Speech Therapy Wrapping Paper

Low-Prep, Functional Therapy Activities Using Everyday Materials

Wrapping paper is often treated as waste—but from a speech-language therapy perspective, it’s a highly versatile, no-prep material that can support articulation, language, narrative, and social communication goals across ages.

This page outlines practical speech therapy wrapping paper ideas that can be used:

• After holidays
• During themed therapy units
• Any time of year using inexpensive store-bought paper

These activities are designed to be simple, flexible, and easy to adapt for different skill levels.

Speech Therapy Wrapping Paper Ideas for Articulation

Speech therapy wrapping paper provides natural opportunities for movement, repetition, and functional word use—ideal for articulation practice.

Below are articulation-based ideas organized by sound. Adjust cues and word choices based on the student’s current level.

• /b/: Make a ball out of wrapping paper and throw it back and forth
• /d/: Dig through a pile of paper to find hidden toys
• /f/: “I found a ___” while searching for objects
• /g/: Say gift while wrapping and unwrapping toys
• /j/: Jump over a pile of paper
• /k/: Cut paper into shapes
• /l/: Fill a bag with wrapping paper
• /m/: Say more as additional paper is added
• /n/: Make an airplane
• /p/: Say paper while finding hidden scraps
• /r/: Wrap and re-wrap objects
• /s/: “I see a ___”
• /t/: Tear paper into pieces
• /v/: Give someone a present
• /z/: Make a magazine collage
• /sh/: Throw paper in the trash
• /th/: Throw paper away

These activities naturally support high trial counts, especially when paired with short, functional target words.

For more tips on articulation, check out our word lists!

Early Developing Language Skills

Speech Therapy wrapping paper is also effective for targeting early language goals in a play-based, low-pressure way.

Use wrapping paper to target:

• Colors: Identify and label colors
• Vocabulary: Name objects and pictures on the paper
• Counting: Count repeated images (e.g., snowflakes, stars)
• Verbs: Throw, toss, tear, wrap
• Sentence expansion: “I see a ___” or “I found a ___”

These activities support expressive language while keeping cognitive load low.

Expressive & Receptive Language: Toddler Through Early Elementary

Speech therapy wrapping paper can easily support more complex language goals when paired with clinician scaffolding.

Language Concepts Targeted

• Comparatives: Big, bigger, biggest (using paper balls)
• Compare/Contrast: Wrapping paper vs. tissue paper vs. gift bags
• Sequencing & Narrative:
  • Steps to wrap a present
  • Steps to open a present
• Naming: Identify objects shown—or missing—from the paper
• Sorting: Sort by color, size, theme, or pattern

These tasks support vocabulary depth, syntax, and early narrative organization.

Language Games That Target Multiple Skills

Wrapping paper can be used to create flexible language games that target higher-level skills.

Guessing Game

Wrap household objects and take turns guessing what’s inside based on:

• Size
• Shape
• Weight
• Texture

Model reasoning out loud to support expressive language.

Storytelling

Use characters, animals, or scenes on the paper to:

• Create short stories
• Practice story grammar
• Build imaginative language

Cut out images to create full scenes if desired.

Categorization

Identify additional items that would belong with the images shown.
Example:

• Penguins → polar bears, ice, seals, ocean

This supports semantic organization and category expansion.

Social Communication Skills

Speech therapy wrapping paper activities naturally lend themselves to social language practice.

Use pretend gift-giving to model and practice:

• Turn-taking
• Expressing gratitude (“Thank you,” “You’re welcome”)
• Perspective-taking
• Responding appropriately to non-preferred items

These skills are critical for real-world communication and social participation.

Why Everyday Materials Matter in Speech Therapy

Using materials like wrapping paper:

• Reduces prep time
• Encourages carryover into home routines
• Supports generalization
• Models for families that therapy doesn’t require specialized tools

Functional materials help bridge the gap between therapy sessions and daily life.

Free Monthly Speech & Language Materials for SLPs

If you’d like simple, clinically grounded materials that support articulation and language goals, you can sign up below to receive one free speech or language resource each month.

These materials are shared from the Speech Therapy Talk Membership and are designed to be flexible, practical, and easy to implement.