Discover VICTA’s World of Play on National Playday!

Charlotte from the VICTA Parents team introduces the sense of touch and why tactile play is so important for a VI child. Watch the introductory video and then check out the links to the play ideas below.

Tactile sensory play 

From playing with jelly to making games tactile with a bit of home crafting, you’ll find lots of shoestring ideas.

Space blanket play ideas

Space blankets are a great sensory staple – from magic carpet rides to noisy kick-abouts we have lots of ways to play with this one item!

Chiffon scarf play ideas

We have lots of games to be enjoyed with a chiffon scarf to help develop both gross and fine motor skills, as well as hand eye co-ordination and the development of the sense of touch. If you don’t have a chiffon scarf, you can use similar materials found around the home!

Full body tactile play

The tactile system includes the entire network of skin, including the inside of the mouth. Full body tactile activities are hugely therapeutic for the tactile system and sensory integration. Explore the concept further and consider some of our activity ideas to try when you’re playing.

In this introductory video Charlotte talks about the sense of light and why light-up toys shouldn’t be discounted for a young child with a vision impairment. Browse the play ideas and gain tips on creating your own dark den.

Dark den sensory fun

Dark dens are the perfect place to engage in light play with your child, get ideas on how to set one up at home and play with light with your child.

Light up balls

The spikey light-up ball included in our Sensory Discovery Packs has an inviting tactile element for children with no vision. For children with limited vision, the light-up properties of the ball can make it easier to see and so is great for developing both fine motor and gross motor skills. 

Find a sensory room

Before you invest in light-up equipment it’s a good idea to visit a sensory room first to see which items your child enjoys. Visit our list of sensory rooms to find one near you.

Find out why the sense of sound is so important, as well as a lot of fun, to explore. 

Make your own sound toys

You can make a sound maker out of just about anything! We’ve gathered DIY projects from across the internet for you to try.

Egg shaker games

These games and activities are fun to try with the egg shaker in the Sensory Discovery Pack or any sound shaker you have or can make at home. They are perfect cause and effect toys that open up a world of learning opportunities. 

Action songs

If you’re looking for action songs to try out with your sound maker, we’ve gathered a library of songs with the lyrics so you can sing along together!

Sensory sound walks

Listening and identifying sounds while outside is a great skill for a child with a vision impairment to explore.

Charlotte talks about movement and balance or the vestibular sense and how you can support your VI child to explore it.

Movement and balance activities with an exercise ball

We have lots of activities, uses and games you can play with the ball that will help your child develop their vestibular sense.

Vestibular play ideas

From visiting parks to baby yoga, helping your child develop the vestibular sense doesn’t have to be expensive.

We explore the sense of smell and how you can incorporate it into play with your VI child.

Smell games

Make your own smell games, a great alternative to visual games!

Scented sensory play

Recipes safe for scented and taste play

Scented play doesn’t have to be expensive, mix your own with these recipe ideas!

Taste and smell go hand-in-hand. They are not often thought of as significant senses when gathering information about our surroundings, but they play a really important role – even more so for a child with a vision impairment. 

Taste games

Edible sensory play

Lots of taste safe activities that you can set up on a budget with items from home!