Let’s look at crafty adaptations and hacks that make playtime fun and accessible. We have ideas for room setup, game modifications, and adapted equipment.
Room setup
“I used black wallpaper to outline the playroom and black contact paper for the table surface.” – Victoria L., CVI Now Parents Facebook Group
“Toys instantly became more accessible to my boys,” Victoria says when she also added touches like:
Hanging puff paint tactile alphabet posters and Roman bubble letters.
Painting a trolley with shallow sides white to hold magnetic tiles.
Removed decorative baskets to store items and replaced them with clear plastic containers.
“We built a CVI den out of PVC pipe and black sheets. For years, he would hang there and play. We built a platform for therapy because grandparents could not get down with him on the floor due to their age. And the black blanket on the floor was a picnic blanket that folds and zips up.” – Kathryne H., CVI Now Parents Facebook Group
Black foam floor squares reimagined to create a clutter-free play space and tabletop!
Tummy time
Make tummy time accessible by placing the baby on a foam wedge and offering single-color bright or textured toys.
Motivate the baby to lift her head by making an interesting sound above her (e.g., paper crinkling or rattle).
Dim the lights and use light-up toys. – Cindy Younan, CVI Journey
Puzzles
“I bought black puzzle piece mats for our living room and they’ve been great for my daughter!” – Beth S., CVI Now Parents Facebook Group
“I manually colored with a sharpie on books and puzzles to take ‘extra’ away.” – Lucinda H., CVI Now Parents Facebook Group
Games and toys
“I added red mouth to a toy so my daughter could find where to push it on.” – Lucinda H., CVI Now Parents Facebook Group
“I found Connect Four on Amazon for $5 and decided to adapt it for him. He struggles with blue. With his CVI and optic nerve atrophy, contrast is key. We already had a can of black spray paint. I think this turned out really well.” – Ann Y., CVI DIY Support Tools Facebook Group
The addition of velcro to the mouths of the fish and the fishing pole makes this game easier to play.
Add glittery stickers to buttons to engage the child.
Paint a box black and poke holiday lights through the top to make a “cave of stars.”
Replicate one of these homemade toys from CVI mom and occupational therapist Lindsey Grace Elliott.
“Made these for my son’s lightbox using clear colored binder folders, black construction paper, and a laminator. So happy with how they came out!” – Samantha D., CVI DIY Support Tools Facebook Group
“For some board games, we wrote the numbers and words with a marker to make them more obvious.” – Maryam R., CVI Now Parents Facebook Group
Use a slant board or card holder to keep game pieces or cards organized and upright.
Sensory play
Make sound shakers by filling old pill bottles with uncooked lentils, pasta, rice, or beans. Add glittery, textured tape around the bottles for an added sensory experience.
Take it outside
Collect leaves, twigs, and petals to touch and explore.
Try adult training wheels or a tandem recumbent bike.