The Floor is Lava
This classic childhood game not only adds an element of fun but also provides a dynamic platform for speech practice. The premise of ‘the Floor is Lava’ game involves imagining that the floor is hazardous, and players must navigate the room by avoiding touching the ground. When combined with articulation therapy, we transform the ‘safe islands’ as designated spots where children can stand while practicing specific speech sounds or words. For instance, saying a target word correctly might allow the individual to safely jump from one island to another.
This game is great for active kids as it encourages active participation but also incorporates movement, making it a multisensory experience. The game facilitates repetition and practice in a light-hearted manner, positively reinforcing correct articulation patterns.
To set up the game, you will need some items that can serve as safe landing spots for your child, such as couch cushions, rugs, mats, cardboard boxes, or chairs. Arrange them around the room in a way that creates some gaps and distances between them. You can also use tape or chalk to mark some areas on the floor as safe zones or hot spots. Make sure there is enough space for your child to move around and jump safely. You can make this game more fun and challenging by adding obstacles, timers, or rules.
Instructions:
- Start by putting the printed words cards on each of the islands.
- Then stand on a safe spot with your child and say “The floor is lava!” together.
- Jump to a new ‘safe island’ and pick up the word.
- Say the word and have your child repeat it after you, making sure they pronounce the sound correctly.
- Then, choose the next ‘safe island’, say “Let’s go to [name of the spot]!” For example, “Let’s go to the blue rug!” or “Let’s go to the chair!” and then repeat saying the new words on this ‘safe island’.
Parent Warning: It’s a great game for busy bodies BUT you will get less repetitions with this game.
Overview:
This classic childhood game not only adds an element of fun but also provides a dynamic platform for speech practice.
The premise of ‘the Floor is Lava’ game involves imagining that the floor is hazardous, and players must navigate the room by avoiding touching the ground. When combined with articulation therapy, we transform the ‘safe islands’ as designated spots where children can stand while practicing specific speech sounds or words. For instance, saying a target word correctly might allow the individual to safely jump from one island to another.
This game is great for active kids as it encourages active participation but also incorporates movement, making it a multisensory experience. The game facilitates repetition and practice in a light-hearted manner, positively reinforcing correct articulation patterns.
To set up the game, you will need some items that can serve as safe landing spots for your child, such as couch cushions, rugs, mats, cardboard boxes, or chairs. Arrange them around the room in a way that creates some gaps and distances between them. You can also use tape or chalk to mark some areas on the floor as safe zones or hot spots. Make sure there is enough space for your child to move around and jump safely. You can make this game more fun and challenging by adding obstacles, timers, or rules.
Parent Warning: It’s a great game for busy bodies BUT you will get less repetitions with this game.
Instructions:
- Start by putting the printed words cards on each of the islands.
Then stand on a safe spot with your child and say “The floor is lava!” together. - Jump to a new ‘safe island’ and pick up the word.
- Say the word and have your child repeat it after you, making sure they pronounce the sound correctly.
- Then, choose the next ‘safe island’, say “Let’s go to [name of the spot]!” For example, “Let’s go to the blue rug!” or “Let’s go to the chair!”.
- Then repeat saying the new words on this ‘safe island’.
Doing articulation therapy activities at home between in clinic sessions is critical to ensuring long term success.
However, it’s hard for parents, if not given specific instructions, to find the right therapy activities to do at home. Let’s get real though… Speech therapy for articulation is BO-RING! Having a variety of activities as well as a strong word bank, helps keeps things fresh and interesting for everyone. To keep motivation and consistency, this means articulation activities need to be FUN!
After doing hours of research for my own daughter, and validating these activities with her speech therapist, below is my top list of articulation therapy games.
To practice the articulation drills, you will need a list of words or sentences that target your child’s speech sound. You can use flashcards, a word generator app, or a printed sheet.
Parent Pro Tip: If you can get away with doing articulation drills without the games below, do it! It’s much faster and you can get many more repetitions within the same time. That’s not always possible this is why I maintain a list of games to play if that day’s focus is not great.
Word Bingo
Create bingo cards with pictures or words representing target sounds. Call out words, and the child covers the corresponding pictures or words on their card. It’s a playful way to reinforce correct articulation while enjoying a classic game.
Articulation Tic-Tac-Toe
Draw a tic-tac-toe grid and fill it with pictures or words featuring the target sounds. Players take turns saying the word they choose before placing their X or O. It combines strategy with speech practice, making it both educational and entertaining.
If your child, like mine, doesn’t listen to you when playing games, you can also try digital games
Pair Matching Articulation Game
Pair matching has become one of our go-to activities.
Hide the image of your child’s flashcard Use printed flashcards with your child’s target.
HiThe goal is to match pairs of the same word laid out on the table, turning it into a playful memory game. Every correct match feels like a little victory, reinforcing the correct pronunciation. It’s simple but very effective way to promote sound repetition. Plus, for my child, the competitive aspect of trying to beat me in finding the most pairs adds an extra layer of excitement to our sessions. Weirdly enough… she mostly wins! How odd?
Keeping a kid’s attention on doing repetitive articulation therapy is difficult, digital games are a fun and engaging way to do the repetitive therapy required to improve articulation
Speech Jenga
Who knew that this classic game could turn our speech practice into a tower of fun and progress?
Each Jenga block is labelled with a word containing the target sound. As my child pulls out delicately a block, they say the word on the block. It’s combining a game of skill with a speech challenge! The tower adds an extra element of suspense and anticipation.
an extra layer of anticipation and suspense. Will it stay standing, or will it tumble down? Playing in this way feels more natural and enjoyable!
You can also make it a bit of a competition – who can pull out the most blocks without causing the tower to fall? It can add, for older children, a friendly rivalry that motivates them to keep going, saying those words over and over without even realizing they’re doing speech ‘homework’.
‘Jenga’ game is available to buy in most online retailer stores.
Pop-Up Pirate Articulation Game
‘Pop Up Pirate’ is a staple game in speech therapy and is an absolute gem in making speech practice feel like playtime.
‘Pop Up Pirate’ turns sessions into a thrilling and unexpected adventure. The game’s unpredictability and suspense keep my child engaged and eager to practice, turning what used to be a routine into a laugh-filled experience. Having your child select themselves swords adds an element of choice and autonomy, making the therapy process feel more like a game and less like a lesson.
Instructions:
- Put the flash cards each under a sword and secure the pirate in his barrel.
- Instruct your child to select a pair.
- Pronounce the word on the flash card under the sword and have your child imitate you.
- When your child pronounces well the word, you congratulate them and have them insert the sword into the barrel to see if the pirates unexpectedly pop!
- If the pirate pops during the game, remove all swords and reset the pirate to finish all the target words.
- Rinse and repeat until you have gone through all the words.
‘Pop Up Pirate’ game is available to buy in most online retailer stores.
