Gift Ideas for Visually Impaired Children

When shopping for gifts for visually impaired children, keep in mind that they need to compensate for their lack of sight by sharpening their other senses--and using their imagination. Ideal gifts, then, rely heavily on touch and sound, and often are geared toward stimulating the imagination.

Teddy Bear

• Children love stuffed animals, and blind or low-vision kids are no different. After all, kids don' t need eyesight to cuddle with a plush friend as they drift off to sleep, or lie on the sofa listening to music.

Braille Books

• Braille books are a natural present for inquisitive children. Youngsters love to read, and just because a child is visually impaired doesn't mean he can't enjoy books. Most every popular children's book is available in Braille, from Dr. Seuss and the Berenstain Bears to Stuart Little, Flat Stanley and, for older readers, the Lord of the Rings trilogy and Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mysteries. Check out one of the many online Braille bookstores (see Resources, below) and browse through their vast selections of Braille books, arranged by recommended ages. There are even board books in Braille for toddlers. Best of all, books are priced about the same as regular hardcovers.

Laugh & Learn Learning Phone

• The Laugh & Learn Learning Phone, from Fisher Price, will provide preschoolers with hours of both fun and learning. The phone says simple phrases like "I love you" and "bye bye," and also plays simple tunes. Press the "ABC" button and the phone will say the letters that correspond to the numbers you press. Press the "123" button and it will read the number; press the music button and it will play a different tune for each number. Press "O" and the phone will say simple but catchy phrases.

Lego

• Children love to build things, and the beauty of Lego and other snap-together blocks is that they can build impressive structures just by feel. For toddlers, try the larger Duplo blocks, but for kids ages 5 or 6 and older the regular-size Lego blocks are just fine.

Books with Sound

• There are all sorts of sound books available with a row of buttons on the side that make different sounds when pressed. These sounds either take the place of, or substitute, words; for example, if the text reads "A dog barked" the accompanying button will be a barking sound. These books are a great way to interact with your visually impaired child. You can read the text and then, at the appropriate time, guide his finger to the appropriate button.

Lullaby Gloworm

• The Lullaby Gloworm, from Playskool, is aimed at kids from birth through 18 months. The Gloworm is a cuddly plush that lights up and sings six soothing lullabies. It's like a singing Teddy Bear.