Ideas for making Christmas more accessible

There’s no more special time of year for children – whether they’re five or 50! – than Christmas. It’s a time when there’s magic everywhere, and it’s filled with colour and sparkle. But how can you make sure that children with vision impairment (VI) are able to enjoy the fun and laughter that’s part and parcel of Christmas? 

Think of what Christmas tastes like, smells like, sounds like, and feels like – there are lots of ways that you can help blind and partially sighted children to get the most out of the festive season. 

Here are just some ideas that our Family Practitioners and the families we support have suggested – but there are so many different options out there for sensory experiences that everyone can take part in during the most wonderful time of the year.

Elf on the Shelf 

Mischievous and always ready to play a new prank, this little elf gets up to all sorts of trouble each night! It can be hard to come up with ideas for this, especially if your child has a vision impairment, but here are some tips that may help you adapt your family’s activity: 

• Although the elf shouldn’t be touched, he could come with a note that explains his magic won’t be lost if your child wants to hold him. 
• The elf can give clues to where he or she is through a voice recording – just remember to make sure the voice isn’t recognisable! 
• Alternatively, you could use bells to help your child make their way towards the elf via sound, or use a roll of bubble wrap or crepe paper that they can touch and follow. Paper stars on the wall, or chocolate coins to follow, or even sticky notes, make great options, too. 
• A toilet roll trail to the elf can be fantastic fun, especially when the children find the elf wrapped in it at the end!

Decorations

Looking for ways to get your child involved in the excitement of Christmas? Making decorations that smell divine and feel fabulous can get them into the festive spirit as the big day approaches. Check out our suggestions here! 

• Why not make gingerbread biscuit decorations? Although their Christmassy smell and taste are so good that they may not be around long enough to hang on the tree!
• Make tactile wrapping paper by adding tiny pom poms, stickers, and ribbon to it as you wrap presents together. 
• Create a mini tactile Christmas tree decoration with felt and Velcro, with a pipe cleaner loop as the hook. Quick and easy!
  
• Make a shredded paper snowman – stick on cardboard with glue and add some googly eyes and pom poms for his buttons, twigs for arms, and you’re good to go. 

Presents 

There’s a vast range of mainstream and specialist toys that are suitable for children and young people with vision impairment. Toys that their siblings can play with them, or toys that can be handed down to them, are a good idea, too, letting everyone join in the fun.  

• Accessible books make a thoughtful gift, from large print books to audio books, and they’re easier to find than ever through accessible library services and e-book providers. 
• Construction toys that stick together, like Duplo, Knex or Lego, can be popular with VI children and young people. 
• Playdough has a distinctive smell, is tactile and comes with a range of accessories that will keep children occupied for hours. 
• Smart technology can open doors to blind and partially sighted children that were previously locked away from them. From smart speakers to item finders and from laptops with built in accessibility features to accessible keyboards, there are a range of options to suit every budget. 

Christmas is a time we look forward to all year. There are so many ways we can make sure a blind or partially sighted child can join in the festivities with everyone else and create those amazing memories that will last a lifetime.