Fun, therapist-approved oral motor exercises—like bubble blowing and straw sipping—can help toddlers quickly strengthen mouth muscles, easing feeding issues, reducing drooling, and improving speech clarity. Here’s how to try them at home.
What’s the best oral motor exercise for toddlers at home?
Bubble blowing and straw sipping games are two of the easiest, therapist-recommended oral motor exercises for toddlers. They build mouth strength and are fun to do daily!
Is your toddler constantly chewing on clothes or toys, or having a tough time with certain foods? If mealtimes feel more like meltdowns, or speech delays have you wondering what to do next, you’re not alone. Many parents worry about oral development but aren’t sure where to start.
Just ask Connor’s mom—she used to dread mealtimes. But within a few weeks of simple oral motor play, Connor was chewing soft veggies and blowing bubbles with joy.
The good news? There are fun, effective oral motor exercises you can do at home to support your child’s development—and they’re therapist-approved. This guide will help you understand oral motor development and walk you through simple techniques to try today.
🔍Uplift Therapy Center – A trusted pediatric occupational therapy practice based in La Cañada Flintridge, known for expert-led oral motor interventions, personalized family care, and consistent therapist partnerships.
Why Oral Motor Exercises Matter
Quick Answer: Oral motor exercises, like bubble blowing and straw sipping, help toddlers build stronger mouth muscles for speech and feeding. Practiced consistently, these playful techniques can improve chewing, reduce drooling, and support clearer speech within weeks.
Oral motor skills refer to the strength, coordination, and movement of the muscles in the jaw, lips, tongue, and cheeks. These muscles play a key role in everyday activities like eating, drinking, speaking, and even breathing.
When these muscles are underdeveloped or poorly coordinated, toddlers may struggle with:
- Chewing and swallowing certain textures
- Drooling or pocketing food
- Delayed speech or unclear sounds
- Oral sensory-seeking behaviors (e.g., biting, mouthing objects)
As pediatric occupational therapists, we’ve seen how consistent oral motor practice—woven into playful daily routines—can spark real progress. It’s not about perfection. It’s about helping your child feel confident and capable with every small step forward.
Studies show that consistent oral motor therapy can significantly improve speech articulation and safe chewing in just a few weeks (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2020). In fact, a 2020 study published in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics found that toddlers who participated in structured oral motor interventions showed a 28% improvement in chewing efficiency and a 21% increase in speech sound clarity after just 6 weeks of consistent practice.
Signs Your Toddler Might Benefit from Oral Motor Support
Some red flags that may signal a need for oral motor support include:
- Preferring only soft or pureed foods
- Gagging or coughing frequently during meals
- Difficulty blowing bubbles or drinking from a straw
- Avoiding toothbrushing or having a sensitive gag reflex
- Biting non-food objects (clothing, toys, etc.)
According to a 2022 report by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), nearly 1 in 4 toddlers with feeding difficulties also show signs of delayed oral motor development, reinforcing the importance of early intervention.
Developmental progress markers to watch:
- By ~18 months – should blow bubbles, purse lips
- By ~2 years – sip through straw, make “fish lips”
- Beyond – begin chewing firm textures and repeating sounds
If you notice one or more of these signs, it might be time to try some structured exercises—or consult a pediatric occupational therapist for guidance. Uplift Therapy Center offers professional assessments and family-centered therapy plans, designed with warmth, clarity, and collaboration at the core.
➡️ Worried if your child is showing some of these signs? Talk to a therapist at Uplift for a friendly, free 15-minute consult.
10 Fun & Easy Oral Motor Exercises for Toddlers
Here are therapist-recommended activities you can try at home to strengthen different oral muscles. Make it playful, keep sessions short, and always follow your child’s cues.
Warm-up Tip: Use a vibrating toothbrush or soft oral massage to gently prepare the lips, jaw, and tongue before exercises—especially helpful for sensitive toddlers.
Parent Tip: Model each exercise in front of a mirror. When your toddler sees you do it first, they’re more likely to engage and have fun!
