Boost Your Child’s Oral Language Skills with Card and Board Games from Age 5

Why Oral Language Matters More Than We Realize

When your child struggles to express themselves, understand questions, or describe events clearly, it can create a ripple effect across every subject at school. From reading comprehension to social relationships, oral language sits at the heart of learning.

But encouraging a child to talk—really talk—isn’t about drilling vocabulary lists. It’s about creating playful, low-pressure opportunities to listen, speak, and interact. One of the most natural ways to do this? Bring out the card and board games.

Turning Game Time into Talk Time

Card games and board games aren’t just for fun or family bonding. They’re surprisingly powerful tools for developing your child’s oral language. These games support skills like:

• Describing actions or images
• Following and giving directions
• Explaining choices
• Asking thoughtful questions

Many popular games naturally require children to narrate, guess, explain, or describe. This gives your child authentic reasons to speak, all while having fun. And because they're engaged, learning tends to stick.

Game Night Strategies That Encourage Conversation

If you're feeling uncertain about how to use games in this way — especially after a long day — take heart. You don’t need to change the rules or add pressure. Just adjust your focus. Here are some ways to encourage talk through play:

1. Choose games with lots of verbal interaction. Look for games where players describe words, images, or situations. Even simple guessing games require players to use descriptive language. Classic examples include charades-style games, storytelling dice, or card games like “Guess Who?” or “What’s Missing?”

2. Ask open-ended questions as you play. Instead of simply cheering or correcting during a turn, try prompts like: “Why did you choose that card?” or “How would you describe what’s happening here?” Gentle curiosity invites richer responses—and reinforces that their ideas matter.

3. Let your child lead. When they explain the rules or teach a new game to you or a sibling, they use a wealth of language. This not only boosts communication, but self-confidence too.

If your child needs extra support with attention or memory while playing, consider exploring our article on the best board games for kids who struggle to focus.

Game Ideas for Building Language at Every Age

It’s easy to adapt the level of language used depending on your child’s age and comfort level. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• For ages 5-7: Try storytelling cards where kids create narratives from images. Or simple matching games with a twist: have your child describe the object, rather than name it directly.
• For ages 8-10: Games like “Apples to Apples” or “Taboo Junior” require comparing ideas and explaining thinking—gold for expressive language.
• For ages 11-12: Strategy-based games like “Codenames” or “Dixit” encourage deeper connections and nuanced speech.

Need free or budget-friendly options? You’ll love these free printable board games for family fun that can be played again and again at no extra cost.

Beyond the Tabletop: Listening Builds Language Too

Too tired for game night? We’ve all been there. Listening is the other side of the oral language coin. One beautiful way to support language—even when you’re driving, cooking, or just needing quiet—is with shared listening experiences.

The LISN Kids App offers a wide collection of original audiobooks and audio series tailored for children aged 3 to 12. These stories are not only enjoyable, but they model natural dialogue, introduce rich vocabulary, and spark meaningful conversations afterward. Explore it on iOS or Android.

Let Language Grow Organically

It’s easy to worry when your child struggles to express themselves. But remember: language doesn’t need to be taught in lessons. It grows best in safe, playful environments where children feel seen and heard.

So, lean into the little moments. When playing together, slow down—not to teach, but to connect. Ask curious questions. Laugh at mistakes. Let your child’s words be enough. Over time, you’ll notice how their verbal confidence blossoms, one turn—and one story—at a time.

For more on how games can support executive functioning and self-regulation, don’t miss our reflection on how board games teach kids to wait their turn or explore this guide to how board games help strengthen your child's memory.