Ballino

Colorful discs of brightly painted maple wood make this 2 3/4" ball shaped rattle easy to grasp. Manipulating the ball between both hands produces soft clicking sound. This is an ideal toy for encouraging a child to use both hands.

US$14

Ramba Zamba

This 4" long rattle clicks and clacks as its colorful wooden discs move on a metal rod. The arc shape of this rattle is perfect for little hands to grasp.

US$14.50

Heirloom Baby Rattle

An alternative to lighter weight plastic rattles in touch, sight, sound, and movement. These 6" rattles combine nontoxic bright and natural wood finishes. Available in two styles. The designs of these rattles encourage the child to switch the rattle from hand to hand. Totally blind children particularly appreciate the different sound quality.

US$10.50

Marble Ring

Tactile, visual, and auditory feast. Seven inch diameter heavy gauge wire circle encasing 12 cats'-eye marbles in four colors. Remove Marble Ring from its wooden box and experience the feel, sight, and sound of the marbles rolling through the wires. To experience distinctly different sights and sounds, put Marble Ring back in its box, pick up the box and tilt in all directions. Another inviting, interactive toy well suited for a diverse population.

Holly Allen, an early intervention specialist at CNIB in Thunder Bay, uses Marble Ring with her older children for checking body awareness. "Can you put it on your head? Can you put it on your left foot?"

Contains small parts. Not for children under 3.

US$12

Rainbow Waterfall Tube

Turn this 12 1/4" smooth transparent tube over and watch the colorful beads and metal balls cascade through clear balconies, creating mesmerizing audio and visual experience. Mix of plastic beads and metal balls create different sounds than plastic or metal beads alone. Contains small parts. Not for children under 3.

US$10

Jingle Band

Large bells are attached securely to a brightly colored web band with Velcro closure. Assorted bright colors. Pleasant jingle. Attaches easily to crib, high chair, car seat or to another toy. Excellent for attaching just above tip of a cane for beginning cane users.

US$6-$28.80

Sound Puzzle Box

Each shape--circle, square, triangle--makes a sound as it slides down s clear tube. A shape inserted upside down slides silently down the tube, only to sound off when the child turns the sorter upside down to dump out the shapes and sort again. Favorite shape sorter of blind and visually impaired children.

US$17

Mini Maracas

From Latin Percussion comes mini plastic shakers with the big sound of genuine maracas. Perfect size for small hands. Nicely weighted. Available in assorted bright colors.

US$7.50 pair

Egg Shaker

Music is fun and so are these colorful egg shakers that create a rhythmic sound when shaken. Made of the most durable plastic, they require no batteries or training. Colors vary.

US$3

Thunder Tube

Create the sound of rolling thunder and other wild wacky sound effects with these colorful tubes. No batteries required. It's all in the wrist. Length: 7" plus spring. This is a must have for the visually impaired and everyone else who enjoys experimenting with sound.

US$12.00

Translucent Magic Mic

This 9 1/2" echo microphone magnifies the sound of your voice--no batteries required. Speech and language therapists use Magic Mic as a tool for enticing children who are reluctant to talk to do so...play with a purpose.

US$4

Brio Duck Pull-Along

Sound and motion in a classic wooden pull toy. Duck quacks, shakes its head and moves its wings as it is pulled along. Length: 6 3/4". Sound makes this pull along toy a joy to blind children.

US$16

Concertina

Child discovers relationship between space and sound and develops motor skills as she pulls apart and pushes together the ends of this sturdy concertina. Great for bringing two hands together. Blind and low vision kids love this accordion.

US$20

Paper Accordion
(with supervision)

Small and lightweight. Easy to grasp, pull out and squeeze together to produce sound. Great for bringing two hands together and easier to operate than other accordions.

US$2

Mini RainboShaker

Create a rainbow with multi-colored translucent beads cascading through solid bright balconies inside a faceted transparent plastic cylinder. Length: 4". Safety tested for children six months & up.

US$6

RainboMaker

Create the sound of rain without getting wet! Shake, turn and twist this tube and watch the colorful beads cascade down making a gentle falling rain sound. The multi-colored beads create a prism of color as they tumble down the tube. Available in two lengths: 8" and 16".
The 16" original RainboMaker produces the best sound as the beads cascade farther, but the RainboShaker and 8" RainboMaker are safer for children apt to "bonk" themselves.

US$12-$18

Mouse Castanet

Use hands and fingers to create rhythm and develop motor skills with these wooden castanets in assorted primary colors. Soft clacking sound. Available individually, in sets of three (one each red, yellow, and blue) and in boxes of six (two each color).

US$4 each
US$10.80 set of 3
US$19.60 set of 6

Wiggly Giggler Rattle

Bright, easy-to-grip, lightweight and durable 3 1/4" rattles that shake, stack and roll. Highly responsive: a sliding reed inside the tube creates sound while specially designed weights increase responsiveness. PVC free. Promotes gross motor development and provides multiple feedback - touch, sound, balance, weight. The ideal rattle for blind and visually impaired children.

