The Toys That Fill Our Playroom

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August is 15 months old and vision impaired. He does very well with his glasses but I still find him searching for toys based on memory versus with his eyes. My heart hurt as I walked up and down the aisles of Lakeshore Learning this past Saturday. You could see the guilt on the employees faces when I asked if they had any toys that would be intriguing for a visually impaired or blind toddler. The simple answer was no – but they didn’t want to say that. Instead one of the ladies walked the aisles with me to try and find something I would be satisfied with. Tactile cards made out of cardboard? Great idea for a typically developing child but not for my son. August still mouths everything just as most VI kids do. Tactile books? We have a lot, all with braille which these obviously didn’t have. Circular dominoes? Huge choking risk. Mirrored sensory Balls? Now this one I was actually excited about. I had seen a similar set online that sparked all the senses. This set was only for visual stimulation as the “sensory” part was that they were a shiny chrome. Another miss. In the end, I left with several things my other 3 kiddos would love, but nothing for August to enjoy. This is typically how in person shopping goes when it comes to my sensory seeking little guy. If it is this hard for me with my 15 month old, I cant imagine how much harder it is for parents of significantly more special needs/developmentally delayed children.

We do seem to be the odd ones out. Most parents I have talked to, as well as lists Ive seen for our special kiddos, are big propagators of noise making/light up toys. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, it just isn’t what we prefer. I love the Montessori method. We strive to give our kids educational, natural, fun toys that will not only keep them busy but also stimulate their curiosity for the world around them. When August was diagnosed I did come to terms with the fact that we would most likely be introducing some of these battery operated toys but so far we haven’t found any he is enticed by. His siblings go nuts every time I bring one home. This list is for the parents and caregivers who are spending countless hours searching the internet for the “perfect toy” for their special child. Something that is engaging, while being “age appropriate”, and educational. An impossible task? Maybe. Here are some of what I consider our unicorn toys.

  1. Constructive Playthings Mega Pegboard

This thing is neat! The pegs are brightly colored and about the size of a toddlers fist. Absolutely no chocking risk and very easy to find when dropped.

Mega Peg Board: Amazon Link

Picture is of a large pegboard. The pegboard has a clear plastic front with 100 holes. The frame is made out of yellow pipes and is similar to that of a three dimensional triangle. our sitting area. The flooring is honey colored wood that leads into brown carpeting. in the background you can see a red sitting chair on the wood flooring and a bookshelf filled with miscellaneous toys and braille board books.
Picture is of a large pegboard. The pegboard has a clear plastic front with 100 holes. The frame is made out of yellow pipes and is similar to that of a three dimensional triangle. our sitting area. The flooring is honey colored wood that leads into brown carpeting. in the background you can see a red sitting chair on the wood flooring and a bookshelf filled with miscellaneous toys and braille board books.
Picture is of two 15 month babies playing with the previously mentioned peg board. One is sitting wearing blue glasses and a dinosaur T-shirt and green romper with white stars. The other is standing next to the board with a yellow onesie. Both are facing away from the camera. On the floor next to the sitting baby is a bin filled with multi colored pegs. The pegs are about the size of a toddlers fist. In the background you can see a red sitting chair and beige rocking chair with a lamp between the two.
Picture is of two 15 month babies playing with the previously mentioned peg board. One is sitting wearing blue glasses and a dinosaur T-shirt and green romper with white stars. The other is standing next to the board with a yellow onesie. Both are facing away from the camera. On the floor next to the sitting baby is a bin filled with multi colored pegs. The pegs are about the size of a toddlers fist. In the background you can see a red sitting chair and beige rocking chair with a lamp between the two.

2. A Play Kitchen and Food

I am 26 years old and I still enjoy playing with my kids and the play kitchen. All of my kids enjoy it. August’s favorite part currently is beating the toy pots with spoons. He does sometimes serve me “food” at the play table but quickly takes it away and laughs.

