speech therapy exercises for 5 year old

• Free Worksheets

I created these free speech and language worksheets so you can easily download and print them out to use as part of your speech therapy program.  Just scroll down the page to view the worksheets by topic.  You will find free speech therapy worksheets for articulation, vocabulary , grammar, holiday articulation and language games…and lots of other miscellaneous speech therapy creations that I love!  If you would like more information on what articulation therapy is you might like to read a post I have written called  Teaching Speech Sounds: The Process of Traditional Articulation Therapy

Parents:  If you are a mommy or a daddy (or grandma or grandpa) who wants to work with your child at home, you can use these speech therapy activity pages for extra practice.  Just choose the sound position to work on (initial, medial, or final) and click on the corresponding link to view and print the worksheets.  To help make practice more fun, you can print out two of the same page so you have pairs, cut them out, and use them to play a game of memory or go fish. You can also use them as flashcards.  You will find free speech therapy worksheets by sound and at a variety of levels; word level, phrase level and sentence levels!

Articulation Worksheets

Speech Sounds in Syllable Wheel

/th/ Sound Voiceless

/th/ Sound Voiced

Grammar Worksheets

Regular past tense.

Irregular Past Tense

Third Person Singular

Vocabulary Worksheets – Holiday and Seasonal Themed 

Fall & autumn memory game, christmas vocabulary 1, christmas vocabulary 2, summer vocabulary, summer vocabulary companion, grammar bingo games – holiday and seasonal themed, grammar bingo games.

Vocabulary BINGO Games – Holiday and Seasonal Themed

Vocabulary bingo - winter, concepts bingo - christmas, conceptual vocabulary bingo - back-to-school, conceptual vocabulary bingo - fall, conceptual vocabulary bingo - spring & easter, lemonade stand bingo - summer, 4th of july vocabulary bingo - summer.

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15 Fun Activities to Speech Therapy for kids That Actually Work!

Introduction

Hey there, parents and fellow speech therapists! Let’s talk about something important: making speech therapy for kids sessions not just effective, but downright fun! As a speech therapist myself, I’ve learned that incorporating engaging activities into therapy sessions can work wonders for children’s motivation and progress. So, get ready to unleash your creativity and discover 15 fun activities that will have your kiddos excited to practice their speech and language skills!

Understanding the Role of Play in Speech Therapy

You know what they say: “Play is the work of childhood.” And boy, are they right! Play isn’t just about having fun; it’s also a powerful tool for learning and development. When it comes to  speech therapy for kids , play-based approaches can be incredibly effective in engaging children, promoting language exploration, and fostering social interaction. So, let’s embrace the power of play and see how it can help our little ones soar!

Choosing the Right Activities for Your Child

Before diving into the activities, it’s essential to consider your child’s interests, developmental level, and specific speech goals. Every child is unique, so what works for one kiddo may not work for another. Take some time to observe what your child enjoys and tailor the activities to suit their preferences. Keep in mind, the objective is to ensure that learning resembles play!

15 Fun and Effective Speech Therapy Activities

1. Storytelling with Props

One of my favorite activities to do with kids is storytelling with props. Whether it’s using puppets, dolls, or action figures, props can bring stories to life and ignite children’s imagination. Encourage your child to create their own stories, using the props to act out scenes and practice their  speech therapy for kids .

2. Articulation Obstacle Course

Who says  speech therapy for kids  can’t be active? Create an obstacle course with different stations representing target sounds or words. As your child navigates the course, they’ll have a blast practicing their articulation skills while burning off some energy. It’s a win-win!

3. Sensory Bins for Vocabulary Building

Sensory bins are a fantastic way to engage children in hands-on learning while promoting vocabulary development. Fill a bin with materials like rice, beans, or water beads, and add themed objects or flashcards for your child to explore. Not only will they have fun, but they’ll also be expanding their vocabulary in the process.

4. Music and Movement

Music has a magical way of capturing children’s attention and inspiring them to move and groove. Incorporate songs, chants, and musical instruments into your  speech therapy for kids  sessions to work on rhythm, rhyme, and repetition. Plus, dancing along to the music adds an extra element of fun!

5. Interactive Games for Turn-Taking

Board games, card games, and interactive digital games are excellent tools for practicing turn-taking and social interaction. Whether it’s playing a round of “I Spy” or taking turns in a virtual game, these activities provide valuable opportunities for children to practice their communication skills while having a blast.

6. Puppet Play for Social Skills

Puppets are like magic in  speech therapy for kids  sessions! They can help shy children come out of their shells, encourage imaginative play, and provide a non-threatening way to practice social skills. Whether it’s having a puppet conversation or putting on a puppet show, the possibilities are endless!

