We tend to think that play only happens with toys, but when it comes to older babies and toddlers, people games are where it’s at! These types of games are super connection-driven, and of course they support communication development. They’re fun, interactive, and even educational— they help your little one practice the foundational skills that children need to have before they can go on to speak. This makes them super valuable for toddlers who are on the verge of being talkers!

If you’re looking for fun, easy, no-prep ways to encourage communication and talking in your toddler, these 10 communication games are just the thing.

How To Play Communication Games with Toddlers

Each of these games and activities presents a lot of opportunities for connection and communication for you and your child. They’re fun first, so you know your toddler will looove playing them with you! (No intense curriculum or anything like that.) But, in the back of your parent mind, you can feel great knowing that they’re also doing so much to help your child learn and grow.

If you’re playing these games with a little one who isn’t speaking yet or who says just a few words here and there, so it’s okay if you find yourself doing a good amount of the talking. Just make sure you PAUSE and look for their nonverbal cues. If they don’t seem interested in one, try a different one. That’s why I’ve listed 10 here for you. Additionally, you and your family might make up one of your own!

If your child is talking, the receptive phrases used in many of these games makes it easier for them to join in and participate.

But, a key part of playing these games in a way that encourages them to communicate is making sure you PAUSE and give your child the opportunity to communicate back to you or take a turn. They might not be saying words or phrases, and that’s okay! It can be as simple as giving them a moment to try signing, using a gesture, or saying fun words like:

More
Yay!
Weeeee!⁣

Related: What Counts As A Word?

Have fun with it!

We never want language and communication to feel like a test. Our advice is to let this be mostly all about fun and connection. Set up the game and remember to give opportunities for your child to communicate with you, but beyond that just enjoy the moment together!

10 Easy Communication Games To Play Together

#1 Copy Cat

Simply take turns acting out movements or gestures and copy each other. You can act out things like animals or cars. If you’re not used to be silly, just give it a try and see how your child reacts. Many times it can be motivating and engaging for them, but we know it doesn’t always come naturally for the families we work with. Try using words like:

My turn
Your turn
Verbs like stomp, jump, fly
Animal sounds
Imitation skills are important to work on before words come, plus this is a great relationship building game. Your child will love seeing that you’re interested in what they are doing and taking a turn being the leader.

#2 Chase

Chase each other around the house or the park, and intentionally create opportunities for language around words like:

Got you!
Here I come!
Fast
Run

#3 Peek-A-Boo

This one’s a classic! Play peek-a-boo together and work in words like:

Boo!
I see you!
Where are you?

#4 Silly Faces Back-And-Forth

Take turns making silly faces and making each other laugh. This also helps promote imitation, which is essential for communication development. Add-in words like:

Eyes
Tongue
Mouth
Open
Close
Silly!
Your turn

#5 Swinging Around In A Circle

This is such a fun one! Instant laughs and smiles. You can work in language around words like:

Weeee!!
Faster
Ready, set, (remember to pause) go!

#6 Lifting Up and Down

Fun for them and a workout for you! Try pausing and waiting for your child to indicate that they want to go up. Remember, this can be a gesture, a sign, or a word!

#7 Horsey Rides

Horsey rides are full of opportunities for language, like:

Up
Bumpy
Weeee!
Down
Fast

#8 Action Songs

Action songs (think “Wheels On The Bus”) are great because they have the language part built right in!

Wheels On The Bus: Let your child say or sign words like open, close, around, up, and down
Head and Shoulders: Try singing “head and shoulders, knees and...” and let your child add “toes” in their own way
Check out Songs+Stories to learn more fun songs & rhymes.

#9 Jumping Games

Jumping on the bed, a mat, the grass outside, or creating a little obstacle course adds tons of opportunities for language!

#10 Rough & Tumble Play

Any rough and tumble play together is a great opportunity to communicate! You can add in or create opportunities for things like:

Up
Weeee!
Yay!
Down
Fast
Slow
...and so many others!

Is your toddler meeting talking milestones?

Grab our free language milestones checklist! Understand where they’re at now and what’s coming up next, so you can keep encouraging their communication skills!

Free Milestones download

10 Fun Communication Games For Toddlers