Is It Normal If My Child Makes Up Words? Understanding Inventive Language in Kids

When Wordplay Becomes a Habit: Should You Be Concerned?

You’re folding laundry or packing lunches, and all of a sudden you hear your child say something like, “Mom, I’m feeling wibblyblop today.” You pause, confused. Wibblyblop? What on earth does that mean? Then you realize—it’s not a real word.

If your 6-to-12-year-old regularly invents words—whether they say “snorflig” when tired or call carrots “crunchosaurus sticks”—you might be wondering: Is this playful creativity or a red flag for language development?

Inventing Words: A Marker of Imagination, Not Necessarily a Problem

Language is one of the most complex skills a child develops, and around the age of 6 to 12, kids are refining their communication abilities, adjusting grammar, expanding vocabulary, and improving comprehension. Making up words is, more often than not, a natural reflection of curiosity and cognitive growth. It can even signal advanced linguistic play and emotional expression—especially when the invented words are used consistently and serve a purpose.

Consider Lewis Carroll’s famous poem Jabberwocky, entirely filled with made-up words like “slithy” and “gyre.” These whimsical inventions delight both children and adults. Kids who invent vocabulary might be tapping into similar creative language play.

When Made-Up Words Can Help Kids Express Emotions

Imagine this: A child mixes English and nonsense to tell you they had a “blargy” day. Upon asking further, you discover there were too many transitions between classes at school. They don’t quite have the vocabulary to explain “overwhelmed” or “disoriented,” so they improvise. In this case, the invented word isn’t just creativity—it’s a bridge to self-expression.

Helping your child find the real words they need can strengthen not only their vocabulary, but also their emotional intelligence. Consider building language confidence through conversation and play, or check out our article on how to encourage self-expression through words.

What to Observe Before You Worry

Of course, not every case of invented words is purely playful. In some instances, a child may mix nonsense with real language because they don’t understand sentence structure, or they may struggle with auditory processing. The key is to look at the broader context:

• Does your child use invented words alongside clear, real language? If so, play is likely the driver.
• Are they understood by peers and teachers? Communication that is mostly effective suggests typical development.
• Do the made-up words persist over time without any accompanying vocabulary growth? This might be worth discussing with a teacher or specialist.

For a deeper look at what healthy language development looks like at different ages, especially around early elementary years, visit our article on language milestones in young children.

How to Encourage Play and Precision in Language

As a parent, your instinct may be to correct made-up words right away—but pause for a moment. If the meaning is clear, and language skills overall seem strong, there’s room to nurture both imagination and proper vocabulary. Here’s how:

• Play Along: Respond with your own invented word or ask questions about theirs. “Wibblyblop? What does that feel like? Does it come before or after lunch?”
• Model Precise Language: Respond by rephrasing: “Oh, so today felt jumbled and confusing?” This gives them the tools they need without shutting down creativity.
• Use Storytelling to Expand Vocabulary: Shared stories expose kids to rich, diverse language. Audiobooks are especially helpful, giving children a model for expression while freeing them from text-related stress.

Apps like LISN Kids on iOS or Android offer original audio series that immerse children in beautifully crafted stories. These engaging tales don’t just entertain—they expose your child to new vocabulary, sentence patterns, and emotional nuance in a relaxed, non-pressured way.

When and Where to Seek Support

If your child’s communication skills seem patchy—if they struggle to follow basic language rules, mix up sounds frequently, or seem hard to understand at school—it may be time for a gentle check-in with a school speech-language specialist. Initiating a conversation doesn’t mean something’s wrong; it simply ensures that any underlying issue isn’t masked by cute acts of creativity.

In the meantime, be aware of how language skills build over time. You might explore our guide on foundation-building for clear speech or discover language activities to try during vacations.

It’s Not Just Nonsense—It’s Communication

No parent wants to ignore subtle signs of learning difficulty, but it’s equally important not to sound the alarm when your child is just expressing themselves in quirky ways. Language isn’t static; it’s a living, breathing skill that children learn best through interaction, stories, and being met where they are.

So the next time you hear a wobbly “splonktabulous” or “flarp” coming from the backseat during your commute, smile—and maybe take that chance to turn the car ride into a listening moment with an engaging audio journey. If that idea inspires you, don’t miss our guide on using audio stories to turn commutes into learning moments.

In the end, the made-up words may pass, but the love for language they’re showing? That’s just beginning.