US$3

Popping Toy

Children delight in watching and hearing colorful beads pop around inside the see-through shells of these irresistible 4" long turtles and ladybugs. Friction powered, requires no batteries. Available individually or by the pair, one of each style. Auditory response makes this cause and effect toy ideal for blind and visually impaired children.

US$7.50 - $14

Translucent Groan Tube
with supervision

Lightweight translucent plastic tube that "groans" when turned on end or shaken. Neon colors, 16" long. Auditory response encourages child to turn tube to make enclosed noise maker slide and "groan." This encourages grasp and wrist motion. Contains small parts. Not for children under 3.

US$5 set of 3

Bug Clickers

Easy to grasp and hold, these lithographed 1 3/4" x 1" metal clickers encourage children to bring thumb and index finger together to press the metal strip underneath to create a loud click. Makes a good sound source for orientation and mobility. Some blind adults have commented that this makes a terrific attention-getter if someone is lost or needs assistance. Assorted bugs. Contains small parts. Not for children under 3.

US$6 set of 12

Birthday Party Puzzle

Birthday cake with candles, strawberry and jellybean toppings, and knife for "cutting;" 34 piece puzzle stores in a 13 1/2" x 10" X 2" wooden box. Velcro connectors between slices add sound to "cutting the cake," making this puzzle particularly appealing to children with visual impairments.

US$20

Wiggly Giggly Ball

It wiggles. It giggles. It is indeed Wiggly Giggly. Provides great gross motor skill building for crawlers and walkers and hilarious play for bigger kids. The ball responds to being pushed or rolled by wiggling and giggling as though it has a life of its own. Special mechanical sound tubes make for infectious laughter and fun. No batteries required. Assorted bright colors. Available in two sizes: 7" Large and 4 1/2" Mini.

US$10 - $15

Activity Ball

Twenty inch diameter transparent heavy vinyl ball with 12 rainbow colored balls inside. Movement of bright colored balls inside clear ball can be particularly appealing to low vision children.

US$42

Jinglin' Ball

Twenty-two inch diameter transparent heavy vinyl ball with four jumbo jingle bells bouncing around inside. Sound of jingle bells bouncing and jingling inside Jinglin' Ball makes this an ideal ball for children with visual impairments

US$42

Lollipop Drum

A contemporary adaptation of an ancient idea found in Africa and Japan, an easy-to-hold "drum on a stick". Available in three sizes: drum heads measure 10", 8", and 6" diameter. Tone is mellow, reminiscent of a tom-tom. The larger the drum head, the deeper the tone. Many early intervention specialists have found these drums useful for developing eye/hand coordination. Even children unable to manage both holding and striking the drum can strike the drum being held by an adult.

US$19 - $25 each
US$58.50 set of three (one of each size)

Wave Drum

The dance of brightly colored beads inside this 8" transparent drum is the magic ingredient that brings life to the Wave Drum, creating a range of sounds from the whisper of a rippling tide to the crashing of waves on rocks. Mallet included for producing tom-tom beats. Wave drum offers endless opportunities for children to experiment with sound and discover that different hand movements create different sounds.

US$17

Zenergy Chime

Tap gently with lightweight mallet and this chime emits a powerful tone of singular beauty that lasts and lasts. Cherry-finish hardwood base, silver aluminum rod, and mallet. Measures 7 1/2". Requires more eye/hand coordination than Lollipop Drum and offers a melodious alternative sound. Many teachers have found that the Zenergy Chime provides a gentle way to get attention or to signal a transition.

US$12.50

Zenergy Chime Trio

Trio adds the beauty of two additional tones to the Zenergy Chime. Tap each rod separately or draw the mallet across all three for a different sound experience.

US$20

Musical Jack-in-the-Box

Turn the knob and play music until the clown pops up. Easy-to-turn wheel plus large, easy-grip handle make for a perfect first jack-in-the-box. Also features a bright yellow star that turns and clicks, a button on the back that squeaks when pressed, and a mirror on the bottom. This takes cause-and-effect a step further by adding an element of anticipation and rewarding the action of turning. All features on Jack can be activated by using palm of hand if child is unable to grasp.

US$24

Explorer Ring

Open the doors and make the beads-go-round! Learn fine motor skills with the motivation of flowing beads. The Explorer Ring works on a range of skills while encouraging tactile, auditory and visual exploration. You can Squeeze the buttons, Pull the knob, Rotate the cuff, Turn the key and Spin the handle to make the beads flow. Game booklet included with play options for all levels.

US$40

Oball Rattle

Lightweight, easy to grab, crush, catch, rattle and throw. Oball invites finger exploration and experimentation as children who never before could grasp a ball find themselves easily holding & exploring these PVC and latex-free balls. This Oball has 4 inserts that contain small beads to make the rattle. The Oball Rattle is 4" in diameter. Dishwasher safe.

US$8

Solid Drum

Tympanic drum with drumstick develops spatial perception, eye/hand coordination, and motor skills while allowing children to explore sound and rhythm. Rubber head on the drumstick softens the sound. Children can also drum with their fingers and hands. Made of wood, this solid drum stands up to the rigors of play.

US$20