7. Cooking and Baking Activities

Cooking and baking activities are not only delicious; they’re also fantastic opportunities to work on speech and language skills. Whether you’re following a recipe, describing ingredients, or sequencing steps, these hands-on activities engage multiple senses and promote communication in a fun and meaningful way.

8. Outdoor Scavenger Hunts

Take your  speech therapy for kids  sessions outdoors with a fun scavenger hunt! Create a list of items for your child to find and describe, whether it’s spotting birds, identifying plants, or searching for objects with specific sounds. Not only will they be practicing their speech skills, but they’ll also be soaking up the sunshine and fresh air.

9. Role-Playing with Dress-Up

Dress-up play is a fantastic way to encourage imaginative thinking, creativity, and social interaction. Set up a dress-up corner with costumes, accessories, and props, and let your child’s imagination run wild. Whether they’re playing pretend or acting out real-life scenarios, they’ll be practicing their speech and language skills without even realizing it.

10. DIY Sensory Bottles for Calming

Sensory bottles are not only mesmerizing to look at; they’re also a great tool for promoting relaxation and focus. Fill a bottle with glitter, beads, or water, and encourage your child to shake, swirl, and observe the calming motion. As they describe what they see, hear, and feel, they’ll be strengthening their language skills in a soothing way.

11. Speech Sound Bingo

Who doesn’t love a game of bingo? Turn  speech therapy for kids  into a fun-filled game by playing Speech Sound Bingo! Create bingo cards filled with words containing your child’s target sounds, and let the games begin. As they mark off squares and say the words aloud, they’ll be mastering their speech sounds while having a blast.

12. Nature Walks for Language Exploration

Nature is full of wonders waiting to be discovered, making it the perfect setting for language exploration. Take your child on a nature walk and encourage them to observe, describe, and ask questions about the world around them. From identifying birds to describing textures, there’s so much to talk about in nature!

13. DIY Storybooks

Creating DIY storybooks is a wonderful way to foster creativity, literacy, and storytelling skills. Help your child write or dictate their own stories, using pictures, drawings, or photographs to bring their tales to life. Whether it’s a silly adventure or a heartfelt tale, their imagination is the limit!

14. Speech Therapy Charades

Put a speech therapy twist on a classic game with  speech therapy for kids  Charades! Have your child act out words or phrases related to their speech goals, and see if you can guess what they’re trying to say. It’s a fun and interactive way to practice expressive language and nonverbal communication skills.

15. Virtual Field Trips and Storytime

When you can’t venture out into the world, bring the world to you with virtual field trips and storytime sessions. Whether it’s exploring museums, zoos, or far-off lands, or listening to engaging storytellers spin tales, these virtual experiences provide endless opportunities for language enrichment and interactive learning.

And there you have it – 15 fun and effective activities for  speech therapy for kids  that actually work! Remember, the key is to make learning feel like play and to tailor the activities to your child’s interests and needs. So, get creative, get silly, and most importantly, have fun along the way! With these engaging activities in your toolkit, you’ll be helping your child build their speech and language skills while making cherished memories together.

1. Are these activities suitable for children of all ages?

Absolutely! The activities mentioned in the article can be adapted to suit children of various ages and developmental stages. Whether you’re working with a toddler or a school-aged child, you can adjust the complexity and difficulty level of the activities to meet their needs.

2. How can I modify these activities for children with specific speech goals?

Each activity can be tailored to address specific speech goals, whether it’s articulation, language comprehension, social skills, or fluency. For example, you can focus on specific sounds or words in Speech Sound Bingo or incorporate targeted vocabulary in Storytelling with Props. Feel free to customize the activities to align with your child’s individual speech therapy goals.

3. What if my child loses interest during the activity?

It’s normal for children to have short attention spans, especially during  speech therapy for kids  sessions. If your child loses interest, try to make the activity more engaging by introducing new elements, changing the setting, or taking a short break. You can also incorporate their interests or favorite toys into the activity to maintain their motivation and participation.

4. Can I incorporate these activities into our daily routines at home?

Absolutely! Many of the activities mentioned in the article can be seamlessly integrated into your daily routines at home. Whether it’s cooking together in the kitchen, going for a nature walk, or playing board games as a family, there are plenty of opportunities to practice speech and language skills in a natural and meaningful context.

5. What if my child has difficulty with certain aspects of speech therapy, such as articulation or social skills?

If your child is struggling with specific aspects of  speech therapy for kids , don’t hesitate to reach out to a speech therapist for guidance and support. They can provide personalized strategies and techniques to address your child’s individual needs and help them make progress in their speech and language development.

