Alexis Irazoque, M.S., CCC-SLP
Traveling with kids is an adventure, but did you know it’s also a great time to boost their speech and language skills? Whether you’re heading to the beach, visiting family, or exploring a new city, speech therapy activities can fit right into your plans – no extra toys or packing required!
As speech-language pathologists, we know that everyday moments create the best learning opportunities. In this article, we share five fun, travel-themed speech therapy activities that will keep your child engaged, learning, and communicating, no matter where your vacation takes you.
Curious or concerned?
Our free screener is tailored by age and covers all areas of speech, language, and feeding. Find out if your child might need speech therapy.
Screener for children1. Talk about nature and new surroundings
Vacations often bring new surroundings filled with exciting sights and sounds, making them a perfect opportunity to build your child’s vocabulary. As you explore, point out and label the animals, plants, and objects you see, like birds, fish, turtles, palm trees, waterfalls, or skyscrapers.
You can also strategies like self-talk, where you narrate your own actions in a child-friendly way. Here’s an example: “I’m walking on the sand. Look at my feet! Sand is soft.” You can also try parallel talk, where you describe what your child is doing: “You found a shell. Look at the shell! It’s shiny.” These techniques naturally expose your child to language while keeping the experience fun and engaging.
2. Incorporate movement
Vacation is the perfect time to get active! Movement-based activities are not only fun but also great for language development. Here are some ideas:
Sing and move: Songs like “If You’re Happy and You Know It” can be adapted with new actions, such as “jump up and down” or “splash in the water.”
Games: Play hide-and-seek in the hotel room or Marco Polo in the pool. These activities can teach spatial concepts like “behind,” “under,” or “on top of.”
Red light, green light: Find a safe place for your child to run. Call out “Green light” to let them run and “Red light” to have them stop. This game encourages listening and following directions.
3. Withhold items for a moment
“Communication temptations” are a great way to encourage your child to communicate by creating opportunities for them to ask for help or express their needs. The idea is simple: offer your child something they want, but pause and wait to see if they’ll gesture, make a sound, or say a word to get it.
For example, during lunchtime, instead of automatically handing your child their plate, spoon, or drink, you could hold back one item and wait for them to indicate they need it. Other ideas include giving your child a cup with a lid they can’t open or a straw with the wrapper still on. Wait to see if they’ll express that they need help.
The key is to pause and give your child time to process and problem-solve. They might point to the item or make a sound. Over time, this process will motivate them to use words. By withholding items thoughtfully, you create natural, meaningful ways for your child to practice communicating.
4. Use what you have
No toys, no problem! Everyday items in a family member’s house or hotel room can become tools for play and learning:
Make music with pots, pans, and spoons.
Climb stairs together while counting each step.
Look at magazines or photo albums to teach new words like “grandma” or “uncle.”
Sit on the balcony or porch and talk about what you see.
Simple activities like these are fantastic for connecting with your child, building vocabulary, and making memories.
5. Follow your child’s lead
One of the best ways to encourage communication is to meet your child where they are. Pay attention to what interests them and join in their play. If your child picks up the hotel phone, pretend to call someone. This can help teach greetings and social skills. If they’re climbing on the bed, model words like “up” and “down” as they play.
By following your child’s lead, you show them that their interests are valued. Encourage their creativity, and don’t be afraid to act silly and have fun!
Why families love Expressable online speech therapy
These simple, engaging activities encourage communication without requiring extra materials. That way you can focus on making memories while supporting your child’s speech and language skills.
Communication development can happen anywhere (even on vacation)! However, one of the biggest challenges for families is finding time for speech therapy sessions, especially during busy seasons like the summer. That’s where Expressable comes in! Our online speech therapy model makes it easy to stay on track with your child’s progress, whether you’re at home, on the road, or visiting family.
With Expressable, therapy sessions happen in the comfort of your home (or wherever you have an internet connection). There’s no need to commute or rearrange your schedule, making it easier to stay consistent. Plus, our approach focuses on caregiver coaching, so you’ll learn strategies to add speech practice into daily routines, even while traveling. More practice leads to faster progress, and with our online learning portal, you’ll have access to expert tips, videos, and activities anytime you need them.
If your child is in speech therapy, don’t forget that many practices offer online therapy sessions, so you can stay connected no matter where you are. Expressable makes it easy to access expert guidance wherever you go, ensuring that your child stays on track while still enjoying summer fun.
Have questions about your child’s development? Schedule a free consultation call with one of our specialists to ask your questions and find out how Expressable can help.
Enjoy your trip, and happy communicating!
