If you're finding toy shopping for a child with vision impairment challenging, here are some pointers from RNIB's Play Guide to help. When choosing toys look out for:
1. Good colour and tone contrast
Toys that fit this description may help a child with tracking (using the senses to follow an object) and hand-eye co-ordination (using the hands and eyes together to perform tasks).
Buy Fat Brain Little Brainies Play Tab Essential for £35.00
2. Lettering that's bold and clear
Children with vision impairment might need extra support to understand and create letters and words and link those words to concepts. Choosing toys with clear lettering is a step in the right direction.
Buy Monsters in My Maths Book for £11.00
3. Interesting textures and tactile variety
Some toys look like they offer different textures, but actually feel similar. For example, felt and velvet – test for yourself to see if the textures add interest and variety.
4. A scented feature
When buying scented products keep in mind that some scents can be calming (lavender, rose, and vanilla, for example), while others (citrus, mint, or cinnamon) can be stimulating.
Buy Calming Heart Care Bear – scented, 35cm plush for £20.00
5. Light up, reflective or fluorescent elements
All these elements make it easier for a child with vision impairment to engage with the toy. If you're unsure what works for your child, you may be able to borrow items from a local toy library to try before you buy.
Buy Fubbles Light-Up Bubble Torch for £10.00
6. Audio features
These toys can encourage independent play by helping a child track and find a toy by sound. Toys that make a sound or have other cues when an action is performed can help develop awareness of cause and effect. Some even have audio challenges and games.
7. Toys which encourage physical play
Encourage movements such as reaching, stretching, running or jumping with audible balls and toys you can push, for example a toy pushchair. Audible balls that can be followed across the floor can help a child track speed and distance and encourage motor skills and balance.
Buy Butterfly bell ball, size 5 from £25.00
8. Toys which encourage social and imaginative play
Children love to impersonate their grown-ups, so a pretend phone, toy kitchen or shop are always popular. And they're not just learning about social interactions; these toys also encourage motor skills and hand-eye co-ordination.
Buy On The Go Phone for £13.00
9. Play which encourages creativity
Drawing, painting, crafting and modelling allow children to express themselves. If your child needs a tactile element to do this, consider a colouring pack, with raised, bold lines. Alternatively, they can create their own tactile drawings using embossing film, a rubber mat and an inkless pen or embossing tool.
For modelling on a budget, you can whip up a batch of salt dough, or let them enjoy the feel and smell of scented kinetic sand for more temporary creations.
Buy Scented kinetic sand – ice cream treats for £16.00
10. Puzzles to solve
Combine motor skills, pattern recognition, and logical thinking by providing puzzle-based play. Little ones may enjoy That's Not My…My First Match It Game – Animals with 12 two-piece animal jigsaws and touchy-feely textured patches or a Gruffalo floor puzzle with extra-large pieces for little hands, for example.
Buy Zog & other stories: floor puzzle for £7.50
11. For more than one player…
Playing with others encourages the development of social skills and builds bonds. It can be as easy as playing Snap! with large print and braille playing cards, or with jumbo-sized picture cards. Accessible versions of popular games can also be found – Tactile Connect 4 (the red coins can be distinguished from the yellow by touch); braille or large print Scrabble (as well as the tiles being accessible, the board has a grid to keep tiles in place and can be easily rotated to make it easier to read); and tactile magnetic Ludo (tactile and braille elements make it inclusive, and magnetic pieces make it easier to play).