6. How often should I incorporate these activities into our speech therapy sessions?

The frequency of incorporating these activities into your  speech therapy for kids  sessions will depend on your child’s needs, schedule, and preferences. You can try integrating one or two activities into each session and adjusting as needed based on your child’s response and progress. Consistency is key, so aim to practice speech and language skills regularly, whether it’s daily, weekly, or bi-weekly.

7. Can these activities be adapted for virtual or online speech therapy sessions?

Absolutely! Many of the activities mentioned in the article can be adapted for virtual or online  speech therapy for kids  sessions. For example, you can play virtual board games, create digital storybooks, or engage in interactive storytelling using video conferencing platforms. Get creative with technology and explore new ways to make speech therapy fun and engaging, even in a virtual setting.

8. What if my child has sensory sensitivities or special needs?

If your child has sensory sensitivities or special needs, it’s essential to adapt the activities to accommodate their individual preferences and sensory needs. Consider using sensory-friendly materials, providing sensory breaks as needed, and modifying the activities to suit your child’s comfort level. Remember, inclusivity is key, so prioritize your child’s well-being and enjoyment during therapy sessions.

9. How can I track my child’s progress with these activities?

Tracking your child’s progress with these activities can be as simple as keeping a journal or logbook to document their participation, engagement, and any improvements you notice over time. You can also use visual aids, such as charts or graphs, to visually represent your child’s progress and celebrate their achievements along the way.

10. What if my child refuses to participate in the activities?

If your child refuses to participate in the activities, it’s essential to respect their boundaries and avoid forcing them to participate. Instead, try to understand the underlying reasons for their reluctance and address any concerns or anxieties they may have. You can also try introducing the activities gradually, providing encouragement and positive reinforcement to help build their confidence and motivation.

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Free Articulation Worksheets

60+ articulation worksheets ready for parents, therapists, and children. For first timers, please follow the getting started guide below.

Getting started guide

Each worksheet comes with 16 words. You can either print the sheet out and write on it directly, or  laminate it for reuse. The cards can easily be cut into flashcards as well. 

Have the child practice lip and tongue placement.

Practice the sound in isolation multiple times. Give the child a star for each attempt.

Work on syllables by combining the middle letter with each of the outer vowels. Switch the order of the letter with the vowels to practice initial, medial, and final syllables (ra, ar, ara, etc).

Every time the child says the target word make a star in 1 of the 5 circles at the bottom of the card.

Use the chart to see the average age a child produces certain english sounds. This is based off of research published in 2018. Click on the letter to jump to the worksheets or scroll down to see the worksheets in alphabetical order. 

Voiced + Voiceless TH

Free worksheets below... BUT if you want to save time and support the site, purchase a single digital workbook with 60+ worksheets! $14.99

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b-Initial Words

b-Medial Words

b-Final Words

ch Sound

ch-Initial Words

ch-Medial Words

ch-Final Words

d-Initial Words

d-Medial Words

d-Final Words

f-Initial Words

f-Medial Words

f-Final Words

g-Initial Words

g-Medial Words

g-Final Words

h-Initial Words

j-Initial Words

k-Initial Words

k-Medial Words

k-Final Words

l-Initial Words

l-Medial Words

l-Final Words

m-Initial Words

m-Medial Words

m-Final Words

n-Initial Words

n-Medial Words

n-Final Words

p-Initial Words

p-Medial Words

p-Final Words

r-Initial Words

s-Initial Words

s-Medial Words

s-Final Words

sh-Initial Words

sh-Medial Words

sh-Final Words

t-Initial Words

t-Medial Words

t-Final Words

th-Initial Words

th-Medial Words

th-Final Words

v-Initial Words

v-Medial Words

v-Final Words

w-Initial Words

y-Initial Words

z-Initial Words

z-Medial Words

z-Final Words

A website dedicated to helping SLPs use PLAY-BASED speech and language therapy so they can save time and have fun!   

50 fun and easy articulation activities for speech therapy.

Articulation cards are a staple in Speech Therapy rooms. Articulation Flash Cards can be used in so many ways with preschoolers and elementary students... buuuttt sometimes they can get boring and repetitive. Check out these articulation card ideas to bring some new and exciting speech therapy activities into your therapy room! You can use these ideas in group therapy or in one-on-one sessions or even send them home for easy articulation homework ideas!

WHAT’S THERE?: Place 5 cards around the room. Ask the child to find and label the card in a particular place. For example, “What is beside the lamp?” -> “ Bee!”

MAKE A ROAD: Place target cards on the floor around the room. Drive cards over the cards. If you have a toy tractor, you can load the cards into the tractor.

