Now that the weather is warm, we want to encourage our kids to get outside, and we want to get out there with them. However, we also want to support the language and speech development they get from their therapy at Watch Me Shine. We offer speech and language therapy in Bangor, Maine, but it’s important for parents to support and continue the work we do at home. Spending time outside with your child is great for their physical health and a valuable opportunity to support their speech and language development. With a bit of creativity, many everyday outdoor activities can be turned into engaging, language-rich experiences.
Here are three fun and simple outdoor activities parents can do at home to promote speech and language skills.
Nature Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of items commonly found in nature around your yard or neighborhood, like a feather, a pinecone, a red leaf, or a flower. As your child searches for each item, encourage them to describe what they see using complete sentences. Ask open-ended questions: “What does it feel like?” “Where did you find it?” “What color is it?” Answering these questions builds vocabulary, sentence structure, and descriptive language. For younger children, naming objects and using simple phrases like “I found a rock” strengthens basic language skills.
Sidewalk Chalk Storytelling
Use sidewalk chalk to draw simple pictures together, such as a house, a cat, a tree, or a spaceship. Then, help your child create a story using the drawings as prompts. Take turns adding to the story: “Once upon a time, a cat climbed a tree…” This exercise encourages creativity, narrative skills, sequencing, and sentence formulation. If your child uses speech therapy techniques like slow speech or specific sounds, gently guide them to practice while having fun.
Water Play with Commands and Questions
Fill a bucket with water and add cups, spoons, or small toys. As you play, give your child simple directions to follow: “Pour water into the red cup,” or “Find the biggest spoon.” You can also ask questions like, “What happens if we pour faster?” or “Can you make a waterfall?” This back-and-forth helps with following directions, understanding spatial concepts, and using verbs and adjectives.
Speech & Language Therapy in Bangor, Maine | Watch Me Shine
These outdoor activities don’t require special tools or preparation, just a little time and attention. Our Watch Me Shine team in Bangor, Maine, provides excellent speech and language therapy services, but kids need ongoing support at home. By doing activities like these with your kids, you can supplement their learning and enjoy time outdoors.
