20 Summer Language Activities To Try At Home

If you have a child with language delays or disorders then it’s very important to continue to work on language skills in the summer when you’re child is out of school. Whether your child is already on summer break or will be starting it shortly, please keep this list of activities in mind. You don’t want to see your child make regressions with his language skills during this long break. Although it is important to relax during the summer, please make sure to try out some of these activities to continue improving your child’s language skills. Continue reading for an outstanding list of 20 summer language activities to try over the break.

20 Summer Language Activities

1. Blow bubbles. Have your child request for the bubbles. Ask him questions about the bubbles such as, Do you want big bubbles or small bubbles?. Take turns with the bubbles.

2. Play with sidewalk chalk. Get outside and get creative. Have your child request for the different colors of chalk. Give your child directions of things to draw to practice following directions.

3. Go to the park. Check out this article to learn 10 ways to work on language skills at the park including ways to practice following directions, turn taking, and recalling events.

4. Read a book. Summer is a great time to read books together. Talk about the pictures on each page together and ask your child questions throughout the book.

5. Play with reusable stickers. Reusable stickers are great to work on following directions and learning new vocabulary.

6. Create an obstacle course outside. Set up an obstacle course with your child outside. You can start with a simple 3-step course such as, 1) Run to a cone, 2) Jump over a hula hoop, 3) Do a somersault. Talk about each step with your child and then see if he can recall the events after completing the course.

7. Play with a ball. Grab a ball and go outside. Have your child request if he wants to throw the ball, roll the ball, or bounce the ball. This activity is also great for turn-taking.

8. Draw a picture. Get some crayons and paper and have your child draw a picture of his choosing. Have your child request for the crayons he wants. You can even give your child directions of what to draw to practice following directions.

9. Play a barrier game. Learn how to set up a barrier game to play with your child. This activity is simple and fun. You can work on expanding your child’s sentence length and following directions.

10. Play a board game. On a rainy day in the summer, this is a great activity. Board games are wonderful for learning how to take turns and follow directions.

11. Make a picture with dot markers. Dot markers are a great mess-free activity to do with your child. Your child will be motivated to request for each marker to create an awesome picture.

12. Play with playdough. Have fun with your child while rolling, pushing, and squeezing the dough. Your child can request for the different cutters and the dough during the activity.

13. Take a walk. Enjoy the outdoors together and take a walk around your neighborhood or in a park. Take turns with your child talking about what you see on the walk (Ex. “I see a big tree” or “I see a red car”).

14. Plant flowers. This activity is hands-on and is great to learn about sequencing. Talk with your child about the steps it takes to plant a flower and how to make it grow.

15. Play with Mr. Potato Head. Use this classic toy to work on learning about body part vocabulary. After putting together Mr. Potato Head, you can then have him perform different actions such as jumping, running, or sleeping. 

16. Have a picnic. Have your child help plan the menu for the picnic. Have your child help pack the food for the picnic.

17. Sing songs. The songs in this article are great for their repetitive nature. Your child will be able to easily sing along or fill in missing parts of the song while you’re singing to him.

18. Create a mystery box. Mystery boxes are great since you can put inside anything you’d like. The surprise element of your child pulling out each object will help encourage language.

19. Go to the movies. After the movie ask your child questions about the plot and characters. See if your child can sequence together the beginning, middle, and end of the film. AMC theaters offer sensory friendly films that are catered towards children with Autism.

20. Cook together. Cooking with your child provides many opportunities to work on language skills. Your child can help decide what to make and then be part of purchasing the ingredients. Cooking will help your child understand how to follow directions as well.

Have a safe, fun, and relaxing summer!