Our Play Kitchen: Amazon Link

Our Play Food: Amazon Link

A pink and white theme corner Kidkraft brand play kitchen sits atop puzzle foam floor tiles that are red purple and blue. The refrigerator door is open with August sitting in front of it and Aria standing. Both babies are wearing yellow onesies, August is wearing blue shorts and Aria is wearing pink. There are miscellaneous kitchen accessories such as play food in the refrigerator and pots and pans hanging. This picture was taken on their first birthday.
A pink and white theme corner Kidkraft brand play kitchen sits atop puzzle foam floor tiles that are red purple and blue. The refrigerator door is open with August sitting in front of it and Aria standing. Both babies are wearing yellow onesies, August is wearing blue shorts and Aria is wearing pink. There are miscellaneous kitchen accessories such as play food in the refrigerator and pots and pans hanging. This picture was taken on their first birthday.
A pink and white theme corner Kidkraft brand play kitchen with a 2.5 year old and 1 year old standing pretending to cook together. The 2.5 year old, Hayden, is wearing a blue shirt and stirring a pumpkin in a pan. August is wearing a yellow striped onesie and blue shorts reaching over to help stir the pumpkin.
A pink and white theme corner Kidkraft brand play kitchen with a 2.5 year old and 1 year old standing pretending to cook together. The 2.5 year old, Hayden, is wearing a blue shirt and stirring a pumpkin in a pan. August is wearing a yellow striped onesie and blue shorts reaching over to help stir the pumpkin.
August is wearing a yellow and white striped onesie and blue shorts. The front of the onesie has the stencil of a long neck dinosaur with a baby long neck dinosaur on its back. Above the dinosaurs reads, “I really look up to my Papa”. August is looking toward the camera while excitedly holding up play red grapes in one hand and a slice of play bread in the other. He is kneeling on a foam puzzle floor. The foam tile he is on is purple.

3. Foam Climbing Furniture

This one is a bit of a touchy subject. I wont go into all the details but I am an original Kickstarter backer for a product called The FORT. They are under a lot of scrutiny at the moment for failure to deliver as well as unsafe products. Our products do have a few issues but luckily due to my sewing skills I have been able to mostly fix them. Anyways – there are tons of options in this area. We have The FORT, but there are tons of brands. Nugget, Figgy, Dundy, Foamnasium, Okoelli(special needs discount!!!), the list goes on and on. August has hypertonia. Too much muscle mass. This presents mostly as lack of coordination and muscle spasms. He is big into large motor play and climbing. He also loves the sensory feedback foam furniture gives as his body squishes into it.

Our purple and blue FORT pieces are being used in a stairs style build. The stairs lead up to a window. 3 children are standing at the top looking out. From left to right is Annabelle, who is wearing a purple sweatshirt with grey pants and red socks. August who is wearing a navy on teal striped long sleeve romper. Aria who is wearing a white T-shirt with yellow floral pajama bottoms. The floor is a rainbow of 2 foot by 2 foot foam puzzle tiles.
Our purple and blue FORT pieces are being used in a stairs style build. The stairs lead up to a window. 3 children are standing at the top looking out. From left to right is Annabelle, who is wearing a purple sweatshirt with grey pants and red socks. August who is wearing a navy on teal striped long sleeve romper. Aria who is wearing a white T-shirt with yellow floral pajama bottoms. The floor is a rainbow of 2 foot by 2 foot foam puzzle tiles.
Picture is of the baby area of our playroom. Inside you can see a tower made out of our purple and blue FORT pieces. Squares, triangles and arches come together in this build. It is around 7 feet high and 6 feet wide. Off to the right you see our pink and white Kidkraft kitchen and espresso brown kids table. To the left you see a white cubicle style shelf holding various toys. Between the camera and FORT you see a teal and natural wood colored pikler and arch climbing set with a board to connect them.
Picture is of the baby area of our playroom. Inside you can see a tower made out of our purple and blue FORT pieces. Squares, triangles and arches come together in this build. It is around 7 feet high and 6 feet wide. Off to the right you see our pink and white Kidkraft kitchen and espresso brown kids table. To the left you see a white cubicle style shelf holding various toys. Between the camera and FORT you see a teal and natural wood colored pikler and arch climbing set with a board to connect them.

