4th of July Speech Therapy is the perfect opportunity to bring some holiday fun into your sessions while targeting important speech and language goals. From fireworks and flags to parades and picnics, there’s no shortage of festive inspiration to make your therapy both enjoyable and effective.

In this post, we’ve put together a collection of 4th of July speech therapy activities that will keep your students engaged while reinforcing important skills like articulation, vocabulary, and language comprehension. You’ll find ideas for crafts, games, and interactive activities, plus a list of books that celebrate the holiday and can be paired with speech therapy ideas. We’ll also highlight 4th of July-related words that are perfect for practicing sounds like /s/, /r/, /l/, and clusters (blends). Let’s celebrate freedom and language growth together!

1. Children’s Books for the 4th of July

Start this section by emphasizing how books tied to the holiday can make learning about the 4th of July both fun and educational. These books can help build vocabulary, comprehension, and listening skills, all while celebrating the spirit of the holiday.

Here are some great options:

“The Story of the Fourth of July” by Patricia A. Pingry A simple, easy-to-read book that explains the significance of Independence Day in a way young children can understand. It’s perfect for discussing history and American symbols, making it ideal for incorporating vocabulary-building activities.
The Night Before the Fourth of July by Natasha Wing It’s the night before the Fourth of July and all across the United States people are getting ready for hot dogs and fireworks.
I Spy 4th of July by Marlies Larch Is your child ready to help the animal friends prepare the biggest Independence Day parade ever? In this special search-and-find book, they’ll spot bright fireworks, waving flags, and big parade floats.
Fourth of July (Holidays in Rhythm and Rhyme) by Emma Carlson Berne On the Fourth of July, Americans remember the founding of the United States. On this day, people gather for picnics and watch parades and fireworks.

Activity Tip: After reading the books, ask students to retell the story in their own words, practice using new vocabulary, or even predict what might happen next in a story with familiar structures.

2. Speech Therapy Activities for the 4th of July

This section will focus on fun and hands-on activities that combine speech therapy goals with holiday spirit. You can link out to Pinterest for specific crafts and games, or provide your own step-by-step instructions.

a. Firework Sounds Articulation

Create “fireworks” with streamers or tissue paper. As students pull on the streamers, they must say a specific sound or word target correctly before they can “set off” the firework. For example:

• /s/ words like “star,” “sparkle,” or “sizzle.”
• /r/ words like “red,” “rocket,” or “race.”
• /l/ words like “light,” “loud,” or “lake.”

b. 4th of July Bingo

Create a Bingo game with 4th of July-themed pictures (fireworks, flags, hats, etc.). Use the Bingo cards to target specific language goals by asking students to describe or say a word that matches each picture. For example, they can describe what fireworks look like or tell you about a parade.

Link to Pinterest: 4th of July Bingo ideas

c. Build a Flag Craft and Word Practice

Have students create their own 4th of July flags using construction paper, stickers, and markers. As they build the flag, have them say and repeat target words related to the holiday (e.g., “freedom,” “fireworks,” “celebrate”) while practicing proper articulation or sentence structure. This activity helps integrate fine motor skills with speech practice.

Link to Pinterest: 4th of July flag craft

d. Parades and Sound Imitation

Host a mini “parade” where students march with instruments (e.g., tambourines, maracas) while practicing rhyming words or word families related to 4th of July themes. For example, they can say, “I see fireworks in the sky!” while marching and shaking their instruments.

3. 4th of July Words for Articulation

This section can provide a chart of 4th of July-related words to target specific sounds, making it easy for therapists to integrate these words into speech therapy sessions.

Chart Example for 4th of July Articulation Practice:

Activity Tip: Pair each word with a fun action or craft to help reinforce the sound. For example, have students create a flag for the word “flag” or make a rocket for “rocket.”

Summer Speech Therapy Homework for Spanish-Speaking Parents

If you are needing homework ideas for your Spanish-speaking parents, check out this post.