As preschool speech therapists, one of the most important skills we help young children develop is the ability to describe things in detail. Descriptive language helps kids build vocabulary, express themselves more clearly, and improve their overall communication skills. If you're looking for fun and engaging ways to teach describing skills to kids aged 3-6, you're in the right place! In this post, I'm sharing 10 exciting games that will make learning how to describe objects, people, and actions both fun and effective.
1. Build Something
Why it works: Helps kids practice adjectives, colors, sizes, and shapes.
Build something using Lego, Clipart, Blocks or any building material. This activity is perfect for encouraging kids to describe things. Once the student is done building the item, have them talk about the category, color, size, pieces, and function of the item.[color], [size], and [shape]." This simple activity helps children expand their vocabulary and practice using different adjectives. As kids get the hang of it, you can challenge them to add more descriptive words!
Pro tip: Use visuals, like the ones included in my Build It Boom Deck to help your student use a vareity of describing words!
2. Guess the Object Bag
Why it works: Expands vocabulary and encourages kids to use more specific adjectives.
Grab a bag and fill it with different objects. Without looking, let the child pull something out and describe it to you using as many adjectives as they can. You can use items like toys, food, or household objects. The goal is for the other person to guess what the object is based on the description. This game encourages creative thinking and helps kids practice using more advanced vocabulary.
Pro tip: Start with simple objects like a ball or spoon, then move on to more complicated items as their skills grow. You can also use a themed twist by using a stocking at Christmas, a present for a birthday theme, or a Toy Farm for farm animals.
Adjective Charades
Why it works: Strengthens understanding of adjectives and how to describe actions.
In this game, kids take turns acting out an adjective, like “tall” or “slow,” while others try to guess what it is. For example, if a child is acting out “slow,” they might pretend to move like a turtle. This activity helps kids connect descriptive words with actions and expressions, making it a fun way to build their vocabulary.
Pro tip: Use simple adjectives at first, like "happy," "big," or "fast," and then increase the complexity as kids get more comfortable.
My Themed Speech Therapy Units include Themed Action Cards that filled with themed characters and actions. Chooses from the 10 included themes, or snag the money saving bundle!
4. Descriptive Pictionary
Why it works: Improves sentence structure and creative thinking.
In Descriptive Pictionary, kids take turns drawing something—whether it's an object, animal, or action—and then describe what they drew. For example, "This is a big red ball." The other players try to guess what it is based on the description. This game gets kids thinking about how to explain things in detail and practice using different types of words.
Pro tip: Use pre-drawn cards to give kids ideas, like animals or vehicles, to keep the game moving!
5. Guess my Item
Why it works: Builds vocabulary and helps kids practice prescise describing. .
Create 2 sets of cards with pictures of objects or animals that are very similar (e.g. 10 dogs). When the therapist or child describes an item (e.g., "It has big ears and a long tongue"), the other players check their cards for a match. This gets kids to use specific descriptive language while reinforcing their vocabulary.
Pro tip: Focus on different types of adjectives (color, size, shape, length, parts, texture, etc) to help children broaden their descriptive language.
My Guess My --- Product Line includes visuals and cards that are perfect for the activity!
6. Descriptive Scavenger Hunt
Why it works: Helps kids learn how to categorize and describe items they find.
A scavenger hunt is a great way to get kids actively involved in practicing their descriptive language. Create a list of things for kids to find, like "Find something soft," "Find something red," or "Find something that smells good." Once they find the items, they can describe them to you in detail, helping them build both vocabulary and sensory awareness.
Pro tip: Make sure the items are easy to find in the environment, whether indoors or outdoors.
My sound loaded Scavenger hunt can be used to target articulation AND describing, as each sound features a variety of adjectives!
7. Adjective Charades
Why it works: Strengthens understanding of adjectives and how to describe actions.
In this game, kids take turns acting out an adjective, like “tall” or “slow,” while others try to guess what it is. For example, if a child is acting out “slow,” they might pretend to move like a turtle. This activity helps kids connect descriptive words with actions and expressions, making it a fun way to build their vocabulary.
Pro tip: Use simple adjectives at first, like "happy," "big," or "fast," and then increase the complexity as kids get more comfortable.
My Themed Speech Therapy Units include Themed Action Cards that filled with themed characters and actions. Chooses from the 10 included themes, or snag the money saving bundle!
8. Memory Matching Game with Descriptions
Why it works: Boosts memory skills while reinforcing descriptive language.
For this game, use a set of picture cards with different objects, animals, or actions. Kids take turns flipping over two cards at a time, and when they make a match, they describe what they see. For example, if they turn over a picture of a dog, they might say, "This dog is brown and fluffy." This game builds both memory and descriptive skills.
Pro tip: Start with familiar objects and gradually introduce more complex images as children get better at describing.
9. "What Am I?" Riddles
Why it works: Encourages critical thinking and the use of descriptive language.
In this game, one player gives clues about an object or animal, and the other player has to guess what it is. For example, "I am big, I have a long neck, and I live in the zoo. What am I?" This game is a fun way to get kids thinking about how to describe things in a way that others can understand.
Pro tip: Use simple, familiar objects or animals, and encourage kids to describe them with more than just one word.
My Themed Speech Therapy Units include Describing Visuals and cards that are filled with themed vocabulary. Chooses from the 10 included themes, or snag the money saving bundle!
10. Describing a Story or Picture
Why it works: Promotes storytelling and detailed description.
Pick a picture or a scene from a storybook and ask the child to describe what’s happening in the picture. Encourage them to talk about the sizes, features,, emotions, and actions they see. If you’re using a storybook, have the child describe different scenes and characters. This activity helps improve both expressive language and the ability to narrate events.
Pro tip: Ask open-ended questions like, "What’s happening in this picture?" or "How do you think the character feels?"
BONUS ACTIVITY: Sensory Describing Game
Why it works: Helps kids build a rich vocabulary using sensory details.
For this activity, gather objects that kids can interact with using their senses—such as soft stuffed animals, crunchy leaves, or fragrant flowers. Have the children describe the object using sensory words like "smooth," "loud," or "sweet." This encourages them to use a wide range of adjectives and learn to describe the world around them in more detail.
Pro tip: Let kids feel, smell, and even taste the items before describing them to help make the experience more immersive.
Need a resource for this? Check out my Themed Sensory Bins! Includes 35+ Themes AND describing visuals!
Final Thoughts
Describing games are an excellent way to help preschoolers develop important language skills in a fun, engaging way. By using creative activities, you can encourage kids to use a wide variety of adjectives and build their vocabulary. These games not only make learning fun but also give kids the tools they need to express themselves more clearly, building the foundation for effective communication. Try these games in your speech therapy sessions, and watch your preschoolers’ descriptive language skills grow!