FEED THE PUPPET: Feed a puppet the target cards.

FLASHLIGHT HUNT: Pin the cards around a room. Turn the lights off and give the child a flashlight to find the cards.

IS IT A ___?: Ask the child if a card is an item. For example, “Is it a cat?”. You can use the carrier phrases, “No! It’s a ____” or “Yes! It’s a ___.” Have the child complete the blank.

MUSICAL CHAIRS: Place cards on the floor. Play music and when it stops, have the child find a card to sit on.

TAKE PICTURES: Use a camera/phone to take pictures of the cards. Kids find this incredibly motivating!

BOWLING: Put the cards in paper bags. Take turns rolling a ball to knock over the ‘pins’. Say the word when you knock over a bag.

OBSTACLE COURSE: Make an obstacle course out of items that you have. Make sure to go under, over, and between objects! Place cards throughout the obstacle to practice along the way.

‘BUY’ THE CARDS: Play store! Use pretend money and have the child ‘buy’ the cards.

BEAN BAG TOSS: Place cards on the floor. Have the child throw a bean bag on the cards. For more trials, the child can also tell you which card they are aiming at.

BALL POPPER: Stand the cards up using binder clips, or stick them to a wall. Use a ball popper (or bubbles) to aim for the cards.

HOPSCOTCH: Make a hopscotch board out of tape on the floor. Place a card in each square. Say the word when you land on it.

SENSORY BIN: Place the cards in a bin filled with cotton balls, pom poms, and cut up straws - or anything you can think of! Have the child find the items using tongs or tweezers.

JENGA: Place cards between the layers of blocks.

FLY SWATTER: Place the cards around the room. Give the child a fly swatter and have the child ‘swat’ each card. Kids love running between the cards!

TELL SOMEONE: Bring the cards to show the child’s teacher/friend. Ask the student to label each card.

WHAT AM I DRAWING?: Place the cards face up, in front of you and the child. Take turns drawing one of the items. See if you can guess what it is!

HIDE UNDER CUPS: Hide the cards under plastic cups.

SNOWBALL FIGHT: Place the cards upright using binder clips. Use scrunched up paper balls to knock the cards over.

HIDE IN BOOKS: Hide cards in books. You can use Sticky Tack (or hide under flaps!) to stick the cards to the pages. Say the word when you flip to the page the card is on.

HANG AND CATCH: This activity takes a little more prep but it is so fun! Hang string with paper clips from the ceiling. Attach cards and have your students pull the cards off the string.

PLAYDOUGH: Smoosh play dough on the card each time you say the word (make sure your cards are laminated!).

TIC TAC TOE: Print a few copies of your articulation cards and play tic tac toe! Give each player 6 copies of a card.

MAKE A SHAPE: Make different shapes with your cards (square, circle, triangle).

HOPPING: Place the cards around the room on the ground. Hop from one card to another.

SIMPLE DRILL: Pair your card with a drill card and cover each number with a token or a mini object.

ROLL AND SAY: Roll a dice. Say the word the number of times indicated on the dice.

MEMORY: Print two sets of cards and play memory.

GO FISH: Use two sets of cards to play Go Fish.

MEMORY GAME: Place several cards face up on the table. Have the child study the cards. Flip them face down and see how many card the child can remember.

FISHING: Use a magnet and paper clips to create a fishing game.

WHAT’S MISSING: Put 2 or 3 cards on table, face up. Let the child take a quick peek and then close their eyes. Take one card away or turns one card over. Ask the child to guess which one is missing.

MAIL CARDS: Make a mailbox out of a tissue box. “Mail” the cards to family and friends.

EGG CARTON TOSS: Place one card in each section of the carton. Have the child toss a coin into the carton. Say the word on the card where the coin landed.

TELL A STORY: Use several cards to create a story. (This is best for conversation level).

SILLY SENTENCES: Make a silly sentence with each card.

POP IT: Use a Pop it fidget toy and have the child push one section each time they say the word.

USE CLOTHESPINS: Have the child place a clothespin on the card each time they say the word.

COLOR AND CREATE: Use black and white Articulation Cards. Allow the child to color and create their own set that they can use and take home! (My Articulation cards come in black and white and color for this purpose!)

BURY AND FIND: Bury cards under pom poms, cotton balls, or sand. Have the student use a shovel or tongs to find the cards/

BUCKET TOSS: Place cards in buckets. Throw crumbled paper or a ball in to the bucket.

MINI OBJECTS: Lay your cards on the table and cover them with mini objects. Simple but effective!

BUBBLE BLOW: Place cards on the wall using sticky tack or Painter’s Tape. Blow bubbles onto the cards. Say the word when the bubble lands on it.

