Camping Themed Speech Therapy Activities

I enjoy using themes in my speech sessions because it helps streamline therapy planning. A camping theme is a fun one (and great for a summer theme) because of all the speech-language concepts you can target!

Camping Themed Speech-Language Targets

1. Camping vocabulary – Identify and name different camping gear, outdoor activities, things you might eat camping, or animals you may see. Discuss various actions and adjectives associated with them. Compare and contrast with tables or Venn diagrams to help build vocabulary.
2. Descriptive language – Use sensory details (What do you see, hear, smell at a campsite?) Describe a s’more or the process of setting up a tent.
3. Prepositions – Work on spatial concepts! Describe where camping items are in relation to each other or to other objects.
4. Wh-questions – Use camping-themed Wh-questions to practice comprehension and expression skills.
5. Following Directions – Give the child multi-step instructions such as “Pack your backpack with 3 things you’d take camping.” or “Before you go on the hike, zip your sleeping bag and grab a lantern.”
6. Sequencing – Discuss the steps and put them in order: steps to make a s’more, how to set up a tent, or how to build a campfire.
7. Categorization – Sort and categorize camping gear or items based on size, purpose, or color.
8. Storytelling – Create a story together about a camping trip or a story. Use camping-themed picture books, such as A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee or Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping. Practice retelling the story using beginning, middle, and end concepts.
9. Articulation practice – Identify specific speech sounds to work on (e.g., /k/ in “cooler,” /s/ blends in “stick”). Have the child practice their target sounds while playing with camping toys or reading a camping-themed book.
10. Conversation skills – Use conversation prompts to practice generalizing articulation sounds and practicing fluent speech. For example, role-play: Asking for help to set up a tent. Problem-solving: What would you do if it rains while camping? Perspective-taking: How might someone feel if they forgot their flashlight?

Camping Themed Wh Questions

Camping Themed Books

Here is a list of camping, hiking, fishing, and nature themed books to incorporate into your speech therapy sessions:

1. “I Hear Nature” by Clay Hadden
   An  interactive flip book written by an SLP that engages toddlers and babies as it helps develop important early language skills. Ages 1-5.
2. “Let’s Go on a Hike!” by Katrina Liu
   A rhyming story with great illustrations. Pair with binoculars to target outdoor vocabulary, sequencing, WH questions, and narrative skills in speech therapy. Ages 2-5.
3. “Llama Llama Loves Camping” by Anna Dewdney
   This book is ideal for developing sequencing, camping vocabulary, and social communication skills, such as flexibility and teamwork. Ages 2-5.
4. “A Bad Day Fishing” by Paige Hulsey
   This book supports speech therapy goals like perspective-taking, emotional vocabulary, and retelling events in sequence. Ages 2-6.
5. “Curious George Goes Camping” by Margret and H.A. Rey
   A fan favorite – This book talks about problem-solving and safety. Target cause and effect, story retell, and inferencing. Ages 2-5.
6. “Fred and Ted Go Camping” by Peter Eastman
   Engaging text with simple sentences for emergent readers. You can compare/contrast, discuss opposites, and make inferences from the pictures. Ages 2-7.
7. “A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee” by Chris Van Dusen
   Great for describing funny situations and inferencing emotions. Targets rhyming, sequencing, problem/solution, and rich vocabulary. Ages 3-6.
8. “Pete the Cat Goes Camping” by James Dean
   This book supports targets such as outdoor vocabulary, inferencing, and discussing feelings, including bravery and curiosity. Ages 3-6.
9. “Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping” by Mélanie Watt
   Great for flexible thinking and addressing fears or routines. Targets perspective-taking, social-emotional learning, and problem-solving. Ages 4-7.
10. “Bailey Goes Camping” by Kevin Henkes
    A story about a bunny who feels left out when his older siblings go camping—until he gets to have his own pretend campout at home. Target pretend play, problem-solving, and emotional vocabulary in speech therapy.Ages 4-8.

Camping Themed Activity Ideas

Camping Themed Language Scene – Use this busy picture scene for construction themed speech therapy – target many language goals with this no prep activity. Includes wh questions, pre-made 1-3 step directions, conversation prompts, verbs, prepositions, basic concepts, categories, and more!

Camping Themed Barrier Game – Camping themed digital barrier game for speech therapy, ESL, and more! Interactive, no print BOOM card decks that are self-checking and target many language goals. Use in teletherapy or in face-to-face therapy!

Camping Themed Clipart – Create your own camping clipart scene! This versatile set of outdoors images allows you to create precisely what you need! Use for a camping or summer theme, story settings, vocabulary, basic concepts, prepositions, and more!

Camping Themed Toys

Melissa & Doug Let’s Explore™ Campfire S’Mores
Melissa & Doug Let’s Explore™ Hiking Play Set

Utilize these open-ended play sets to elicit various speech and language goals through interactive play. You can name and describe objects, follow directions, sequence, or build narratives.

Super Duper Verbs Photo Fish

I have gotten a lot of use out of this toy – not only for verbs, but also for pronouns and sentence formulation. It comes with magnetic fish with real pictures of children doing various actions.

Play-Doh Campfire Creations Kit

A creative toy building set with everything to build, decorate a camping tent, canoe, fire, and more. Target describing (textures, colors), following steps, imaginative play, and requesting.

Do you have any fun camping themed activities you use in speech therapy? Comment below!

You might be interested in reading:
Speech Therapy Themes by Month

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