Parties and Playdates

By Karen Hirst

RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) shares a free guide called Parties and Playdates, which is full of ideas for including a child with vision impairment in social activities.  This 19-page guide provides suggestions for fun activities that are accessible to children who are blind or visually impaired, as well as to their sighted peers.

The development of play and social skills is important for all children.   Learning to listen and communicate, negotiate, share and collaborate are the foundation for building relationships and being part of a community throughout one’s life.  The guide includes the following sections:

Parties and Playdates at Home

• Crafts

• Messy Fun

  • Spaghetti String Activity
  • Jewellry Making and Collaging
  • Dough Modelling
  • No Cook Play Dough

• Party Games

  • Pin the Tail on the Donkey
  • Pass the Parcel
  • Feely/Comparing Bag

• Taking the Party Outside

  • Garden Games

    • Art Attackers
    • Music Makers
    • Bubble Bursters

  • Themes

    • Harry Potter Themed Party
    • Hunt the Golden Snitch

  • Food and Drink

  • Party Bags

Parties and Playdates Away from Home

• Cinema

  • Audio Description
  • Lighting
  • When it’s all a bit loud
  • Parent/Carer Discounts

• Bowling

  • Lighting
  • Steps, level changes, and obstacles
  • Trapped fingers
  • Noise

• Other Play/Party Venues

• Getting the Right Information

 

Starting from Scratch: When your sighted child wants to invite their friend with vision impairment to play

• Asking the right questions

• Top Tips

  • Invitations and thank you cards
  • Adapting the home environment
  • Before the guests arrive
    • Location and position of larger objects
    • Steps, level changes and access to different rooms
    • Lighting
    • Toys and equipment
    • Doors
  • First Impressions
  • Playing with Friends
    • Use Names
    • Introduce a Buddy System
    • Keep Instructions Clear