Hey there!
So, the other day, I was watching my youngest try to blow out a birthday candle. Instead of a nice, steady puff of air, I got a face full of spit and a confused look from a three-year-old. It hit me—this whole “blowing” thing is actually a skill we take for granted.
If you’ve ever wondered why your kid drools a bit more than their peers, struggles with certain speech sounds, or just seems to have a weak “puff,” you might be dealing with oral motor skills. And honestly, one of the easiest (and least messy) ways to work on this is through blowing activities.
Forget the boring drills. I’m talking about the kind of fun that makes the kids think you’re the “cool parent” while they’re actually building muscle strength in their lips, cheeks, and jaw. I’ve rounded up ten of my absolute favorite blowing activities that I’ve tested on my own little ones (and a few neighborhood kids who wandered over).
Grab a coffee, and let’s chat about making oral motor therapy feel like playtime.
Why Bother with Blowing Games?
Before we dive into the fun stuff, let’s get real for a second. Ever wondered why speech therapists are obsessed with bubbles and whistles?
It’s not just to keep kids quiet. :/ Blowing activities are like a gym workout for the mouth. They strengthen the muscles needed for clear speech, help with swallowing, and can even reduce that pesky drooling we mentioned earlier.
The “Muscle Workout” Analogy
Think of it this way: you wouldn’t run a marathon without training your legs, right? Talking is a marathon for the mouth. These exercises build the endurance and coordination kids need to form sounds like /p/, /b/, and /m/ correctly.
Signs Your Kid Might Need This
Look, I’m not a doctor (just a mom with an internet connection and too much time on her hands), but if you notice your little one has a open-mouth resting posture, is a super messy eater, or gets frustrated trying to say certain words, a little oral motor play might be just the ticket.
Alright, lecture over. Let’s get to the blowing!
1. The Classic Cotton Ball Race
This is my go-to activity when I need to entertain two kids at once with minimal setup. It’s stupidly simple but weirdly competitive.
Setting Up Your Race Track
Grab a handful of cotton balls and a clear space on the table or floor. You can use straws or just their own lungs for this one. We use painter’s tape to make a “start” and “finish” line.
Why it works: It encourages controlled breath support. They have to aim and blow consistently to move the ball.
Pro Tip from My Living Room
To up the ante? I tell them they have to blow the cotton ball into a specific “goal” (like a cup turned on its side). Fair warning: if you use straws, make sure the straw is wide enough that they don’t have to suck too hard to get air. Safety first, folks. No one wants a straw stuck to a lip.
2. Bubble Mountain Mayhem
Everyone loves bubbles. But I’m not talking about just waving a wand in the air. We take it to the next level.
How to Make a Bubble Mountain
You need a small bowl, a bit of dish soap, a splash of water, and a straw.
- Put the soap/water mix in the bowl.
- Give the kid a straw.
- Tell them to blow into the mixture.
Suddenly, you have a mountain of bubbles erupting over the side of the bowl. The shrieks of laughter are totally worth the sticky countertop clean-up.
Why it works: This requires sustained, low-pressure blowing. It’s harder than it looks because they have to keep a steady stream of air going. FYI, this is amazing for building endurance in the lip muscles.
3. Whistle While You Work (Or Play)
I know. Whistles are annoying. The noise is enough to drive any parent insane. But hear me out—they are absolute gold for oral motor development.
Different Whistles for Different Skills
Not all whistles are created equal. Party blowers (those little rolled-up paper things that unroll when you blow) are fantastic. Slide whistles? Even better.
- Party Blowers: Force the child to push air out quickly to make the noise and unroll the paper.
- Recorders/Kazoos: Teach modulation (loud vs. soft).
IMO, the annoyance is worth the results. Just set a rule: “Whistles are only for blowing, not for screaming into my ear.” :/
4. Ping Pong Ball Soccer
This is essentially the cotton ball race but supersized. Take a ping pong ball and put it on the floor. The goal is to blow it across the room into a goal (or just to knock over a tower of blocks).
Why It Works for Older Kids
My 6-year-old thinks he’s too cool for “baby” cotton balls, but blowing a ping pong ball around the house? That’s a sport. It encourages directional control and force modulation. Sometimes you need a gentle puff to guide it, sometimes you need a big blast to get it moving.
5. Homemade Harmonica (Craft Time!)
Okay, this one requires a little DIY, but it’s a great rainy-day activity. You just need two jumbo craft sticks, a piece of paper, and two rubber bands.
The “Pee-wee Herman” Special
Remember Pee-wee Herman’s playhouse? This makes that sound.
