiest ways to implement a reward system is through sticker charts. Here’s how it works:

• Set a Goal: Decide on a specific amount of time for speech practice, such as 15 minutes.
• Earn Stickers: Each time your child completes a session, they earn a sticker to place on their chart.
• Bigger Rewards: Once the chart is filled, reward your child with something bigger. This could be a toy, a trip to the park, or a special treat.

Rewards

Choosing the right incentives is key to keeping your child engaged. The rewards should be meaningful and motivating for your child. Here are some ideas:

• Toys: A new toy can be a great motivator. Let your child pick out a toy they want to work towards.
• Trips: Plan a special outing, like a visit to the park, zoo, or a favorite restaurant.
• Activities: Offer extra screen time, a fun family game night, or an extra bedtime story.

Reward Chart Example

Day of the Week	Speech Practice Completed	Sticker Earned	Total Stickers
Monday	Yes	🌟	1
Tuesday	Yes	🌟	2
Wednesday	Yes	🌟	3
Thursday	Yes	🌟	4
Friday	Yes	🌟	5

9. Let Your Child Be the “Teacher”

Giving your child the opportunity to take the lead and play the role of the “teacher” can be a highly effective way to enhance their speech therapy practice. This role reversal not only makes the sessions more engaging but also reinforces their learning through teaching.

Role Reversal

Children often find it exciting to switch roles and become the teacher. This approach allows them to take control and ask you speech-related questions. It can be a fun and empowering experience that encourages them to participate actively.

Activity: Practice Sounds

Here’s a simple way to implement this strategy:

• Set Up the Scenario: Explain to your child that they will be the teacher for this session. Give them a list of words or sounds that they need to quiz you on.
• Quiz Time: Let your child ask you to pronounce different words or sounds. Make sure to intentionally make some mistakes.
• Correction: Encourage your child to listen carefully and correct any mistakes you make. For example, if they ask you to say “thunder” and you say “tunder,” they should correct you by saying “No, it’s ‘thunder.’”

Benefits

This activity offers several benefits:

• Active Participation: By taking on the teacher role, your child becomes more involved in the learning process. This active participation can lead to better retention and understanding.
• Reinforcement Through Teaching: Teaching someone else is a powerful way to reinforce what one has learned. When your child corrects your mistakes, they are reinforcing their own knowledge and skills.
• Confidence Building: Playing the role of the teacher can boost your child’s confidence and make them feel more competent in their speech abilities.

10. Set Aside Special Toys

Creating a sense of excitement around speech therapy sessions can be easily achieved by using special toys that are exclusively reserved for these practice times. This strategy helps make speech practice something your child looks forward to.

Designated Speech Toys

By designating certain toys for speech therapy, you can make the sessions feel unique and special. These toys should be ones that your child loves but doesn’t have access to all the time, keeping their appeal high.

Examples

Here are some ideas for special toys that can be used exclusively during speech therapy sessions:

• Interactive Toys: Toys that require interaction, like talking dolls or action figures, can be great for practicing speech. Your child can use these toys to create dialogues and practice specific sounds or words.
• Puzzles and Games: Choose puzzles and games that involve speaking, such as word puzzles, matching games, or board games that include verbal prompts.
• Art Supplies: Special sets of crayons, markers, or Play-Doh can be used to create art projects that incorporate speech practice. For instance, they can describe what they are drawing or making as they go along.

Engagement

Having special toys for speech practice helps your child associate these sessions with something positive and fun. It turns practice into a treat rather than a chore.

• Motivation: Knowing they get to play with their favorite toys can be a significant motivator for your child. They are more likely to be enthusiastic and engaged in the session.
• Consistency: This approach can also help establish a routine. When your child knows that certain toys are only available during speech therapy, they may be more willing to stick to regular practice times.

Conclusion

Making speech therapy fun is possible with these creative and engaging methods. You can use movement, crafts, music, outdoor activities, relatable topics, games, competitions, reward charts, role reversal, and special toys to make speech practice enjoyable for your child. These activities not only help in learning but also make the sessions something your child looks forward to.

Remember, the goal is to enjoy the time spent together and to make progress in a relaxed and enjoyable way. By using these fun strategies, you can help your child improve their speech skills in a positive and supportive environment. For more tips and resources on making speech therapy effective and fun, visit Wellness Hub.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How can I make speech therapy fun for my child?

Making speech therapy fun involves incorporating engaging activities such as movement, crafts, music, outdoor play, games, competitions, reward charts, role reversal, and special toys. These methods help keep your child motivated and make practice sessions enjoyable.

2. What are some creative ways to practice speech therapy at home?

Some creative ways to practice speech therapy at home include playing hide and seek, making crafts, singing songs like “Wheels On The Bus,” taking practice sessions outside, playing games like Candyland, and using reward charts. These activities make speech practice more engaging and effective.

3. Why is it important to make speech therapy fun?

Making speech therapy fun is important because it helps keep your child motivated and engaged. Fun activities reduce resistance to practice, making it easier for your child to improve their speech skills in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.

4. Can games help in speech therapy?

Yes, games can significantly help in speech therapy. By incorporating speech practice into your child’s favorite games, you can make sessions more enjoyable and engaging. This approach helps children practice speech sounds and language skills in a fun way.

5. How do reward charts work in speech therapy?

Reward charts work by providing visual and tangible rewards for completing speech practice sessions. For example, your child can earn a sticker for every 15 minutes of practice, and once the chart is filled, they receive a bigger reward like a toy or a trip to the park. This method helps motivate consistent practice.

6. What are the benefits of using music in speech therapy?

Music helps in speech therapy by making learning more enjoyable and interactive. Singing songs and using nursery rhymes can target speech goals and improve motor movements and expressive language skills. Songs like “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” and “Wheels On The Bus” are great examples.

7. How can I involve my child’s interests in speech therapy?

Involving your child’s interests in speech therapy can keep them engaged and motivated. Use topics they love, like dinosaurs or cars, in discussions and reading sessions. This child-led approach makes practice sessions more enjoyable and relevant to your child.

8. What is the role of outdoor activities in speech therapy?

Outdoor activities play a significant role in making speech therapy enjoyable. Practicing speech while walking, playing on swings, or at the playground can lift your child’s mood and make practice sessions more dynamic and effective.

9. How does role reversal benefit speech therapy?

Role reversal, where your child plays the teacher, benefits speech therapy by encouraging active participation and reinforcing learning through teaching. This method boosts confidence and helps your child become more engaged in the practice.

10. Why should special toys be used only for speech therapy sessions?

Using special toys exclusively for speech therapy sessions keeps them feeling new and exciting. This approach helps your child look forward to practice times, making the sessions more engaging and effective.

About the Author:

Anuradha Karanam

Speech-language pathologist (7+ years of experience)

Anuradha Karanam is a skilled speech-language pathologist with over 6 years of experience. Fluent in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and English, she specializes in parent counseling, speech sound disorders, fluency assessment, and speech-language evaluations. Anuradha excels at working with children with developmental disorders, offering creative and effective therapy programs. Currently, at Wellness Hub, she holds a BASLP degree and is registered with the RCI (CRR No A85500). Her patience, ambition, and dedication make her a trusted expert.