Best Activities to Help Your Child Build a Stronger Vocabulary

Why Vocabulary Development Matters More Than You Think

If you're the parent of a 6 to 12-year-old who struggles with homework, has difficulty expressing ideas clearly, or gets frustrated during reading or writing tasks, you're not alone—and you're certainly not failing. Many children face vocabulary hurdles during these school years, and often, that challenge shows up in unexpected ways: misunderstood instructions, weak comprehension, low confidence speaking in front of others.

The good news? Vocabulary is like a muscle—it grows stronger with meaningful, consistent use. And while rote memorization of word lists might have been a staple in the past, we now know kids thrive when vocabulary learning is integrated into authentic, enjoyable experiences.

Put Words Into Their World Through Conversation

Language is best learned through connection. Take a moment to consider when your child uses the most words—probably when they're relaxed, engaged, or excited about something. One simple but powerful tool at your fingertips is rich, open-ended conversation. When you’re in the car, at the dinner table, or out for a walk, invite curiosity:

• "Why do you think clouds move so fast?"
• "What do you think life would be like if animals talked?"
• "Can you describe what this smells like without saying 'good' or 'yucky'?"

These moments don’t need to be perfect or academic. Simply model more complex language when you respond, gently introducing new vocabulary without focusing on correction. For more on nurturing verbal expression, this article on encouraging oral language development offers timeless techniques that apply well beyond the toddler years.

Storytelling: Where Imagination and Vocabulary Meet

Children love hearing and creating stories. And storytelling naturally invites both expressive and receptive vocabulary growth. Encourage your child to make up a story during bathtime, over breakfast, or even scribbled into a notebook before bed. Their tale might begin with just a simple character and a problem, but with your prompting—and patience—it can turn into a world of new words.

Ask questions like:

• "What’s the weather like in this story? Can you describe it more vividly?"
• "What does the monster sound like when it’s angry?"
• "What clever word could we use instead of 'big'?"

This back-and-forth doesn’t just grow vocabulary; it deepens emotional connection, narrative structure, and confidence in expression. You’ll find more hands-on guidance in our piece on creating stories with your child.

Let Them Hear Words in a New Way

Not all kids learn best visually. For auditory learners especially, hearing language used expressively and in context can lead to breakthrough moments. If your evenings are already rushed or screen-free, consider exploring kid-friendly audiobooks and audio series. The iOS or Android version of the LISN Kids app offers an engaging range of original audio stories for ages 3–12, and because they’re designed by early childhood experts, they slip high-quality language into playful, age-appropriate tales.

Whether during car rides or before bed, it’s a powerful way to expose kids to new vocabulary in rich storytelling environments.

Integrate Vocabulary Into Daily Routines

Sometimes, helping your child boost their word bank isn’t about adding more to your plate—it’s about weaving learning into what you already do. Daily routines hold surprising opportunities:

• Cooking dinner? Let them help and describe textures, smells, and changes (“The sauce is simmering,” “Onions make your eyes sting”).
• Folding laundry? Sort by category and invent labels (“These socks are mismatched,” “This shirt is wrinkled but stretchy”).
• Walking outdoors? Listen to what they see—and add detail (“It’s not just a bird—it’s a soaring hawk”).

Children absorb language best when it's practical and purposeful. For more ideas on how routines can support growth, explore our suggestions in this article on smart daily routines.

Fuel Exploration With Curiosity

When vocabulary instruction becomes a chore, children disengage. But when words help them explore their world, that's when real learning begins. Follow your child’s interests—even if it’s dinosaurs, space, or slime-making—and help them dive deeper with books, documentaries, and even guided discussions around those passions. Introduce new synonyms, scientific terms, or descriptive language based on what excites them.

And don’t worry if the new vocabulary doesn’t stick immediately. Exposure is the first essential step. Keep curiosity at the heart of your home with help from resources like our audio story recommendations for curious kids.

Final Thoughts: Keep It Warm, Not Perfect

As a parent, your job isn’t to be a teacher with a red pen—it’s to be a guide and encourager. Vocabulary development doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t need to look like schoolwork. Instead, focus on connection, creativity, and curiosity. Make room for mistakes. Celebrate effort. And above all, enjoy the beautiful, silly, and surprising words your child will discover along the way.