K Words for Speech Therapy: 120+ K Words, Activities, Games

Natalie Fitzgerald
Speech Language Pathologist
01/27/25 | Last modified: 02/17/25

The “K” sound is a very important sound in spoken English, and is mastered by most children by 3-4 years of age. However, because /k/ is a velar sound, meaning a sound pronounced at the back of the mouth, it can be challenging for some children to produce. If you have concerns about your child’s ability to pronounce the /k/ sound, you may want to ask a professional speech-language pathologist for help. 

Many children who struggle to produce the /k/ sound substitute it with a “front” sound instead, typically “T.” For example, a child may say “tat” for “cat,” “tar” for “car,” or “bat” for “back.” These substitutions can make speech more difficult to understand and can cause communication breakdowns that lead to frustration.

In this article, we give a full list of /k/ words for speech therapy, including practice words, strategies, and activities. Our goal is to provide practical tools that make speech therapy not only productive but also enjoyable for both you and your child!

/K/ Word List by Position: 120+ Words

When you are practicing the /k/ sound, it’s important to use the sound in various word positions, meaning words beginning with /k/, words with /k/ in the middle, and words with /k/ at the end. Here, we’ve compiled a list of child-friendly /k/ words broken down by position so you can easily practice initial /k/ words, medial /k/ words, and final /k/ words at home. 

Word List: K Word Lists by Syllables

In addition to practicing /k/ in all the different word positions, it’s equally important to practice /k/ in words that are both long and short. Often, when your child is first learning the /k/ sound, practicing in shorter 1-2 syllable words will be easiest, but as they get better at the sound it’s good to continue to introduce longer and more complex words. 

Our second list of /k/ words breaks down the /k/ sound by syllables to help you make sure you’re choosing the best targets for your child. 

Further /K/ Word Practice: Short Phrases and Sentences

After your child is doing well using /k/ in all positions of a variety of words, it may be time to start working on using /k/ in short phrases in sentences. This encourages generalization of the /k/ sound beyond single words. 

Carrier Phrases for K Words

Starting out, you may want to try letting your child use /k/ words in short, predictable phrases, called “carrier phrases.” Carrier phrases allow your child to practice using the /k/ sound in initial, medial, and final positions in a more naturalistic way than single words alone. 

Examples of carrier phrases can include:

• I see a kite.
• I want a kitten.
• I like cartoons.
• Give me the locket.
• She has a rocket.
• He has a jacket.
• Look at the monkey.
• The lake is big. 

Short Phrases with K words

After working on carrier phrases containing /k/ words, trying short phrases using /k/ words can be the logical next stop. These phrases differ from carrier phrases in a few main ways: 1) They are not predictable and repetitive, and 2) They are usually not complete sentences and contain only 2-3 words. The purpose of practicing these types of phrases is to practice using words from the /k/ word lists in an increased variety of contexts. Examples of phrases you can practice with /k/ words include:

Short Sentences with K Words

Once your child is comfortably able to use the /k/ sound with short phrases, they may be ready to move on to new sentences. Allowing your child to practice the /k/ words in multiple contexts allows them to continue working towards mastery of /k/ in connected speech.

K Word Reading Practice

Reading practice is another fun and effective way to reinforce the /K/ sound in various positions. Books around your home or local library are filled with /k/ words your child can read with you. But, for more targeted /k/ word practice, we’ve compiled a collection of short, engaging stories and paragraphs designed to help kids practice initial, medial, and final /K/ words. These exercises encourage repetition and help children gain confidence in their articulation.

Initial /K/ Sound Practice

Kenny the cat loves to play with his friends at the park. He runs quickly and likes to kick the ball. One day, he found a shiny key under the tree and thought it might open a secret cave. He was so excited that he jumped and climbed up a tree!

Katie and her friend, Coco, went on an adventure to the castle in the woods. They climbed up the steep cliff and could see the clouds floating in the sky. After exploring the castle, they found a key on the ground and wondered what it might open. Coco giggled and said, “Maybe it will open a cupboard full of cookies!”

Medial /K/ Sound Practice

Max was making a coconut cake for his birthday party. He carefully measured out the chocolate chips and placed them on top of the cake. His little sister, Lily, helped by putting the bacon in the oven. As they waited for the cake to bake, they played with their favorite markers and drew some silly pumpkins.

Lucas loved making paper airplanes and often had competitions with his friends. One day, he created a rocket ship with his paper and looked as it flew through the air. Then, he and his friend, Rebecca, decided to build a rocket ship landing in the yard, using sticks and blankets as their base. The best part was when they used a basket to catch the rocket as it flew back to the ground.

Final /K/ Sound Practice

Max and his sister, Lily, went to the pond to see the duck family. As they approached, they heard a loud quack coming from the mother duck. Lily kicked her feet in excitement, ready to feed them some bread. Max set down his juice box and took a big drink, then ate some of the cake he had packed for their picnic. They both laughed as they tried to make the ducks kick their legs in the water. It was a perfect day at the pond.

Zoe loved playing with her toy truck in the backyard. She made it zoom over the rock, bouncing along the dirt path. Her brother, Jake, raced beside her with his own truck, trying to keep up. They both stopped near the dock by the pond and took a break. As they sat, they watched a bird fly past, and Zoe picked up a stick to throw for their dog. It was the perfect afternoon for a game of chase by the lake.

Games & Activities for K Words 

Incorporating games and activities into speech practice is a fun and effective way to reinforce the /k/ sound while keeping children engaged. Interactive learning helps improve pronunciation naturally and builds confidence in speech development. By integrating movement, creativity, and repetition, children can master the /k/ sound more easily.

