15 Fun Activities for Following Directions Speech Therapy

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Why Following Directions is a Superpower
3. Identifying the Root Cause
4. Movement-Based Activities
5. Visual and Art-Based Activities
6. Daily Routine Activities
7. Utilizing "Smart Screen Time"
8. Complex Concepts: Before and After
9. The Science of Our Method
10. Setting Realistic Expectations
11. Choosing the Best Plan for Your Family
12. Collaborating with Teachers and SLPs
13. Summary of Key Takeaways
14. Conclusion
15. FAQ

Introduction

Have you ever asked your child to "put your shoes on and grab your backpack," only to find them five minutes later sitting on the floor playing with a dinosaur, shoes nowhere in sight? If this sounds familiar, you are certainly not alone. For many children, following directions is not a matter of "not listening" or being defiant; it is a complex cognitive hurdle that involves processing language, remembering steps, and maintaining focus. At Speech Blubs, we believe every child deserves the chance to speak their minds and hearts, and mastering the ability to follow instructions is a foundational step in that journey.

In this blog post, we will dive deep into why children struggle with instructions and provide you with a comprehensive list of evidence-based activities for following directions speech therapy. We will explore how movement, art, and "smart screen time" can transform a daily frustration into a joyful learning experience. By the end of this article, you will have a robust toolkit of strategies to help your child build confidence, reduce frustration, and develop the communication skills they need for life. Our mission is to provide an immediate, effective, and joyful solution for the 1 in 4 children who need speech support, and helping them follow directions is a vital part of that goal.

Why Following Directions is a Superpower

Following directions is far more than just "doing what you’re told." It is a sophisticated dance between several different brain functions. When a child successfully follows a command like "Go to the kitchen and bring me the blue cup," they are using:

• Receptive Language: Understanding the specific vocabulary (kitchen, bring, blue, cup).
• Working Memory: Holding the instruction in their mind while they move from one room to another.
• Attention: Blocking out distractions (like a pet or a TV) to complete the task.
• Sequential Processing: Understanding that some steps must happen in a specific order.

Our founders at Speech Blubs grew up with speech challenges themselves, and they created the tool they wished they had—one that blends scientific principles with play. We know that when a child struggles to follow directions, it can impact their independence at school and their social connections with peers. That is why we focus on "smart screen time"—experiences that encourage children to be active participants rather than passive viewers of cartoons.

Identifying the Root Cause

Before jumping into activities, it is helpful to understand why a child might be struggling. Is it the vocabulary? Is it the number of steps? Or is it a concept like "before" or "after"?

If you are unsure where your child stands, we recommend taking a moment for self-assessment. You can take our quick 3-minute preliminary screener which involves 9 simple questions. This screener provides a simple assessment and a next-steps plan, along with a free 7-day trial of our app. Understanding the root cause—whether it's a delay in receptive language or a struggle with working memory—allows you to choose the most effective activities for following directions speech therapy.

Movement-Based Activities

Movement is one of the most powerful ways to teach language. When a child moves their body, they are engaging multiple sensory systems, which helps "stick" the language in their brain.

1. The Living Room Obstacle Course

Create a simple course using pillows, chairs, and blankets. Give your child directions that involve spatial concepts: "Crawl under the blanket, jump over the pillow, and sit on the chair." This helps them internalize prepositions through physical action.

2. "Simon Says" with a Twist

Standard "Simon Says" is great, but you can make it a speech therapy powerhouse by adding multi-step directions. Try: "Simon says touch your nose, then clap your hands." This builds working memory by requiring the child to hold two actions in mind.

3. Scavenger Hunts

Send your child on a mission: "Find something that is red and smaller than your hand." This targets both descriptive vocabulary and the ability to follow conditional directions.

4. Action Songs

Songs like "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" or "The Hokey Pokey" are classic for a reason. They require children to follow auditory cues in real-time. For an extra challenge, try "Freeze Dance," where they must follow the specific direction to "stop" when the music ends.

Visual and Art-Based Activities

Some children are visual learners who benefit from "seeing" the direction as they process it.

5. Listen and Draw

This is a fantastic activity for older children. Give them a blank piece of paper and provide specific instructions: "Draw a large square in the middle. Draw a small circle inside the square. Color the circle green." This helps bridge the gap between hearing a word and creating a mental image.

