Speech Games & Tips to Help with Speech Therapy
Updated: Aug 25
In this article we will discuss:
If you’re looking for ways to help your child with speech therapy at home, consider using the best games for speech therapy! Games can help with practicing specific skills, like learning to make different sounds or improving pronunciation. And they’re a great way to motivate kids to keep working on their speech. Here are the best games for speech therapy you and your child can start with.
Speech games for Articulation
Articulation is one of the areas that children can struggle with the most. Articulation is the ability to produce speech sounds accurately. When a child has difficulty with articulation, it can be hard for others to understand what they’re saying.
There are lots of great games that can help with articulation skills. Many of these games can be adapted to different sounds, so they can be used over and over again as your child practices different sounds. It is important to make it fun to motivate your child to practice a specific speech sound. If your child is having trouble making certain sounds, these speech games can help:
Speech Game #1: One-Minute Drill
This articulation game is done by saying as many words as possible that begin with a certain sound in one minute. For example, if you’re focusing on the /k/ sound, you might list words like “cat”, “cow”, and “cup”. You can make it more challenging by having players take turns saying words that end with the sound, or words that have the sound in the middle.
Speech Game #2: Blend and Segment Words
This articulation game helps with learning to blend smaller sounds to make a word and then break words apart into their separate sounds. To play, you’ll need a list of words that your child is working on. Say each word slowly, breaking it up into its separate sounds. Then have your child say the word. If they can do it correctly, they get a point. You can also play by saying a sentence with the target words and having your child repeat it back to you.
Learn how to make speech development fun with games
Speech Game #3: I Spy
I Spy is a classic articulation game that any number of people can play. One player starts by saying “I spy with my little eye something that starts with (letter)”. The other players then have to look around and guess what the object is. To make it more challenging, you can add in a second rule, like “I spy with my little eye something that starts with (letter) and is green”.
Speech Game #4: The Name Game
This articulation game is played by saying a person’s name and then a list of rhyming words. For example, if your child’s name is Anna, you might say “Anna, banana, manna from heaven, bandanna”. You can also play by saying a word and then having the next player say a word that rhymes with it.
Speech Game #5: What Time Is It, Mr. Wolf?
This game is played by having one player stand at one end of a room or playing area, and the other players stand at the other end. The player who is “it” calls out “What time is it, Mr. Wolf?” and the other players take one step closer. The player who is “it” then responds with a time, like “3 o’clock”. The players take that many steps toward the player who is “it”. Then the player who is “it” calls out another time. This continues until the player who is “it” decides to call out “Dinnertime!” at which point all of the players start running towards him or her. The player who is “it” then tries to tag as many players as possible before they all make it safely to the other side.
Board Games for Speech Development
Usually, board games are used during speech therapy to improve skills such as:
following directions
turn-taking
gaining attention
listening
Board games can be modified to meet the needs of the individual child. During speech therapy, the therapist will select a game that targets the specific skills the child is working on. The therapist may also modify the rules of the game to meet the needs of the individual child. Here are some board games for therapy:
Board Game for Speech Therapy #1: Snakes and Ladder
This is a classic board game that two or more players can play. The objective of the game is to reach the finish by rolls of the dice. Along the way, players can land on squares that will either help or hinder their progress.
Board Game for Speech Therapy #2: Candyland
This is a board game for younger children that can be played with two to four players. The objective of the game is to reach the finish by drawing cards and moving along the path. Along the way, players will encounter different obstacles, like getting stuck in molasses or going backwards.
Board Game for Speech Therapy #3: Chutes and Ladders
This is another classic board game that two or more players can play. The objective of the game is to reach the finish by climbing up ladders and sliding down chutes. Like Snakes and Ladders, there are also squares that will help or hinder players’ progress.
Board Game for Speech Therapy #4: The Game of Life
Six players can play this board game. The objective of the game is to simulate the different stages of life, from college to retirement. Players will make choices along the way that will affect their income, family, and career.
