Play

Discover fun and creative ideas to encourage play time with toys, light play, music, multi-sensory activities and tactile art. Also find seasonal holiday crafts!

Filter by: Holiday Crafts and Ideas, Light Play, Music Play, Sensory Activities, Tactile Art, Toys

Halloween pumpkin

Holiday Crafts and Ideas

Kid-Friendly Halloween Songs

Did you know that there are some amazing kids musicians creating new Halloween classics that will really get you in the spirit? We've collected our top ten favorites and created...

Cajita

Music Play

The Cajita: A Little Box that is an Instrument

Daria tells you about the history of a fun instrument called a cajita and how to make one yourself out of simple materials.

Holiday Crafts and Ideas

No Therapies for a Month? Taking the Summer Off with Your Special Needs Child

When kids are out of school and therapies slow down, what do you do? Do you plan a vacation? Spend more time fishing with dad? Or feel guilty that your...

Battat Sound Puzzle Box

Toys

Battat Sound Puzzle Box

Every time you place a block in the correct hole, it slowly falls down the chute and makes a unique noise, so for kids with vision impairments there's some added...

Lamaze Chime Garden

Toys

Lamaze Chime Garden Musical Toy

Each flower makes a musical chime with just a soft tap. It's a very sweet sounding toy that doesn't take too much pressure to activate. It's a great way to...

Octotunes

Toys

Octotunes Musical Toy

Each leg on the octopus plays a different note when squeezed in a very airy and natural sound (this toy is not electronic so the sound is very peaceful). It...

Spin & Learn Top

Toys

Spin & Learn Top

The Spin & Learn Top is a simple toy that spins and lights up when you hit the plunger. The movement and lights are great for kids with low vision...

Jumpin' Jr Trampoline

Toys

Jumpin’ Jr Trampoline

Trampolines are a great way for little ones to gain some confidence on their feet. And this on is small enough for toddlers! Even if your child can't walk or...

Hungry Fingers logo

Braille and Literacy, Toys

Hungry Fingers Tactile Toys & Graphics

Hungry Fingers educational tools are designed to give visually impaired children the confidence that with poor vision, or even without sight, they can be in command of the space around...

Ivan playing with his can puzzle

Fine and Gross Motor, Toys

Make Your Own Can Puzzle!

If your child has a vision impairment or struggles with fine motor skills you may want to create a sorting puzzle that is simple. Most sorting puzzles have multiple shapes,...

Ivan playing on his piano

Music Play

Music & Development: Musical ways to engage developmentally disabled children

Learn what Music Therapy is, why it's an important part of your special needs child's arsenal of services, and how you can enhance your child's life at home by including...

Ivan with his sticky box

Behavior, Sensory Activities

Overcoming Tactile Sensitivity with a Sticky Box!

Collect sticky and gooey toys and throw them all in one box. You'll create a sensory toy that will help your child learn to love sticky things.

Pets Sound Puzzle

Braille and Literacy, Toys

Melissa & Doug Puzzles with Braille

Amazon now carries hand-crafted wooden sound puzzles from Melissa & Doug with braille! Choose from Farm Animals, Zoo Animals, Pets, Talking Shapes, and Vehicles.

puffy paint

Sensory Activities, Tactile Art

Puffy Paint Art Project

Learn how to make a puffy paint sensory art project with your blind child. It's easy and fun!

box

Music Play

The Cajon: A Box That’s a Drum That’s a Box!

Learn how to make your own Cajon, a box that's a drum that's a box!

parachute with kids running underneath

Toys, Visual Impairment

The Best Toys for Parties and Get Togethers for Kids who are Visually Impaired

Sometimes kids need a little help to get the party started, and that is exactly what party toys are for. We list here our favorite party toys for children who...

Ivan playing with his scented rattle

Sensory Activities, Toys

Make Your Own Scented Rattle!

It's so easy to make a rattle for your blind baby that also has its own unique smell. Teach your baby about cause and effect with the sound while you...

Ivan with his giant pegboard

Toys

Discovery Toys: Toys for Kids with Special Needs

Learn about fun toys from Discovery Toys and how they can encouraqge your blind or disabled child's development.

babies at music time

Music Play

Babies & Music: How to introduce your infant or young child to music

Learn how to introduce music to even the youngest infant, including those with special needs. All babies benefit from having music in their lives!

toy basket

Toys

Make Your Own Toy Basket!

All you really need is a basket and some toys and you're well on your way to creating a fun and educational toy for your visually impaired baby. Here's how...

A baby girl reaching out with her fingers

Music Play

Nursery Rhyme Hand Motions

Children love interactive songs, and kids who are blind or visually impaired can learn coordination, body awareness, rhythm, and teamwork. Watch these videos to learn the simple hand motions for...

Access Pass

Play, Special Needs

Free Access to National Parks for Visitors with Disabilities

National Park Service free Access Passes are accepted at all NPS parks and refuges, and cover some fees in the national forests as well. The filing fee for the Access...

Child playing an xylophone

Music Play, Visual Impairment

Are Blind Kids More Musically Inclined?

Adam Ockelford, Professor of Music, Roehampton University announced a study in 2010 that would focus on the relationship between musicality and retinopathy ofprematurity (ROP). This study follows up his similar...

pull toy

Toys

Make Your Own Recycled Pull Toy!

With some simple items pulled out of your recycle bin you can create your own pull toy that can help your child develop fine motor skills and hand strength.