Spook-tacular Speech Therapy Activities for October
October brings cooler weather, festive decorations, and fun-filled Halloween traditions. For children engaging in speech therapy, the season also presents creative opportunities to weave in themed activities that build on language and communication skills. At Speech & Beyond Pediatric Therapy in Jenks, OK, we believe therapy can be both effective and enjoyable. That’s why we’re sharing a list of Halloween-inspired activities that can help your child stay engaged and motivated while working on their speech goals—right from the comfort of your own home!
Why Themed Activities Matter in Speech Therapy
Themed activities, like those centered around Halloween, naturally capture a child’s interest. They transform therapy from structured practice into playful, immersive experiences. When children are excited, they’re more likely to participate and learn, making it easier to achieve speech and language development milestones. Halloween-themed activities introduce seasonal vocabulary, promote creative thinking, and encourage the use of descriptive language—all essential for building communication skills.
Below, you’ll find some fun and easy ways to incorporate speech therapy into your October festivities.
Ghostly Word Games
Pumpkin Pick Word Search
Create or purchase foam pumpkin cutouts and write Halloween-related words on each one (e.g., bat, spooky, witch, candy). Scatter the pumpkins around the house and tell your child they need to “find the pumpkins.” Once they locate one, encourage them to say the word aloud or use it in a sentence. You can also choose words that help with specific sounds they’re working on, like initial “s” or final “t” sounds.
Speech Skill Focus: Articulation, vocabulary building, and use of complete sentences.
Boo-tiful Bingo
Make a Halloween-themed bingo board featuring different categories such as costumes, animals, and spooky sounds (e.g., howl, shriek, crunch). Call out the words for your child, and have them repeat each one before marking their Bingo card. If they win, they get a Halloween treat, like a sticker or a snack!
Speech Skill Focus: Listening skills and articulation practice of themed words.
Spooky Storytelling
Build-A-Tale Halloween Edition
Storytelling can be a powerful tool in developing language and creative thinking. For this game, gather a set of Halloween props—such as a mini plastic cauldron, a pretend broomstick, a toy black cat, and a fake spider. Place the items in a "magic bag" and ask your child to pull one out at a time. Each item they draw becomes part of a collaborative Halloween story, starting with prompts like, “One dark and stormy night…”
Speech Skill Focus: Sentence structure, sequencing, and creativity.
Monster Dialogue Practice
Print or draw pictures of different monsters, like vampires, ghosts, or werewolves. Assign each monster a personality or a silly voice, and practice conversations with your child. For example, you can role-play asking a ghost what they like to eat for snacks. This back-and-forth helps build conversational skills while keeping the mood light and fun.
Speech Skill Focus: Social skills, turn-taking, and expressive language.
Halloween Sensory Adventures
Witch’s Brew Descriptive Fun
Create a “witch’s brew” sensory bin with items like cooked spaghetti (worms), peeled grapes (eyeballs), or pom-poms (bubbles). Invite your child to describe how each item feels, smells, or even sounds (e.g., squishy, slippery, plop). If they struggle with words, model some examples and encourage them to repeat.
For older kids, challenge them to combine multiple descriptive words into full sentences, like “The eyeballs are gooey and cold.”
Speech Skill Focus: Descriptive vocabulary and sentence building.
Candy Sorting and Categorizing
After trick-or-treating (or using some candy from the store), have your child sort candies into categories—by color, type (chocolates, gummies), or size. You can turn it into a game by asking questions like, “Which pile has the most candy?” or “Can you find all the orange candies?” Reinforce answering in full sentences and practicing comparative words like bigger, more, or fewer.
Speech Skill Focus: Categorization, descriptive vocabulary, and comparing/contrasting.
Tips to Make Therapy-Focused Activities Enjoyable at Home
Keep Instructions Simple
Halloween-themed therapy activities should be fun, not overwhelming. Guide your child in clear, easy-to-understand steps, and keep the atmosphere lighthearted. If they seem frustrated, take a break or simplify the task.
Offer Positive Reinforcement
Celebrate your child’s effort, not just their success. Saying, “Great job finding a spooky word!” encourages participation and boosts confidence.
Use Themes They Love
If witches or monsters aren’t your child’s favorite, try focusing on their interests. For instance, substitute Halloween terms with superheroes, dinosaurs, or any other topic they’re passionate about.
Adapt to Their Goals
Work with your speech therapist to identify specific goals your child is focusing on and tailor activities accordingly. For instance, if your child is working on articulation, choose words with their target sounds.
Join in the Fun
Children love it when parents actively participate. Be sure to play along, whether you’re acting like a monster, telling a Halloween tale, or exploring a sensory bin.
Schedule an Appointment Today!
Halloween isn’t just about costumes and candy—it’s also a fantastic opportunity to sneak in some speech therapy disguised as fun! Incorporating these seasonal ideas into your daily routine encourages your child to practice speech and language skills in joyful, interactive ways.
Remember, progress comes from a combination of consistency and creativity. If you’re looking for more personalized tips, feel free to reach out to our team at Speech & Beyond Pediatric Therapy in Jenks, OK. Together, we’ll make speech therapy an adventure your child can look forward to all month long!