Saying sounds in words – game ideas

Your child is now ready to practice saying their target sounds in words. Here are some ideas for games and activities you can play while working with your child at home. Your speech and language therapist will provide you with the picture cards.

Games involving toys

• Choose a toy that your child enjoys playing with. Cut up and make a pile of picture cards.
• Each player should pick up a picture card and say the name of the picture.
• Reward the child with a turn on the game.
• Suitable games include Monkey Business, Pop-up Pirate, Kerrplunk, Crocodile Dentist, Connect 4, Jenga, Marble Run

Board Games

• Choose a board game that your child enjoys playing. Cut up and make a pile of picture cards.
• Put the picture cards in a pile face down
• On each turn, each player should pick up a card and say the name of the picture
• Suitable games include Ludo, Frustration, Snakes and Ladders, Dominoes

Pairs Games

You will need two sets of picture cards.

1. Memory Match

• Shuffle the picture cards and place them face down on the table
• Take it in turns to pick up two cards and name the pictures
• If the pictures are the same, the player gets to keep them and have another go

2. Bingo

• Make one set of picture cards into two bingo boards (one for you and one for your child). Shuffle the other set of picture cards.
• Take it in turns to pick up a card, name the picture
• Match the pictures to the bingo board
• The first person to collect all the pictures on their bingo board is the winner

3. Snap

• Deal out the picture cards.
• Take it in turns to flip over a card and name the picture.
• Players call out ‘snap’ when two pictures match. The fastest player to shout ‘snap’ collects the pile of cards.
• Play begins again.

Other Games

4. Treasure Hunt

• Hide the picture cards around the room
• Each player says the name of the picture as they find them

5. Stepping Stones

• Place the picture cards face up on the floor to make a path
• Each player says the name of the picture as they step on each ‘stone’ on the path

6. Find the Spider

• Draw a little spider. (This game could also be played by drawing a star)
•  Place the picture cards face up on the table.
• Player A to close their eyes. Player B to hide the spider under one of the cards.
• Player A to choose a card and name the picture. Turn the picture over.
• Keep going until you find the spider!
• Now swap over and play again.

7. Guess What

• Take turns to choose a picture card from the pile.
• Take turns to give the other player clues until they can guess what the picture is.

Top tips

• Write down the target sound(s) on a piece of paper. This will provide a visual reminder for your child about the sound(s) they are working on.
• Give your child lots of praise when they use their target sound. For example, ‘well done, I heard a brilliant ‘s’ sound’ when you said ‘sock”.
• Make it fun! Try and practice little and often. 2-3 times a week for 10 minutes is better than once a week for a longer session.