/K/ Word Scavenger Hunt

How to play:

• Write down a list of words that contain the /k/ sound (e.g., cat, kite, cup, cake, car, key).
• Hide small objects or pictures representing these words around the room.
• Have the child find the items and say the word aloud each time they pick one up.
• For an extra challenge, ask them to use the word in a sentence.

“Kaboom” Game with /K/ Words

How to Play:

• Write /k/ words on small slips of paper and place them in a jar or bag.
• Include a few slips that say “Kaboom!”
• The child pulls a word from the jar, reads it aloud, and repeats it three times.
• If they pull a “Kaboom!” slip, they have to put all their words back and start again!
• The game continues until all the words have been said correctly.

/K/ Hopscotch

How to Play:

• Draw a hopscotch board with chalk outside or use tape indoors.
• Write a different /k/ word in each square.
• As the child hops into a square, they must say the word aloud before moving to the next.
• To make it more interactive, have them use the word in a short phrase or sentence.

Puppet Storytelling

How to Play:

• Use puppets or stuffed animals to create a short story using /k/ words (e.g., “The cat and the kangaroo went on a picnic with a cake”).
• Encourage the child to help tell the story, repeating the words with the /k/ sound.
• This activity fosters creativity and reinforces correct pronunciation in a playful way.

“Kitchen K” Cooking Fun

How to Play:

• Choose a simple recipe with ingredients that start with the /k/ sound, such as cookies, carrots, or corn.
• As you prepare the food together, emphasize the /k/ sound in each word.
• Have the child repeat the words multiple times while engaging in hands-on learning.

What are /K/ Words and How to Pronounce Them?

A /K/ word is a word that contains the /k/ sound, such as cat, kite, cup, and monkey. The /k/ sound is a voiceless velar stop, meaning that the back of the tongue rises to touch the soft palate (the roof of the mouth) before quickly releasing. This creates a crisp, explosive sound.

Many children struggle with the /k/ sound, especially when it appears at the beginning or end of words. Some may substitute it with a /t/ sound, saying “tat” instead of “cat” or “tup” instead of “cup.” Others might omit the sound entirely. These difficulties occur because the /k/ sound is made in the back of the mouth, which can be harder for young children to control.

Pronouncing the /K/ Word Sound 

To pronounce the /k/ sound correctly:

1. Tongue Position – The back of the tongue should lift to touch the soft palate (the back part of the roof of the mouth).
2. Air Release – The tongue quickly drops down, allowing air to burst out.
3. No Voice – The vocal cords remain relaxed, meaning the sound is voiceless (unlike the /g/ sound, which is voiced).

How to Help Your Child Produce the /K/ Sound Correctly

If your child has difficulty pronouncing the /k/ sound, try these simple techniques:

1. Use a Mirror – Have your child watch their tongue movement in a mirror as they practice. Show them how the back of the tongue lifts before releasing the sound.
2. Start with “Open Mouth” Sounds – Encourage your child to say “ahh” and then gently push the back of their tongue up to form the /k/ sound. This helps them feel where the sound is produced.
3. Cue with “Coughing” Sounds – Sometimes, mimicking a soft coughing motion (“k-k-k”) can help children find the correct tongue position.
4. Use Visual & Tactile Cues – Lightly touch your child’s throat and have them notice the absence of vibration when saying /k/ compared to /g/.
5. Backward Sound Training – If your child replaces /k/ with /t/, start by practicing the /k/ sound in the middle or end of words (e.g., “bake,” “book”) before moving to the beginning.
6. Engage in Play-Based Practice – Games like “Kaboom!” or “Scavenger Hunt” (outlined in this article) make speech practice more enjoyable and effective.

Using Forbrain to Practice K Words

Forbrain is an auditory stimulation headset designed to enhance speech, language, and cognitive skills through bone conduction technology. By amplifying and modifying the user’s voice in real-time, Forbrain helps individuals hear their speech more clearly and accurately, making it an excellent tool for practicing articulation, including the /k/ sound.

Forbrain can be particularly effective for children struggling with the /k/ sound because it:

• Increases Sound Awareness – The headset amplifies the user’s voice, making it easier to recognize and adjust mispronunciation.

• Strengthens Muscle Memory – Repeated practice with auditory feedback helps the brain and speech muscles remember the correct tongue placement.

• Encourages Clearer Speech – By refining how sounds are perceived and produced, Forbrain supports overall clarity in communication.

Final Words

Mastering the /k/ sound is an essential milestone in speech development, and with the right techniques, tools, and consistent practice, children can improve their articulation and confidence in communication. Whether through engaging games, targeted reading exercises, or innovative tools like Forbrain, every child can develop stronger speech skills in a fun and encouraging way.

If your child struggles with the /k/ sound, remember that progress takes time, and every small step counts. Consistent practice, positive reinforcement, and playful learning experiences will help make speech therapy more enjoyable and effective.

If concerns persist, consider seeking guidance from a speech-language pathologist for personalized support. With patience and persistence, your child will build the skills they need to communicate clearly and confidently!

Natalie Fitzgerald

-

Natalie is a licensed SLP who holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA. Additionally, Natalie is a Certified Autism Spectrum Clinical Specialist. She earned her Master's degree in speech and hearing sciences at the University of North Carolina. Natalie has worked with children of 1-21 years of age and has experience with a wide variety of speech and language disorders.

More Activities