Christmas gift ideas for blind children(self.Blind)
submitted by IndividualYou
Hi, Reddit! I am in dire need of assistance.
As a Christmas tradition, the association I‘m in does fundraising events and then buys Christmas present for children in placement homes. This year, the placement home we are working with has informed us that it hosts visually-impaired children, and that most of them are blind. I am at a bit of a loss here, as i am not sure what presents would be appropriate. We‘ve asked the director and she said that sweets and fruits would suffice, but I feel like that would be a bit underwhelming. I would really appreciate it if you could point me in the right direction or share any ideas. Thank you in advance!
igloolafayette6 points3y ago
Small, fun instruments like the kalimba, harmonica, ukelele.
codeplaysleep4 points3y ago
LEGO, PlayDoh, any kind of building toy, many craft kits could work, electronic toys like Bop-It or Simon can also be fun (you don't need to see to play Simon, since the tones are all different and you can hear which quadrant of the toy they're coming from). Basically any toy/activity that's tactile in nature.
You could also maybe get kid's audio books on CD, or look for movies on DVD that have audio descriptions if the home has the ability to play them.
Prefect3163 points3y ago
Auditory things were very great for me as a totally blind child. My favorite was Tickle Me Elmo, BopIt when I was a little older, and audio books on tape. These days you could probably load up a cheap mp3 player or CD with kids audio books. (Chicka-Chicka-Boom-Boom was my favorite book when I was 4) .
Playdough and lego are great as well as someone else already mentioned.
Just imagine: Would this thing be fun for me with my eyes closed?
bluefox13943 points3y ago
Large shaped beads and paracord for them to make necklaces/bracelets/key chains. It’s fun for them and it helps their tactile skills.
As mentioned above, Simon or bop-it were big favorites at the blind/low vision a after school program I use to volunteer with.
TwistyTurret3 points3y ago
There’s lots of Braille versions of well known card and board games.
FantasticGlove1 points3y ago
I am totally blind and when I was a kid, I really enjoyed toys that made sounds. I loved Bop-it and Simon in fact, during summer camp, bop-it was so popular that it was almost banned because kids would get into scraps with each other over it. Ah, good times. Anyway, if you get anything that has sound or electronic components like robots, kids will love you.
bluejellyfish521 points3y ago
Squishies work for me (partially blind 18 year old who has severe anxiety) they are soft, and don’t have small parts. You can even smell them. They come with textures on some them (dots of rubber or something, I’ve seen them at Target). I think clay or play doh or slime. Maybe putty? for older kids, maybe musical instruments (like a cheap guitar or a recorder). I’ve been playing cello and guitar for 10 years, you don’t have to be sighted to do it. I also could recommend maybe not LEGO but the larger ones for younger kids. Old keys on a ring (they make a different sound than keys today) tactile Rubik’s cube. There’s toys blind kids can use if you’re looking for them.
BlueRock9561 points3y ago
Could you take them fruit and sweets as well? This may be something that the place cannot purchase easily because of how funds are spent. For example, in the program I work in, I can buy toys for children, but I cannot buy candy for them.
IndividualYou [OP]1 points3y ago
Yes! We are buying sweets and fruit, but at the same time we wanted something more special besides them.
KillerLag1 points3y ago
Depending on the age, something soft like a teddy bear or other plushies.
gwynaweird1 points3y ago
There is a tactile Rubik's cube now too.
aaphroditus1 points3y ago
let’s keep in mind there are bound to be some kids with multiple disabilities as well as visual impairment, so whatever you get should be simple, no small parts, easy to manipulate with hands, and also if you do choose food maybe check for food allergies first? the kids i work with (ages 4-8) all have multiple disabilities and so many can’t have specific foods or can’t have solid foods, so bringing candy can often leave them feeling excluded. however, they just adore music toys, not necessarily instruments but toys that make sounds or music when you press simple buttons or turn knobs. if any of the kids have autism/other issues that make them sensitive to sensory input and visual impairment, anything that makes repetitive, unique sounds is really great. one kid LOVES keys and bolts, will just sit and hold a ring of keys to his ear and listen for as long as possible. basically the point is sound/music is great!! also other sensory toys like slime, play-do, kinetic sand, or clay are great too. best of luck!
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