4. Pikler Triangle

This was bought for Annabelle and Hayden who were at the time 4 and 1.5 respectively. They used it maybe a week…it was very frustrating. Even on sale this was a pretty penny. Needless to say I was delighted the day my twins decided it was meant for them. They love to climb, slide, and hide in it. While I wont recomend the brand we bought as it has not held up well to play and came with less than stellar quality materials – I would recommend this brand. The Happymoon adjustable system is drool worthy in my opinion. If I wasn’t such a deal shopper it is the one I would have bought. We went with the other since it came with the arch as well.

Happy Moon Adjustable Pikler: Etsy Link

Picture is of the baby section of our play area. In the middle of the picture is a teal and natural wood colored pikler and arch climbing set with a board to connect them. The floor is a rainbow of 2 foot by 2 foot foam puzzle tiles. In the backround to the left you can see our pink and white Kidkraft corner kitchen. To the left is the espresso brown kids table. In the middle in the inside of our garage door as our playroom is a converted double car garage.
Picture is of the baby section of our play area. In the middle of the picture is a teal and natural wood colored pikler and arch climbing set with a board to connect them. The floor is a rainbow of 2 foot by 2 foot foam puzzle tiles. In the backround to the left you can see our pink and white Kidkraft corner kitchen. To the left is the espresso brown kids table. In the middle in the inside of our garage door as our playroom is a converted double car garage.

5. Adaptive Books

For us this means braille and tactile books. There are also books filled with ASL or ones which depict kids with a variety of abilities. I would say the desire for these books is very similar to that of parents wanting dolls and books that align with their own childs’ ethnicity. We want things our children can relate to. As August gets older we will buy books that show children like him along with other different abilities. Not just for him but to normalize the fact that everyone is different and worth acceptance to all our kids or those who visit our playroom. For now the touch and feel books are what he loves though. He will sit and feel the pages looking for the braille as he “reads” to himself. You can click here – or find the link at the bottom of this page – to bring you to my post on how to receive free braille books.

August is sitting on brown carpet. He is wearing a green long sleeved onesie and red pants. In his lap he has the book Thats Not My Tractor open. He has both hands on the book as he searches for the Braille and tactile tractor wheels. He has a few other books scattered on the floor beside him.
August is sitting on brown carpet. He is wearing a green long sleeved onesie and red pants. In his lap he has the book Thats Not My Tractor open. He has both hands on the book as he searches for the Braille and tactile tractor wheels. He has a few other books scattered on the floor beside him.
August is sitting on brown carpet. He is wearing a green long sleeved onesie and red pants. In his lap he has the book Thats Not My Tractor open. He is turning the page of the book. He has a few other books scattered on the floor beside him.
August is sitting on brown carpet. He is wearing a green long sleeved onesie and red pants. In his lap he has the book Thats Not My Tractor open. He is turning the page of the book. He has a few other books scattered on the floor beside him.
Picture is of our kitchen table with a variety of braille board books laid out. From left to right, back to front, there is Love Bug Touch and Feel Baby Animals Thats Not My Owl I Love You Day and Night Animal Shapes Thats Not My Monkey Thats Not My Dinosaur Babys Very First Touchy Feely Book Animal Noises Farm
Picture is of our kitchen table with a variety of braille board books laid out. From left to right, back to front, there is Love Bug Touch and Feel Baby Animals Thats Not My Owl I Love You Day and Night Animal Shapes Thats Not My Monkey Thats Not My Dinosaur Babys Very First Touchy Feely Book Animal Noises Farm

8. A Stretchy Swing

In all honesty, August hates this. He will relax in it with me the problem is my husband hung it low enough for our kids to be able to “self serve” if you will and get into it on their own. Meaning, if I sit in it my butt drags on the floor and not much swinging can be accomplished. My 3 year old son is a mad man for this swing though. He is a very physical child who needs to be able to throw his body around. I know plenty of parents of children with a wide array of abilities who swear by these swings. We were actually gifted ours from a family with a teen in a wheelchair who was no longer enjoying it. There are lots of cost effective options on Amazon. I can’t personally say if they are great so check the reviews!