6. The "Mystery Build" with Blocks

Sit back-to-back with your child, each with an identical set of building blocks. Give them directions to build a structure: "Put the red block on top of the blue block. Put the yellow block next to the red one." When you’re done, turn around and see if your structures match!

7. Interactive Coloring

Instead of just "coloring a picture," use a coloring book as a therapy tool. Say, "Color the dog’s ears brown, but color his tail black." This targets selective attention and specific vocabulary.

Daily Routine Activities

The best speech therapy often happens in the "cracks" of daily life—during breakfast, bath time, or while cleaning up.

8. The "Sous Chef" Challenge

Cooking is a natural way to practice sequential directions. "First, put the flour in the bowl. Next, crack the egg." Using words like "first," "next," and "last" helps children understand temporal concepts.

9. Laundry Sorting

Ask your child to help with the laundry by following specific categories: "Find all the white socks and put them in this basket." This builds categorization skills and focus.

10. Grocery Store Helper

While shopping, give your child "missions." "Go find three green apples and put them in the cart." This incorporates counting (quantitative concepts) with following directions.

Utilizing "Smart Screen Time"

We know that parents are often wary of screen time, and for a good reason. Passive viewing of loud, fast-paced cartoons can often lead to overstimulation without any educational gain. However, Speech Blubs provides a screen-free alternative to that passive experience. Our app is designed as a powerful tool for family connection and "smart screen time."

11. Peer-Led Video Modeling

Our unique methodology is based on video modeling. In the app, children watch their peers—other kids—performing actions and saying words. This triggers "mirror neurons" in the brain, making the child more likely to imitate what they see. When a child sees another child following a direction like "Stick out your tongue" or "Touch your ears," they are much more motivated to join in the fun.

12. Digital "Put Away" Games

Within our app, we have activities that require children to interact with the screen to complete tasks. For a parent whose 3-year-old "late talker" loves animals, the "Animal Kingdom" section offers a fun, motivating way to practice following instructions like "Find the lion" or "Make the monkey jump." You can download Speech Blubs on the App Store or Google Play to explore these interactive modules.

Complex Concepts: Before and After

One of the hardest hurdles in following directions is understanding "before" and "after," especially when the order of the sentence doesn't match the order of the actions (e.g., "Before you touch your toes, clap your hands").

13. The "Wait and Go" Game

Practice these concepts with a physical game. "Before you run to the wall, touch the floor." This forces the child to process the entire sentence before acting, rather than just reacting to the first verb they hear.

14. Barrier Games

These are excellent for school-aged children. Place a divider (like a large book) between you and your child. Give them a scene (like a farm or a park) and some stickers. Give directions like, "Put the cow behind the fence after you put the sun in the sky." This is a high-level task that targets syntax and spatial awareness.

15. Role Play with Scaffolding

Role-playing real-world scenarios, like being at a doctor's office or a restaurant, allows you to give natural directions. "Open your mouth," or "Put your napkin on your lap." This helps generalize skills from the therapy "bubble" into the real world.

The Science of Our Method

Why does our approach work? It’s not just about flashy colors; it’s about science. Our method is backed by research, placing us in the top tier of speech apps worldwide. We focus on the principle that children learn best from other children. This "video modeling" is a proven technique for teaching complex communication skills.

When your child uses Speech Blubs, they aren't just staring at a screen; they are participating in a joyful family learning moment. We encourage "co-play," where you sit with your child, watch the videos together, and repeat the actions. This strengthens the bond between you and provides the adult support necessary for development. You can read more about our research and methodology to see why thousands of speech-language pathologists recommend our tool.

Setting Realistic Expectations

As a child development expert, I want to emphasize that progress takes time. We don't promise that your child will be giving public speeches in a month. Instead, our goal is to foster a love for communication and build the foundational skills that lead to long-term success.

By using these activities for following directions speech therapy, you are reducing your child's frustration. When they understand what is expected of them, they feel more confident and capable. Every small win—like finally remembering to "put the shoes in the closet AND the coat on the hook"—is a cause for celebration. Our app is a powerful supplement to your child's overall development plan and can be used alongside professional therapy to accelerate progress.

