Take Speech Therapy Outside This Spring: Fresh Air & Fresh Goals!
Hey SLP friends! đđŒ
Letâs be realâat this point, we are all ready to be outside as much as possible! It's summer, the sun is shining, and you might be taking summer clients that want to be outside just as much as you do. Instead of feeling stuck inside drilling vocalic /r/ in a windowless closet, why not take therapy outside?
And no, fresh air doesnât have to equal chaos in your sessions. Contrary to popular belief, your students can stay focused while soaking up that sunshine. In fact, a change of scenery might be exactly what they need to stay engaged and motivatedâand the best part? You can still target all your speech and language goals in fun, natural ways.
So grab your clipboard, some sidewalk chalk, and maybe a few bubblesâitâs time to take therapy outdoors! Here are some of my favorite spring-themed speech therapy activities that are perfect for the great outdoors đđŒ
đž 1. The Sound Trail
This is one of my favorite low-prep ways to work on articulation while getting those bodies moving. Use sidewalk chalk to create a winding trail or a hopscotch board. Inside each space, write a word with your studentâs target sound.
As they hop, step, or tiptoe to each square, they say the word out loud. Itâs movement-based, multisensory, and perfect for kids who need a little wiggle room during sessions.
đŻ Target skills: articulation, phonological awareness, gross motor coordination
đ 2. Find and Tell
This oneâs perfect for targeting expressive language and descriptive vocabulary. As you walk around the schoolyard or park, ask students to find objects that match a category or descriptionââFind something smooth,â âFind something that is red,â or âFind a rock shaped like a heart.â
Once theyâve found it, prompt them to describe it in full sentences:
âItâs a small, smooth stone thatâs kind of sparkly.â
Boomâtargeting adjectives, sentence structure, and critical thinking, all without a single flashcard.
đŻ Target skills: descriptive language, sentence formulation, categories
đȘ” 3. Pretend Play with Nature
Letâs get a little imaginative. Collect natural materials like sticks, rocks, leaves, and flowers. Use them to set up a pretend play sceneâmaybe youâre cooking soup over a pretend campfire or building a tiny fairy house in the grass.
Have your students narrate what theyâre doing as they play:
âIâm stirring the soup with this big stick,â or âThe fairy is sleeping on a soft leaf.â
Itâs a creative and low-pressure way to get kids using verbs and adjectives in context.
đŻ Target skills: imaginative language, verbs, adjectives, sequencing
đ«§ 4. Bubble Pop Sentences
Who doesnât love bubbles? Bring a small bottle outside and blow some magic into your session. As kids chase and pop bubbles, they can practice target sounds, say phrases, or build short sentences.
Try prompts like:
âI popped a big bubble!â
âThe bubble went up!â
âBlue bubble pop!â
This one is especially fun for younger students or early language learners. And hey, letâs be honestâitâs kind of fun for us too.
đŻ Target skills: articulation, sentence structure, early language
đ 5. Nature Sound Match
This is a great activity for students working on specific sounds. Go on a little nature walk and collect various itemsâleaves, sticks, acorns, feathers, flowers. Then, ask your student to name the item and come up with another word that starts with the same sound.
Example:
Leaf â âLemonâ
Stick â âSnakeâ
Flower â âFishâ
You can turn this into a game, a challenge, or even a simple sorting activity depending on your studentâs level.
đŻ Target skills: articulation, phonemic awareness, vocabulary building
Why Outdoor Speech Therapy Works âïž
Outdoor activities naturally encourage movement, imagination, and curiosityâwhich makes them a great match for speech therapy. Plus, sessions that feel more like play often reduce anxiety and increase participation. Itâs a win-win!
So donât feel stuck inside this spring. Taking your sessions outdoors doesnât mean losing structureâit just means refreshing your approach. Whether youâre working on articulation, expressive language, or following directions, these outdoor speech therapy ideas can help you hit your goals and get some vitamin D.
Final Tip: Donât forget to bring clipboards, a portable mirror (if working on articulation), and maybe even a small blanket to sit on. A little prep goes a long way to making outdoor therapy successful and stress-free.
Now go enjoy that sunshineâyouâve earned it! đ
Happy speeching!
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