Easy to Clean Speech Therapy Ideas for School

If you’re like me and going to in-person therapy during this COVID pandemic, you’re probably looking for easy-to-clean speech therapy ideas.  I don’t want to be limited in the activities I can do or spend all day cleaning.  

Here are a few sanitary ideas that might come in handy as we venture into all new territory this school year.

Let’s look at some easy to clean speech therapy ideas for school-aged kids first! *May contain Amazon affiliate links.

1. Task cards in shoe holders

I’m always looking for ways to turn Super Duper cards or task cards into a game.  Here’s an easy one.  Set out a clear shoe holder and place cards inside the pockets.  Hide a sticker or little object behind one card.

Let the students use a pointer to choose a card and complete the task.  Whoever finds the “magic sticker” wins!  You can also use dry erase markers to play tic tac toe on the pockets.  🙂

I love this because kids don’t need to touch the cards to play.  It’s also easy to wipe the front of the clear shoe pockets and go!

2. Worksheets with craft bags

If I don’t have to clean something at all, that might be even better with my tight schedule.  By making individual craft bags, students can complete their worksheets or crafts and take them home.  They can practice them for homework and I don’t have to clean anything.  Win and win! Crafts just might be the way to go!

Use a Ziploc, mesh bag, or photo box and fill it with a few crayons, markers, pencils, scissors, and glue sticks.  I know funds are not always available, so it might be a good idea to request the supplies from parents at the beginning of the year.  Label them and keep them in the speech room, ready for when you need them!  Speaking of which, crafts just might be the way to go! They can have their own supplies and

3. Mini sensory bins with tongs

Man, do I miss sensory bins!  This year I’m going to use photo boxes and pencil boxes to create individual mini bins instead of one big sensory bin.  If you fill them with items that can be sprayed down or dumped into the wash bin, it can still be lots of fun for the students.

A few of my favorite easy-to-clean fillers are acrylic table scatter, vase fillers, reusable ice cubes, bingo chips, beads.  They can use tongs to fish out objects or cards.  When the session is over, they just remove the cards and dump the fillers into the wash tub to clean up.

4. Dry erase pouches over books

I love the idea of using dry erase pouches from Ashley at Sweet Southern Speech!  Use a dry erase pouch over your books to allow for interaction that’s easy to clean.  So smart! 

You should definitely check out the rest of her ideas for keeping things sanitary on her blog post.

5. Pointers for testing or books

I think I’m going to be using pointers a lot this year.  They are perfect to use for testing and much better than wiping down every page of a test booklet.  

Pointers are great in general for keeping germs at bay, especially with high touch tasks.  I got these at Target, but you can also snag some from Amazon…like these!

6. Digital products

If all else fails, go digital.  Many TPT sellers are adding digital options to many of their resources!  All of my task card sets currently have a digital component now.  You’ll also be able grab a digital version of my baseline data set really soon!

These are great to just pull up on your iPad or computer, then wipe it down after each use.

Other easy to clean speech therapy tricks of the trade:

• Keep a large wash tub handy! After a session is over, they can dump any toys they used into a plastic bin.
• Make cleaning up part of the therapy routine. If times allows, have the students help wash the toys and therapy items after the session. It’ll save you some time, plus help the students learn important life skills.
• Keep sanitation supplies within reach. I keep mine on the top of a cart right by my table, so I don’t have to go hunting for supplies.

These are just a few of my favorite easy to clean ideas for school age kids! Follow me on Instagram for lots more ideas that I’ll soon be sharing.

We’ll look at some easy to clean ideas for preschool in an upcoming post!