Making ABA Fun: How to Keep Learning Engaging (and Maybe Even Hilarious)

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is all about learning, growth, and progress—but who says it can’t also be fun? While skill-building and behavior development are crucial, keeping sessions engaging helps children stay motivated, reduces frustration, and makes progress feel exciting instead of exhausting. Let’s be honest—if you’re not having at least a little fun, you’re probably doing it wrong.

Why Fun Matters in ABA

Imagine being asked to do a hundred flashcards in a row with zero breaks or excitement. Sounds dreadful, right? Now imagine doing those same flashcards while racing against a timer, pretending you’re a superhero, or earning rewards that actually matter to you (hello, extra screen time). Motivation fuels learning, and when kids enjoy what they’re doing, they’re more likely to stay engaged and retain new skills. Plus, happy learners = happy therapists. Win-win.

Ways to Make ABA Sessions Fun and Engaging

1. Turn Learning into a Game

Nobody likes drill work—but turn it into a competition, and suddenly, it’s game on! Try:

• Obstacle Courses: Need to practice following directions? Create a mini obstacle course where each step requires completing a skill. Bonus points if you dramatically cheer them on like a sports announcer.
• Time Challenges: Can they complete a task before the timer runs out? The thrill of a countdown can turn even the most mundane task into an exciting challenge.
• Board Games with a Twist: Classic games like Candy Land or Jenga can incorporate skill-building by adding personalized challenges for each turn.

2. Incorporate Interests and Obsessions

Every child has that one thing they’re obsessed with—dinosaurs, trains, superheroes, or even obscure facts about deep-sea creatures. Use this to your advantage:

• Create worksheets featuring their favorite characters.
• Turn math drills into a quest to “save the dinosaurs.”
• Let them “teach” you about their favorite topic in exchange for working on language skills.

3. Use Movement (Because Sitting Still is Overrated)

Sitting still for long periods? Not happening. Movement-based activities can make learning feel more natural:

• Play “Simon Says” for following multi-step directions.
• Use yoga or stretching as a fun way to practice imitation skills.
• Incorporate dancing for reinforcement (because everyone loves a good victory dance).

4. Make Reinforcement Worth It

If the reward for completing a task is something the child doesn’t care about, you’re fighting an uphill battle. Instead:

• Use reinforcers that actually motivate (stickers don’t work on everyone, but the chance to pick the next activity? That’s gold).
• Let them choose between a few preferred reinforcers (more autonomy = more buy-in).
• Mix up reinforcement strategies so rewards stay exciting.

5. Be Ridiculous (When Appropriate, of Course)

Laughter is a powerful teaching tool. Don’t be afraid to:

• Overreact when they get an answer right (“WHAT?! You got it?! Are you secretly a genius?!”).
• Use silly voices, funny hats, or unexpected surprises to keep their attention.
• Pretend to “struggle” with something they’ve mastered so they can correct you (they’ll love being the expert!).

Final Thoughts: Fun is NOT the Enemy of Learning

Some might worry that if therapy is too fun, it won’t be productive. But here’s the secret: The more engaged kids are, the more they want to participate, which means more learning happens naturally. ABA doesn’t have to feel like work—it can be an adventure, a challenge, and yes, even a little silly sometimes.

So, let’s embrace the fun, get creative, and remember: The best learning happens when everyone—kids and therapists included—is actually enjoying the process.

Need more ideas? Reach out! We love talking about creative ways to make ABA therapy engaging (and we’ll take any excuse to break out our superhero capes)