MICROPHONE/TELEPHONE: Say your words into a telephone or toy microphone. You could also use paper towel rolls.

HOLE PUCH: Print Black and White Cards and hole punch the cards each time you say the word.

MAGNET WAND: Use a magnet wand and magnetic chips. Place a chip on each card the you say the word. Use the wand to pick up all the chips when you are done!

BLOCKS & CARDS: Place a block ad then lay a card on top. Continue until the tower tumbles. See how high you can build the tower before it falls!

SPOON RACE: Place the card on a spoon and see how fast you can make it across the room. Say the word when you place the card on the spoon.

FEED ANIMALS: Use toy animals and have them ‘eat’ the cards. Kids think this is hilarious!

I hope you find these articulation therapy ideas helpful. I know I am always looking for ways to mix it up and keep my students engaged.

The key to all sessions (in my opinion) is to allow a LOT of choices. If you want an Articulation Activity Choice Board (it includes 30 of the no-prep activities listed here ), sign up for my email list (link below) and you’ll get instant access!

If you're looking for some bright and colourful (and black and white) articulation cards, make sure to check out my Articulation Cards for Speech Therapy!

• Speech Therapy Tips and Tricks

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6 Free Online Speech Therapy Resources For Kids

As parents, you know there are many ways to enrich your child’s speech and language skills, including games, books, and language modeling activities. Online speech therapy resources offer your child a way to refine and practice their speech and language skills at home. Sometimes your child needs a little extra speech therapy, whether it is to refine certain skills they are learning on at school, reinforce what they are working on with their SLP, or just an extra resource to help build speech sounds. When looking to enhance your child’s speech therapy using online resources, we have located a few favorites that won’t take a bite out of your wallet.

Looking for Virtual Speech Therapy?

Speech Buddies Connect is the first online network for parents to find and book appointments with top-quality, certified & local speech professionals. You can filter your search to find Speech-Language Pathologist that offer virtual therapy in your state.

The Best Tools & Games for Speech Practice at Home

Speech Delay Book Bundle:  This Speech Delay Book Bundle encourages first words. Memorable songs and silly questions entice children to express themselves and help speech delay. These books are great for children ages 1 year to 6 years old and are perfect for any child learning to talk.

6 Favorite Online Speech Therapy Websites:

StoryPlace.org :  StoryPlace.org is a website that has a number of online stories and interactive activities for preschoolers and elementary-aged students. Each theme includes an online story, online activity, printable “take-home” activities and suggestions for parents. A booklist that corresponds to each theme is also offered.

FunwithSpot.com  is a cute website for preschoolers and young children. Children familiar with the Spot book series will love the fun language-based games. There are also parent and teacher resources.

FunBrain.com ;  This website offers a number of free online games for kids. Games touch upon a variety of topics, including vocabulary, grammar, reading, math and some that are just for fun! Check out Plural Girls, Grammar Gorillas or click on the reading tab for some great language activities.

Scholastic.com :  Scholastic.com’s Family Playground is a great website for preschool and school-age children and their parents. This website includes a variety of games and activities for children related to popular characters and children’s books such as Clifford, Magic School Bus, Walter Wick, and I Spy.

Articulation Games (by Tracy Gefroh Boyd) :  This is a great site where children plan a variety of games to practice r’s, s’s, l’s, sh’s and ch’s.

The Tongue Twister Database:  A fun collection of tongue twisters to practice speech sounds and giggle at the same time!

Tell us some of your favorites! We’d love to build our collection!

Looking to Put Your New Tablet to Use?

An important part of using online speech therapy tools is to interact with your child while he or she is online. The best online speech therapy sites are not intended to engage your child passively, (think staring at a video game on tv), rather they are to be used as a tool to engage your child and get his brain making connections. Making learning fun is also a crucial component to get your child engaged. Playing online speech therapy games should not feel like homework for your child, rather, a fun activity that you can do together. Here are a few of our favorites, what are some of yours?

Update: The Speech Buddies Team just added some boards to the FREE Bitsboard app !  It’s easy to download and play speech games today on your iPad or iPhone! Bitsboard is a revolutionary app that allows anyone (educators, education companies like Speech Buddies, and even parents) to customize fun, visually pleasing, and versatile games around a given theme.

We share belief that iPad/tablets in general will revolutionize children therapy. We created comprehensive tool for children with development or behavioral disorders, it’s called DrOmnibus.com Feel free to check it out, each of our games focus on one particular skill (also speech skills!). Right now it’s available on Android, but we aim to launch on iPads in June :)

Thanks for the tip Simon, we’re looking forward to checking it out.

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