Holiday Gifts that Boost Language Development

Looking for fun ways to encourage your child’s development? These interactive games and activities are perfect for fostering language, motor skills, and critical thinking while keeping kids entertained.

Mr. Potato Head

The Potato Head Family is a fantastic tool for teaching body parts and encouraging speech development. For younger children who are not yet talking, label each piece as you play, or ask them to hand you a specific part, like the eyes. As their vocabulary grows, encourage them to use words to request the parts they want. This activity blends fun with foundational language learning.

Eye-Spy

Eye-Spy is more than just a classic game—it’s a wonderful way to teach joint attention, the ability to follow another’s gaze. For younger children, keep it simple and clear: “I spy something that barks!” or “I spy something red!” (with only one red item visible). As your child’s skills develop, make the game more challenging. Eye-Spy is perfect for passing time in traffic or making walks more interactive.

What’s Wrong with This Picture?

Books like “What’s Wrong with This Picture?” provide opportunities for children to practice labeling with complete sentences. Silly scenarios like “The cow is driving” or “The tree is blowing bubbles” encourage creative thinking and language development. This activity is both educational and entertaining, making it a hit with kids of all ages.

Hullabaloo by Cranium

For rainy days or moments when kids have extra energy to burn, Hullabaloo is a lifesaver. Spread colorful, shape-filled pads across the floor, then let the interactive speaker guide the fun: “Hop to an animal!” or “Spin to a square!” At the end, the game announces a winning spot. Suitable for kids as young as two (with modifications) and as old as nine or ten, Hullabaloo combines movement with listening skills and critical thinking.

Headbanz

Encourage your child’s ability to ask and answer “Wh” questions with Headbanz or a similar guessing game. Players wear a card with an image on their head and try to guess what it is by asking questions. Let the child lead with questions like “Is it an animal?” or “Where would I find it?” On your turn, model “Wh” questions to guide their learning. To make it easier for beginners, select cards featuring familiar objects or create a visual list of possible answers to refer to if they get stuck.

These activities not only engage children in fun, playful ways but also encourage critical developmental skills—from language and problem-solving to motor coordination and social interaction.

For more ideas about building language through play, check out our free webinar titled “Facilitating Language” on our website, here.

Happy playing!