Why Speech Therapists Are Obsessed with Bubbles

If you’ve ever watched a speech therapist work with a child, there’s a good chance you’ve seen them pull out a small bottle of bubbles like it’s a secret weapon. And you might have thought, Wait… we’re just blowing bubbles today?

Yes. Yes we are. And trust us — there’s a reason.

Speech therapists are absolutely obsessed with bubbles. They keep them in their bags, in their desks, in their car cupholders. They’ve tried every brand, every wand, every no-spill container on the market. Because as silly as it might look from the outside, bubbles are a powerful tool for early communication, motor skills, sensory play, and — best of all — connection.

Here’s why bubbles aren’t just a favorite — they’re a must-have in the speech therapy world.

Bubbles motivate like nothing else.

Bubbles are magic in a bottle. When that first shiny sphere floats through the air, kids light up — especially toddlers and early communicators. Whether they’re popping them, chasing them, or just staring in wide-eyed wonder, bubbles instantly capture attention.

And when a child is motivated, they’re more likely to engage, try new sounds, use words, and participate in the back-and-forth that builds communication.

They encourage shared attention.

To communicate effectively, a child needs to notice what another person is doing, follow their lead, and show interest in the same thing — this is called joint attention.

Blowing bubbles creates a perfect opportunity for this kind of interaction. Kids look at the adult, then the bubbles, then back again. They’re excited. They’re waiting. They’re engaged. And all of that builds the foundation for meaningful connection and language development.

Bubbles are the ultimate tool for turn-taking.

“Your turn!”
“My turn!”
“More?”
“Ready… set… GO!”

Bubbles naturally create opportunities to practice taking turns, making requests, using gestures or signs, and building anticipation. All of these are building blocks of early speech and social communication.

It’s not just play — it’s purposeful.

They help with oral motor development.

Blowing bubbles requires breath control, lip rounding, and sometimes even tongue movement — all helpful for building strength and coordination for speech sounds.

Plus, when kids imitate the adult blowing or try to blow bubbles themselves, they’re learning how to coordinate breathing with movement, which is an important skill for talking.

Bubbles bring the sensory fun.

They sparkle. They float. They pop! Bubbles provide gentle sensory input that many kids find calming or exciting (or both!). They engage visual tracking, fine motor skills (popping with a finger!), and can even help regulate emotions during transitions or challenging tasks.

Bonus: some kids love bubble popping but don’t love sticky hands. That’s a great opportunity to work on tolerating new textures in a low-stress, joyful way.

They make speech therapy feel like play — because it should be.

The most effective therapy for young children doesn’t look like work. It looks like play, joy, and shared laughter. Bubbles offer all of that in a tiny bottle — and help therapists build trust and connection while working on important skills.

When a child feels safe and happy, they’re more willing to try, to talk, and to grow. And when a bottle of bubbles helps make that happen? You can bet we’re stocking up.

So yes, we’re a little obsessed with bubbles.

We carry them everywhere. We stash them in drawers and tote bags. We’ve probably spilled them on ourselves more times than we can count. But we keep using them — because they work.

And if your child’s speech therapist is blowing bubbles during a session, know this: beneath those floating orbs is a whole lot of strategy, science, and heart.

Because every bubble popped is more than just a giggle — it’s a chance to connect, communicate, and celebrate the little wins that lead to big growth.