Halloween candy is more than just a sugar treat. It can also be a powerful and engaging tool for speech therapy! After the excitement of trick-or-treating, kids often come to sessions buzzing with energy and candy-filled bags. Rather than fight the distraction, why not use it to your advantage?
Here are a few creative ways to incorporate Halloween candy into speech therapy activities that are both fun and productive.
Articulation Practice
Choose a few candy wrappers or types of candy with target sounds in their names (e.g., Skittles for /s/, KitKat for /k/). Have students say the word 5 to 10 times before letting them take the candy. You can also create silly sentences or stories using those candy names to get even more practice in.
Descriptive Language and Categories
Have students sort candy by type, size, color, or texture and describe their choices. For example, “This is a small, round, chewy candy that is red.” Encourage use of descriptive vocabulary, comparison words (e.g., bigger, sweeter), and category labels (e.g., chocolate, fruity, sour). Let students invent their own categories to encourage creativity and practice making connections.
Following Directions
Set up a simple obstacle course or scavenger hunt with candy as the reward. Use multi-step directions, such as “Pick up the Twix, touch the chair, then put the M&Ms in the basket.” These games help students practice listening and sequencing.
Social Skills and Turn-Taking
Use candy in board games or conversation games. Kids take turns picking a piece of candy and answering a related question. For example, “Pick a chocolate candy and tell me your favorite Halloween memory.” This helps with turn-taking, asking and answering questions, and making connections.
Reinforcement and Motivation
Sometimes, just having a piece of candy as a reward after a set of speech tasks can boost motivation. Keep it structured—one candy per successful round of practice—and let students “earn” their treat.
Speech Therapy in Bangor, Maine | Watch Me Shine
By turning Halloween candy into a speech therapy tool, you’re tapping into what kids already love, making therapy more engaging, effective, and a little bit sweeter! If using candy at school or in sessions isn’t an option, share these ideas with parents so they can support the work you’re doing at home.