- Cut a strip of paper slightly smaller than the craft stick.
- Place the paper between two craft sticks.
- Wrap rubber bands tightly around each end.
- Put it between their lips and have them blow through the crack.
It creates a buzzing sound. It’s hilarious and requires them to hold their lips just right to get the vibration. Fine motor skills for the mouth? Yes, please.
6. The Great Feather Roundup
This one is perfect if you have sensory seekers. Grab a handful of colorful feathers and scatter them on the table.
Blowing with a Purpose
Give your child a straw and tell them to blow the feathers into a designated “pen” (a shoebox works great). The feathers move easily, so it’s great for beginners.
Why I love it: It provides immediate feedback. If they blow, the feather moves. It builds confidence in kids who struggle with more resistance-heavy tasks like blowing through a straw to move a heavy cotton ball.
7. Strawberry Smoothie Silliness
Okay, this is technically eating/drinking, but hear me out. Drinking through a straw is a fantastic oral motor exercise. But we’re not just sipping water.
The Thick Stuff Challenge
The thicker the liquid, the harder the lips and cheeks have to work. Try giving them a smoothie, a milkshake, or even applesauce in a pouch (though pouches are usually sucked, not blown—make sure it’s a straw situation).
Resistance Training: Sucking thick liquid through a straw is resistance training for the mouth. It strengthens the cheek muscles and teaches the tongue to retract. Plus, smoothies are delicious, so there’s zero resistance from the kiddos.
8. DIY Kazoo Concert
We touched on instruments earlier, but the kazoo deserves its own spot. You can buy a pack of kazoos for like five bucks.
Humming vs. Blowing
A kazoo is unique because it requires them to hum into it, not just blow. This works a different set of muscles and introduces vocalization with airflow. It’s the bridge between blowing and talking.
I keep a basket of kazoos in the “rainy day closet.” Do they drive me insane? Yes. But watching them figure out the vibration is worth the headache. Pop a couple of earplugs in, you’ll be fine. 😉
9. The Sneaky Candle Game
Birthday candles aren’t just for cake. Grab a few birthday candles (the long, thin ones are best for safety) and stick them into some play-doh.
Progression of Difficulty
Start with one candle. Have them stand close and blow it out. Then, move the candle farther away. Then, light two at once. This teaches them to grade their airflow. A close candle needs a gentle puff; a far candle needs a big, powerful exhale.
Safety Note: Obviously, we’re using fire here. Don’t walk away to do the dishes while they do this. Supervise closely, and maybe stick to just one candle at a time for the younger ones.
10. Paint Blowing Monsters
This combines art with oral motor skills. It’s messy, so I usually do it outside or on the kitchen floor with a drop cloth.
The Activity
Thin some washable tempera paint with a bit of water. Drip a spoonful onto a piece of paper. Hand your child a straw and tell them to blow the paint around the paper.
- To make “monsters,” add googly eyes after the paint dries.
- To make “hair,” have them blow outward from a central dot.
Why this rocks: It requires intense focus and controlled breath. They have to aim the air to push the paint where they want it to go. Plus, you get a fridge-worthy masterpiece at the end.
Tips for Making This Work (Without Losing Your Mind)
Let’s be honest. Setting up activities is great, but execution can be a nightmare if the kid isn’t into it. Here’s how I bribe… I mean, encourage my kids to participate.
Follow Their Lead
If they aren’t interested in blowing cotton balls, don’t force it. Pull out the bubbles or the kazoo. The goal is play, not work. If it feels like a chore, they’ll shut down.
Keep It Short
You don’t need to do this for an hour. Five to ten minutes a day is plenty. We’re building muscles, not running a marathon. Overtiring the mouth muscles can actually make speech less clear temporarily.
Celebrate the Effort
Did they try to blow the feather but just ended up spitting on it? High five! The attempt means they’re engaging the right muscles. Spit happens. Literally.
Wrapping This Up
So there you have it—ten ways to turn your home into an oral motor gym without buying expensive, bulky toys. Everything here is probably already in your pantry or craft closet.
Whether your kid needs a little help with speech clarity, struggles with eating, or you just want a fun way to pass a rainy afternoon, these blowing activities are a win. They’re silly, they’re a little messy, and they work.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go scrub dried paint off my kitchen table and find out where my toddler hid the kazoo. (Spoiler: It’s probably in the dog’s water bowl.)
Got any blowing games I missed? I’d love to hear them! Drop a comment and let’s keep the fun going. Happy blowing! 🙂