Our Swing: Autism Products Site Link

Similar Swings: Amazon Link

Picture is of August, Aria, and myself all in a navy blue stretchy swing. I am laying on my back looking up ant the camera while both babies sit on my stomach. August is wearing a blue long sleeve onesie and Aria a yellow one. I am wearing a long sleeve shirt with oranges and lemons all over it. Below us are rainbow foam puzzle tiles.
Picture is of August, Aria, and myself all in a navy blue stretchy swing. I am laying on my back looking up ant the camera while both babies sit on my stomach. August is wearing a blue long sleeve onesie and Aria a yellow one. I am wearing a long sleeve shirt with oranges and lemons all over it. Below us are rainbow foam puzzle tiles.

9. Sensory Balls

We LOVE balls in this house. My kids throw them, roll them, bite them, shake them, throw their bodies at them, and so on. In our playroom you’ll find a yoga ball, a peanut ball, edushape spikey balls, and edushape sensory balls. These are great for everyone. The kids will often engage myself or my husband to be the throwers with themselves being the targets. They’ll run around as we toss the balls trying to get them. We will also sit on the floor with all our feet touching in a circle and roll or toss them to each other. They will try to stack them, though this often doesn’t work out in their favor. August will bring me the spikey balls and lay on his stomach on the floor, wanting me to roll them on his back and massage him with them. We have also put the yoga ball into our sensory swing as a punching bag. Another great way to get out energy!

Sensory Balls: Amazon Link

Spiky Balls: Amazon Link

Peanut Ball: Amazon Link

Picture is of the older kids space in our play area. In the middle of the photo is our navy blue stretchy sensory swing. In the swing is a pink yoga ball. Below the swing are rainbow foam puzzle tiles. In the backround are our very messy Ikea bookshelves filled with homeschool books and various art supplies.
Picture is of the older kids space in our play area. In the middle of the photo is our navy blue stretchy sensory swing. In the swing is a pink yoga ball. Below the swing are rainbow foam puzzle tiles. In the backround are our very messy Ikea bookshelves filled with homeschool books and various art supplies.

10. Inny Binny

This toy is so cool. It is a plastic opened sided cube with flat elastic that runs through it to create a cage. It does come with a few toys but my kids aren’t very impressed with those. The box is what we love. You can put anything that will fit in, then hand it to your kiddo to figure out how to remove it. Or give your child a pile of things to stuff in. Better yet, hand it to your child and let them figure out what to put in it. I hope that Fat Brain Toys comes out with a miniature version in the future. Something we can stick in my purse for car trips or doctors appointments would be amazing!

Inny Binny: Fat Brain Toys Link

 

Picture is a stock photo of a white open sided cube. Rainbow flat elastic runs in patterns through all the edges to create a cage. Around the cube are various small shaped toys from left to right Pink flower Yellow ball Orange brain Purple diamond Blue square Green triangle
Picture is a stock photo of a white open sided cube. Rainbow flat elastic runs in patterns through all the edges to create a cage. Around the cube are various small shaped toys from left to right Pink flower Yellow ball Orange brain Purple diamond Blue square Green triangle

I am sure that as my children grow, so will this list. To add, these are not toys just for my vision impaired child, they are used by all my kids. I have tried my best to make our lives adapted to him and his needs while still including our other children. My hope is that by doing this they all see our playroom as a space they all feel welcome in. I don’t want to create resentment or distance between our children by having “August only” toys. The truely infuriating part is not being able to walk into a store and find something appropriate for all my kids. My husband would probably say I try too hard and worry too much but that’s just who I am. This may not be the way everyone does it, but it is what works for us. I may go overboard at times but I did that even before having a special needs child.

 

Always August Great Gear for a Great Kid

Comments (6)

    1. I am so glad it will be helpful, I plan to expand more on these toys and others in future posts but as a mom of 4 small kids I don’t always have all the time I would like.

      Reply

  2. Thank you. I have a new grandson and I am constantly on the look for tactile and sensory toys for him.

    Reply

  3. I am so grateful to have stumbled on this site. My 9 month old grandson is visually impaired but have not gotten a diagnosis yet. I am one of his caregivers and always on the hunt for the best toys/activities for him. Your positivity and detailed reviews are so appreciated!

    Reply

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