Cheerful Christmas Gift Ideas for Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired – 1 to 5 Years Old
Buying a gift for a child with a visual impairment or a child who is blind can be much easier than you think. Remember, play is something that all children enjoy. Here is a gift guide that is affordable and makes finding the perfect gift easier to find than you may think. The toys listed are meant for kids aged 1 to 5 years old; check our blog regularly for more age groups and helpful gift suggestions.
Wonderful Walkers and Ride-Ons
A child with a visual impairment or who is blind are busy exploring their environment, but they still needing some added supports. Fun walkers and ride-on toys are a great addition to any shopping list. Here are some that provide added support, encourage learning and play.
- VTech Sit-to-Stand Alphabet Train – Age 1-3
This Alphabet Train combines floor play with a walker and ride-on options. It comes with 26 double-sided alphabet letter blocks, which has the letter on one side and a related word on the other (easy to label with a braille label-maker). The VTech Sit-to-Stand Alphabet Train also has a 12-page interactive alphabet book featuring alphabets and words. Each of these pages is water-resistant; so you don’t have to worry about spills on the book. With a motion sensor to activate lively songs and fun phrases. This sit-to-stand train can be played in three different modes, including floor play mode, walker mode and ride-on mode. The VTech Alphabet Train is designed to entertain as well as educate your child, it is plastic for easy wipe-down and braille labels can be added to the printed letters and words. The solid base allows for a child to get on and off easily and the contrasting colors allow for a child with low vision to navigate the play options. $32 – Where to Buy Sit-to-Stand Alphabet Train by VTech
- Fisher-Price Rock, Roll ‘n Ride Trike – Age 1-5
This sturdy trike offers kids three fun ways to ride. The base locks in place for ride-on, rocking fun. This mode allows vestibular stimulation and reciprocal coordination of pedaling practice (without moving) as your child develops. As your child becomes more secure, the base converts to an extra long parent handle so you can comfortably stroll behind your child, offering a helpful hand while they learn to pedal and steer. You are able to still have the control of guiding your child as they have the independence of pedaling and taking the lead. When they’re ready to ride on their own, the handle removes, the seat adjusts, and the foot pegs fold up for easy, independent pedaling. $36 – Where to Buy Rock, Roll and Ride Trike by Fisher-Price
More Roaming Ride-Ons
As children get older they want to explore more and keep up with their peers. Here are some more ride-ons that are certain to please an exploring child while keeping them safe. Always stay up to date on the age guides for helmets and toys.
- Little Tikes Learn to Turn Scooter – Age 2-4
This scooter is easy for a child to steer and balance on. The dual front wheels provide a wide base-of-support with greater room for play in the steering system. This means that a child has more support, better control of the steering and is afforded more time for fun. $30 Learn to Turn Scooter by Little Tikes
- Radio Flyer Big Flyer – Age 2-7
Little ones will have plenty of fun riding to their next adventure on the Radio Flyer Big Flyer. This chopper-style tricycle features a seat that can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate children of different sizes or to grow right along with an individual kid. The Radio Flyer Big Flyer has one big front wheel with performance grip tread that clinches the road and measures 16″ in diameter. It also comes with two smaller slick rear wheels, each measuring 7″, that offer the necessary stability while riding around curved paths. A racing pendant gives the trike greater visibility so others can see your child approaching more readily. Remember, if your child has low vision or is blind they might not know if a car is approaching. A bright flag and colors can signal a car that your child is present. $50 Big Flyer bike by Radio Flyer
Stimulating Sensory Gifts
Sensory exploration is an important part of childhood development and even more important in a child with a visual impairment or a child who is blind. Here are some sensory toys that allow for play, stimulation and growth.
- Play-Doh Fun Factory – Age 3 and up
Six tubs of Play-Doh, brightly colored molds and imagination can fill a child’s day with creative, sensory and fine motor play. Bilateral coordination is encouraged through rolling and molding the doh. For a child with low vision the brightly colored doh and molds are easy to play with and allow for a clearer view of shapes, animals and designs. A child who is blind can increase their dexterity and identification of items through tactile Play-Doh play. $18 – Where to Buy Play-Doh Fun Factory playset by Hasbro
- Mega Bloks First Builders Deluxe Set – Age 1-5
The brightly colored stackable and interlocking blocks are easy for a child with low vision or blindness to identify and maneuver. $30 – Where to Buy First Builders Deluxe Set by Mega Bloks
- Kinetic Sand – Age 3 and up
Kinetic Sand allows a child to mold vibrantly colored sand. The box provides a tactile boundary to contain the sand and the molds are made of bright contrasting colors. Sticks to itself but to the child. It never dries out so there is less waste. Oozes, moves & melts for the ultimate tactile play. $20 Wackytivities Kinetic Sand Beach Box Set by Spin Master
Making The World A More Playable Place For Children Who Are Blind
Shopping for a child who has a visual impairment or a child who is blind is no different than shopping for a child who has their sight. Learn the child’s interests and look for toys that meet their wants. Some modification might be needed but overall most toys are appropriate for all children. Follow the age and safety guidelines and your gift is certain to be a hit.
Braille Works is committed to “Making the World a More Readable Place™” and wants to assist in making it a more playable place for your child. Please share other toys that you think will benefit our readers in the comments section below.
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