Spring has Sprung 🌻 So Lets Go Outside to Practice Speech
Updated: Aug 25
In this article we will discuss:
It's a been a long winter just about everywhere and the speech language pathologists at Better Speech have had about enough of the cold weather. They've taken their laptops out to the backyard and are catching some rays. So by this time of the year, the speech therapists and their little clients are ready for some springtime speech therapy.
We've collected some of the best spring themed speech therapy activities to practice language, speech and many other goals. Wondering how to apply your toddler's speech therapy goals to these activities? Just contact the Better Speech team for a free consultation to find out.
Practice Being a Weather Forecaster
Ask your child if they have ever been outside on a sunny day, only to be caught in a rainstorm later that day? Weather forecasting helps us dress and be ready for different types of weather. You can talk to your child about why it is important to know what the weather will be later that day. You can also talk them about what it means to "forecast," which you can explain is a good guess about what will happen later.
Print out the pictures in the PDF and every morning, take your child to the window and talk about what you see. Is it sunny, rainy or cloudy?
For kids with a language delay, it is important to repeat vocabulary on a daily basis. So you can use the photos to talk about the same things every morning (and so repeat the vocabulary).
You can talk about:
sun, clouds, rain, wet, raincoat, boots, umbrella, sunglasses, rainbow
For kids that are practicing yes/no questions, you can ask questions like:
Do you see the sun?
Do we need our umbrella today?
Need help with speech therapy practice for your child?
For kids who need a prompt to say a word, you can ask:
Do you see the sun or the clouds?
Is it raining or cloudy?
For kids that are practicing answering Wh- questions, you can ask:
Do we need our boots today? Why?
Where are the clouds coming from?
What will happen if it rains?
When was the last time it snowed?
Go Outside for a Scavenger Hunt
The Better Speech SLPs like to send these scavenger hunt pages (download the PDF below) to their little clients and ask the parents to head outside to hunt for spring-related vocabulary words. They will search for butterflies, feathers, leaves and more. When they find something, ask them to cross out the item.
When they find an item you can talk about it (it's flying fast, it fell from the tree) , answer questions (what color is it, what sound does it make?), ask questions (let them ask you questions), make observations, and more. This activity is also a great way to get the kids moving and so can increase remembering what they are learning, especially for those kids that are more physical learners.
Read a Book About Life Cycles
"Female frogs lay eggs in the water, but what hatches isn't a frog yet—it's a tadpole! This classic Level 1 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out picture book shows the incredible metamorphosis that occurs as a tadpole loses its fishy tail and gills and becomes a frog."
There is nothing like talking about tadpoles in the spring and then going out to find some in the lake at the park.
Animal life cycles are a great way to use nonfiction books for speech therapy. Our Better Speech SLPs always read life cycle books during online sessions. Then they work on activities like sequencing the steps of a life-cycle, practice comprehension of facts, and work on retelling the story. For example, for kids who are not readers yet, after you've read them the book several times, let them flip through the book and try to tell you the story. If they need reminders, use the pictures to remind them. You can even use real objects like puppets and wind-up toys to increase engagement.
You don’t even have to have a plan st order to enjoy the springtime fun with the kids. Simply getting outside and moving around does everyone good. Kids learn best when parents model language to them. Talk about what you see and watch your child's eyes light up like the spring-time sun.
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 outdoor activities actually help with speech practice?
Nature walks, playground play, and gardening are all fantastic for speech practice. You can narrate what you see, name animals and plants, or describe textures like 'rough bark' and 'soft grass.' These real-world moments naturally build vocabulary, sentence structure, and conversational turn-taking in a low-pressure setting.
How long should we spend on outdoor speech practice each day?
Even 10 to 15 minutes of intentional outdoor conversation can make a meaningful difference over time. The goal is consistency, not marathon sessions. Short, playful bursts of speech practice woven into everyday outdoor routines tend to stick better than formal drills, especially for young children who learn best through movement and play.
Can outdoor practice really replace therapy sessions, or is it just a supplement?
Outdoor activities are a wonderful supplement, but they work best alongside structured therapy from a licensed speech-language pathologist. A therapist sets specific goals and tracks progress in ways that casual play cannot. Better Speech offers licensed, insurance-ready care with no waitlists, so professional support is easy to access alongside your outdoor practice routine.
What if my child gets distracted outside and refuses to practice?
That is completely normal and actually an opportunity. Follow your child's lead by talking about whatever catches their attention, a butterfly, a puddle, or a passing dog. Embedded speech targets into their natural interests feels more like play than work. If engagement stays low consistently, a speech therapist can suggest specific strategies tailored to your child's personality.
How do I know which speech sounds or words to focus on during outdoor activities?
Your child's speech-language pathologist is the best guide for selecting target sounds and vocabulary. If you are not yet working with a therapist, a good starting point is practicing words connected to what your child sees and touches outside, since context boosts retention. Spring settings naturally introduce seasonal words like 'blossom,' 'chirp,' and 'muddy,' which are great for building descriptive language.
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.