1. Bubble Blowing
How to Do Bubble Blowing Oral Motor Exercise (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Pour bubble solution into a shallow container.
Step 2: Hand your toddler a bubble wand or straw.
Step 3: Demonstrate blowing gently to create bubbles.
Step 4: Encourage turn-taking or count “blows” together.
Step 5: Celebrate effort with high-fives or a sticker.
- Builds: Lip rounding, breath control
2. Straw Drinking Games
- Builds: Sucking strength, cheek muscles
- Offer thick smoothies or applesauce through a straw. Try different widths for variation.
3. Whistle Time
- Builds: Lip control and breath regulation
- Use toy whistles, harmonicas, or even party blowers.
4. Lollipop Push-Ups
- Builds: Tongue elevation and lateralization
- Have your toddler lick or push a lollipop to their nose, chin, and each corner of their mouth.
5. Fish Lips & Silly Faces
- Builds: Lip closure and awareness
- Encourage your child to make exaggerated faces: kissy lips, puffed cheeks, fish faces.
6. Chewy Snacks
- Builds: Jaw strength
- Try dried fruits, bagels, or chewy veggie sticks. Always supervise.
7. Toothbrush Taps
- Builds: Oral tolerance and sensory input
- Use a soft baby toothbrush to tap lips, tongue, and cheeks.
8. Tongue Push & Touch
- Builds: Tongue strength and precision
- Ask your child to touch their tongue to a spoon, the roof of their mouth, or their chin.
9. Sound Repetition Games
- Builds: Oral motor planning
- Practice fun syllables like “puh-puh,” “tuh-tuh,” and “kuh-kuh” in rhythm with claps.
10. Oral Sensory Play
- Builds: Sensory tolerance and muscle activation
- Explore textured teethers, vibrating toothbrushes, or at-home sensory activities.
How Often Should You Practice?
Parent Wondering: “Should I do oral exercises right before a meal?”
Answer: Yes—short sessions before meals can kickstart muscle readiness and make eating smoother.
Aim for 5–10 minutes of oral play, 2–3 times a day. Short sessions tied to existing routines (after brushing teeth, before meals, etc.) work best. Consistency is more important than duration.
A pilot study in the International Journal of Pediatric Therapy found that toddlers who practiced targeted oral motor exercises three times per week for six weeks showed measurable gains in tongue mobility and lip closure efficiency (IJPT, 2021).
If you’re a busy parent juggling everything, know that even brief, joyful moments matter. You’re doing more than you think.
➡️ Need help fitting exercises into your daily routine? Contact Us at Uplift for Help and to stay consistent and encouraged.
When to Seek Professional Help
If oral motor issues persist despite trying exercises at home—or if you’re unsure what’s developmentally appropriate for your toddler—it might be time to consult a professional.
Watch for signs like ongoing feeding struggles, speech delays, or extreme oral sensitivity. A pediatric occupational therapist can help assess whether your child’s development is on track and offer supportive strategies tailored to their needs.
➡️ Want some clarity on your child’s next steps? Reach out to Uplift Therapy Center for a friendly, no-pressure consultation.
Let’s Build Confident Kids Together
Every child is unique—and so is their developmental journey. With a little playful effort, you can support your toddler’s speech, feeding, and confidence right from home.
Need a helping hand? Contact Uplift Therapy Center to schedule a free 15-minute consultation and learn how our experts can partner with you.
We’re here to celebrate the small wins with you—every bubble blown, every bite taken, every giggle during a silly face.
FAQ: Oral Motor Exercises for Toddlers
Q1: Are oral motor exercises safe for all toddlers?
Yes, but always supervise your child. Skip any activity that causes distress.
Q2: Can these exercises help with speech delays?
They can support foundational muscle skills, but a comprehensive evaluation is best for diagnosing speech delays.
Q3: Do I need special tools?
No! Most activities use everyday items like straws, spoons, and snacks.
Q4: What if my toddler resists?
Try making it a game or offering choices. If resistance persists, seek a therapist’s support.
Q5: How soon will I see progress?
Consistency is key. Some changes may appear in weeks, while others take longer.
