Play and early years
- Tactile toys – feely bags, textured books, building blocks with Braille
- Sound-based play – musical instruments, audio stories, cause-and-effect toys
- Physical play – climbing frames with tactile markings, soft play, swimming
- Descriptive play – narrating what is happening so your child can join in
Making friends
Children with visual impairment may need support to:
- Find friends in a busy playground
- Join group games
- Read social cues they cannot see
- Explain their vision to others
Tips for parents:
- Arrange small playdates in familiar places
- Teach your child to say, "I cannot see that, can you tell me what is happening?"
- Ask the school to assign a buddy in the playground
Activities and clubs
Many organisations offer inclusive or specialist activities:
- Goalball – a Paralympic sport for visually impaired players
- Blind football – 5-a-side with a rattling ball
- Swimming – many pools offer disability sessions
- Drama and music – excellent for children who learn through sound
- Victa and RNIB – run family weekends and youth clubs
Travel and days out
- Ask venues about audio description tours
- Look for tactile exhibits in museums
- Use RNIB Maps (tactile and audio maps)
- Tell staff about your child's needs — most are happy to help
Online safety
Children with visual impairment may be more vulnerable online:
- Use parental controls and screen reader-safe filters
- Talk about what information is private
- Encourage them to tell you if something feels wrong