Adapting games for therapy is something therapist do all the time! My friend Megan and I have the same favorite game which is Cariboo! Enjoy this guest post by Megan Exner, MA, CCC-SLP, on using the game for articulation therapy. Cariboo is one of my favorite games to use in therapy sessions. I’ve had the most stubborn of kids participate in therapy, thanks to this game! However, I rarely use the cards that come with the game. I create insert cards (usually made with Boardmaker) to use, instead! This allows me to change the game depending on the goals my client is working on.
I use the old Cariboo version, with the bouncy balls. I ordered one online back in grad school, and recently I found one at Salvation Army for a mere $2. It was missing the balls, but a quick trip to Target fixed that. [If you find one that is missing a key, you can use a pencil, end of a paintbrush, etc.]
One easy way to edit the game for use in therapy is to make your own insert cards. Here are a few examples of articulation/phonology cards I’ve made:
I recommend laminating the cards. It makes it much easier to slide them in quickly before a kid comes for therapy. If you laminate the cards they do get a bit slippery. You might want to just put them on cardstock! Or tape the ones that slip! 
I see kids individually in a clinic setting, but you can also adapt the game when working with a group of children with different goals by inserting a mixture selected cards.
I’ve also created cards to address language goals, including verbs/actions, categories, descriptions, and prepositions. The possibilities are endless! I plan on sharing cards for those targets in the near future, as well.
Grab your free download here! Thanks Megan! Please note that they don’t make this exact version of Cariboo anymore, but you can still find it out there! It’s simply the best! I bought 3 this year at Goodwill and the parts added up to two full sets!
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Hi Jenna,
I found your blog through a friend of yours. I absolutely love it! Being the only speech therapist in my district, I could really use ideas! You have inspired me to start one of my own (just started it last week). I saw this post and have been using Cariboo Island since my student teaching. I use the new version of Cariboo so I posted the inserts that I use on my new blog: http://allisonspeechpeeps.blogspot.com/ .Hope people can find them helpful!
I’ve got several sets of cards on my Cariboo! My favorite thing to do is to use it for categorization skills – either having category names on top of doors and have kids name 3-4 things in a category before opening the door or having names of items and telling kids to find the “food.” I also use the items for describing!
http://speechtherapywithliz.blogspot.com/
I just got my first Cariboo, but I can’t seem to get these to print. Is there any way you can email me a copy? Thanks!
Let’s Talk Speech Therapy
Rachel
Love, love, love your site! Your are so creative but keep it simple. Thanks!
Thank you so much for sharing this. I have a 4 yr old who has articulation problems and this game would be something that she would love.
Thank you for sharing this. I also just purchased my first cariboo but for some reason can’t get them to print. Can you email me a copy if possible.
Thanks,
Natalie: tobynatdre@aol.com
Thank you for your great idea! I finally found Cariboo and it is as great as you say 🙂 Check out my blog post about it at http://speechymusings.wordpress.com/2012/11/30/cariboo/ I have a link back to you!
Thank you! I’m a homeschooler with three boys, all having various speech issues. This is wonderful.
MamaGoldenPeace
Thank you for making this template available!
Thank you for wonderful post I am SLPA that works with preschoolers I love your site
Love your blog entries! Just received my eBay ordered Cariboo game — so excited to bring in for the kids next week! I’m an SLP living in the UK (SLP title doesnt exist here, rather we are called Speech and Language Therapists — a big no-no where I’m from in NY!). I’ve never ownded my own Cariboo game and have been practicing for 10 years. Very excited today! Trying to air out the game as it clearly came from a smoker’s house. Pee-yew!!
Alyssa
Instagram: talk.withme
http://www.talkwithme.uk
Jenna, I’d love to buy these on TPT but didn’t find them in the store. Maybe I was looking in the wrong place? Anyway, if you send me the link you’ve got yet another purchase from me from your TPT store!
Thanks!
They aren’t in my store! 😉