Choosing the Best Plan for Your Family

We want to be transparent about how you can access these tools. To get the most out of Speech Blubs and support your child’s journey toward better communication, we offer two main subscription options:

• Monthly Plan: $14.99 per month.
• Yearly Plan: $59.99 per year.

While both plans give you access to our core speech therapy content, the Yearly Plan is the clear best choice for families. It breaks down to just $4.99 per month, which is a 66% saving compared to the monthly rate.

More importantly, the Yearly Plan includes exclusive, high-value features that are not available in the monthly plan:

1. 7-Day Free Trial: You can explore everything we offer risk-free for a full week.
2. Reading Blubs App: You get full access to our companion app, Reading Blubs, which helps transition speech skills into early literacy.
3. Priority Support: Enjoy a 24-hour support response time.
4. Early Access: Be the first to try new updates and features.

To get started with the full suite of features and the free trial, we encourage you to create your account on our web sign-up page and select the Yearly option.

Collaborating with Teachers and SLPs

For children in school, carryover is essential. If your child is seeing a school speech-language pathologist (SLP), share the strategies you are using at home.

• Chunking: Suggest that the teacher "chunk" directions into 1-2 steps at a time.
• Visual Cues: Ask if the teacher can use visual "first/then" boards to support auditory instructions.
• Repetition: Encourage the child to repeat the direction back to the adult before starting the task. This "verbal rehearsal" is a powerful tool for memory.

We often hear from parents who have seen a massive difference once they started using Speech Blubs at home alongside school interventions. Check out our testimonials to see stories from other families who have successfully navigated these challenges.

Summary of Key Takeaways

Helping a child follow directions is about building their "brain muscles" for language, memory, and attention. Here are the most important things to remember:

• Start Simple: Don't be afraid to go back to one-step directions if your child is struggling.
• Use Movement: Get them active! Movement helps lock in language.
• Be Visual: Use art, blocks, and visual cues to support what they hear.
• Leverage "Smart Screen Time": Use tools like Speech Blubs to provide high-quality, peer-led modeling that encourages participation.
• Be Patient: Focus on the process and the joyful moments of learning rather than just the end result.

By consistently incorporating these activities into your daily life, you are giving your child the tools to "speak their minds and hearts."

Conclusion

Mastering the ability to follow directions is a journey, not a race. Whether you are navigating a speech delay or simply looking for ways to boost your child's listening skills, the activities we've shared today offer a fun, engaging path forward. From living room obstacle courses to the interactive world of Speech Blubs, every interaction is an opportunity for growth and connection.

We invite you to join our community of over 5 million parents who have chosen a smarter way to support their children's development. Our app is more than just a digital tool; it’s a mission-driven experience created by people who understand exactly what you are going through.

Ready to see the difference for yourself? Download Speech Blubs today on the App Store or Google Play and start your 7-day free trial. For the best value and access to our entire ecosystem—including Reading Blubs and priority support—be sure to select our Yearly plan. Let's work together to help your child find their voice and build the confidence to follow their dreams, one direction at a time.

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FAQ

1. How many steps should my child be able to follow at their age?

Generally, a 2-year-old can follow one-step directions ("Get your shoes"). By age 3, most children can follow two-step related directions ("Get your shoes and put them by the door"). By age 4 or 5, children typically begin to follow three-step directions. If your child is significantly behind these milestones, it may be time to consult an SLP or use our screener.

2. My child follows directions at school but not at home. Why?

This is very common! School is a highly structured environment with many visual cues and peer pressure (seeing other kids follow directions). Home is a "safe zone" where they might be more tired or distracted. Try using a "first/then" approach at home to mimic the structure they receive at school.

3. Can an app really help with following directions?

Yes, if it's the right kind of app. Speech Blubs focuses on "active" screen time. By watching other children perform actions and being asked to interact with the content, your child is practicing the very skills needed to process auditory and visual instructions in the real world.

4. What if my child gets frustrated during these activities?

If frustration happens, it’s a sign the task might be too complex. "Scaffold" the activity by breaking it down. Instead of a three-step direction, go back to one step and provide a lot of praise. The goal is to build confidence and make communication feel like a win!