Do you have any ideas for outdoor play at home for a child with vision impairment?

Outdoor play is important for all children, including children with vision impairment. It provides real life, concrete experiences from which they learn about the world around them. It helps them face challenges and take risks and provides the perfect opportunity to have fun with friends and stay active. 

Make sure the space is safe and that all children are aware of dangers like ponds and steps. Create familiar reference points to help them know where they are in the garden. 

Paddling pools and sand pits can provide a lot of tactile fun. For example, plastic toys can be played with in the pool and the sand pit. You can use the water to pretend paint a path or fence or do a ‘toy wash’ creating lots of bubbles. 

Remember care must be taken when playing with sand. Never leave a child unsupervised near water. 

Gardens are a great way to safely explore nature. Organisations such as RSPB have free downloadable guides for creative ways to encourage wildlife into your garden. Visit www.rspb.org.uk for more details. 

Gardens are also good for ball games like football and skittles and other sports please see How can I encourage my child with vision impairment to be active? 

Further information on outdoor play including playing in mud, sand and water, nature activities and gardening can be found in our Messy and Muddy play guide: www.rnib.org.uk/messy 

RNIB Specialist Advice Service Advisors can give further information on this topic