Fun and Relaxing Speech Therapy Activities for the Christmas Holidays

The Christmas holidays are a perfect time to slow down, have fun, and try new things with your child. For families working on speech therapy goals, it can also be an opportunity to incorporate language and communication practice in relaxed and playful ways.

This holiday season, let’s keep things low-pressure and focus on connection, creativity, and fun. Here are some ideas to inspire you.

1. Holiday Baking with a Twist

Get into the festive spirit by baking Christmas treats together. As you measure, mix, and decorate, talk about:

• Sequencing: What comes first, next, and last?

• Describing: Use adjectives to talk about shapes, colours, and textures.

• Following Instructions: Ask your child to follow simple or multi-step directions, such as “Pour the sugar into the bowl, then stir it gently.”

Make it extra fun by creating a new recipe or decorating cookies in silly, unexpected ways - like making a purple Santa or star-shaped reindeer!

2. Christmas Treasure Hunts

Hide small festive items like ornaments, candy canes, or little notes with clues around the house. Use the hunt to practice:

• Following Clues: Use words like "under," "next to," or "behind" to work on spatial concepts.

• Expanding Sentences: Encourage your child to describe what they find, e.g., "I found a shiny gold star under the couch!"

3. Festive Storytime

Settle down with your favourite holiday books. Use this time to:

• Predict: Pause and ask, “What do you think will happen next?”

• Act It Out: Role-play parts of the story to make it interactive.

• New Endings: Change the ending of the story together - what if the Grinch decided to throw a Christmas party?

Storytime is also a wonderful way to relax and wind down at the end of the day.

4. Outdoor Adventures

Make the most of Australia’s summer weather by heading outdoors:

• Go for a nature walk and describe what you see, hear, and feel.

• Play a game of "I Spy" using holiday-themed items like red flowers or shiny decorations.

• Build a sandcastle at the beach and talk about the shapes and designs you’re creating.

Being in nature can be refreshing for the whole family, and it provides plenty of spontaneous opportunities for language practice.

5. Create Your Own Traditions

Try something entirely new as a family. Maybe it’s making a DIY advent calendar with different activities each day or designing funny Christmas hats together. Novel experiences give your child a chance to hear and learn new vocabulary, express themselves, and ask questions.

A Time to Rest and Recharge

While these activities can spark creativity and encourage communication, remember that it’s also okay to take a break. Rest and connection are essential for the whole family. Simply spending time together - talking, laughing, and being present - helps build your child’s communication skills in natural ways.

As we approach the new year, let’s celebrate the progress your child has made and look forward to all the possibilities ahead. Wishing you a joyful, relaxing Christmas season!

Remember to be kind and share joy!

-            Allanah (speech therapist)