Board Game for Speech Therapy #5: The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game
First, you need to place a series of acorns around the board. Players take turns rolling a die and moving their squirrel token along the path. When they land on an acorn, they get to take it and put it in their squirrel’s stash. The first player to collect all of the acorns wins!
Board Game for Speech Therapy #5: Don’t Spill the Beans
First, you should pour a bag of beans into the center of the table. Players take turns rolling a die and moving their bean around the board. If they land on a space with another bean, they have to scoop it up and place it on top of their own bean. The first player to make it around the board without spilling their beans wins!
Board Game for Speech Therapy #6: Hoot Owl Hoot!
This game is played by placing a series of owls around the board. Players take turns moving their owl token along the path. When they land on an owl, they get to take it and put it in their nest. The first player to collect all of the owls wins!
Board Game for Speech Therapy #7: Hi Ho Cherry-O
This game is played by spinning the spinner and then picking that many cherries off of the tree. If you spin a “bird”, you have to put all of your cherries back. The first player to fill their basket with cherries wins!
Board Game for Speech Therapy #8: The Fishing Game
This game is played by placing a series of fish around the board. Players take turns rolling a die and moving their fishing pole around the board. When they land on a fish, they get to take it and put it in their bucket. The first player to collect all of the fish wins!
Board Game for Speech Therapy #9: Pop Up Pirate
This game is played by inserting the swords into the pirate’s body. Players take turns pulling out a sword. If the pirate pops up, that player is out! The last player standing is the winner!
These best games for speech therapy can work on a variety of speech and language skills. If you want to learn more about how to use these games in therapy, talk to your child’s speech therapist. At Better Speech, we offer online speech therapy services convenient for you and tailored to your child's individual needs. Our services are affordable and effective - get Better Speech now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of speech games actually help with therapy goals?
Games that target specific sounds, vocabulary, or language patterns work best. Think card games where players name pictures, board games requiring full sentences, or simple storytelling activities. The key is repetition wrapped in fun so your child practices target sounds or words dozens of times without realizing it. Even classic games like Go Fish can be adapted by adding a speech goal.
How often should we play speech games at home between therapy sessions?
Aim for short, consistent practice rather than long occasional sessions. Ten to fifteen minutes of speech-focused play, five days a week, can make a meaningful difference in your child's progress. Your speech-language pathologist can tell you which games or activities align with current therapy goals so home practice reinforces what is being worked on in sessions.
Can speech games replace actual speech therapy?
Speech games are a powerful supplement, but they are not a substitute for professional therapy. A licensed speech-language pathologist provides assessment, targeted treatment, and ongoing adjustments that games alone cannot offer. Better Speech connects families with licensed therapists online, accepting most insurance plans and offering appointments with no waitlists, so professional care stays accessible alongside your home practice.
What speech games work well for toddlers who are not very verbal yet?
For toddlers, focus on simple, interactive games that encourage imitation and turn-taking. Animal sound matching, blowing bubbles to practice mouth control, and peek-a-boo variations that prompt vocalizations are great starting points. Keep sessions under ten minutes and follow your child's lead. Celebrating any attempt to communicate, not just perfect words, builds confidence and motivation to keep trying.
How do I know if my child needs speech therapy or just more practice at home?
If your child is significantly behind age-based speech and language milestones, is difficult for others to understand, or shows frustration when communicating, a professional evaluation is worth pursuing. Home games and practice are helpful for any child, but a licensed speech-language pathologist can determine whether formal therapy is needed and design a targeted plan to address specific areas of concern.
About the Author
Aycen Zambuto
I’m a seasoned educator in speech therapy with over six years of experience helping people navigate challenges in communication. Throughout this time, I’ve found joy in guiding individuals through a variety of therapeutic journeys, from toddlers with apraxia to seniors with dysphonia.
I’m passionate about demystifying this complex world of speech therapy and helping readers around the globe achieve clear and effective communication. When I’m not writing about speech, you’ll often find me reading, traveling or spending time with friends and family.
