Techie Toy Gift Guide

Explore this exciting collection of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) toys and kits that feature tactile elements, audio guided activities, and other accessible elements, making them a great fit for children with visual impairments.We have gathered this selection to highlight options that foster hands-on learning and creativity. As always, use your best judgment to ensure the recommended age levels align with your child's developmental needs.

Fisher-Price Think&Learn Code-A-Pillar

Code-A-Pillar, a new STEM toy, inspires young students to develop critical thinking skills through a hands-on robotic caterpillar. Get kids coding on the go with this playful caterpillar! Twist its segments to program movements, teaching sequencing, problem-solving, and troubleshooting along the way.Using straight, left and right segments, students arrange Code-a-Pillar's segments and watch the caterpillar move accordingly! Set up an obstacle course and add targets. Can you arrange Code-a-Pillar segments to avoid the obstacles and reach the target? Creating these simple routes provides opportunities for students to develop mini-programming concepts! This motivating game encourages 21st century skills such as problem-solving, planning and sequencing, reasoning and an introduction to coding concepts.

Price: $34.99
Manufacturer: Fisher Price
Age: 3 to 6 years
Product Page: Code-a-pillar
Features:

• Segments of the code-a-pillar have tactile symbols on top, but additional form stickers or textured tape can be added for additional support.
• Segments of the code-a-pillar light up as that direction is followed.
• The accompanying app is not accessible with VoiceOver, but the app is not necessary for game play.
• Physical manipulatives
• Sounds & Lights
• Incorporates use of directions (left, right, forward, back)

Learning Resources Botley the Activity Set

Meet Botley, the beeping robot that teaches coding while boosting critical thinking and problem-solving skills. With tactile buttons, tones, and a 77-piece activity set, Botley's perfect for visually impaired students and works screen-free!

Price: $50.56
Manufacturer: Learning Resources
Age: 5 to 8 years
Product Page: Botley
Features:

• With tactile buttons, tones, and a 77-piece activity set
• Visit Paths to technology Blog for tips on accessible game play

Learning Resources Code & Go Mouse Activity Set

Meet Colby, the speedy, light-up robot mouse! Program him with colorful buttons and coding cards, then create obstacle courses for him to find his cheese while learning coding basics, sequencing, and problem-solving.

Price: $106.34 from American Printing House (APH) toy + access kit
Manufacturer: Fisher Price
Age: 4 + years
Product Page: Code and go mouse
Features:

• Physical buttons and pieces to build Colby's course
• The access kit from APH comes with braille on the direction cards but you can add your own as well

Learning Resources Coding Critters Ranger & Zip

Meet Ranger and Zip, your playful coding critters! This 22-piece set turns coding into an adventure as kids guide their pet pals through fun, hands-on challenges.

Price: $35.07
Manufacturer: Learning Resources
Age: 4 + years
Product Page: Coding Critters
Features:

• Physical buttons and manipulatives to set up play environment
• Sounds and lights

Cubetto Educational Coding Robot

Cubetto is the Montessori-approved coding toy for children aged 3+, powered by a tangible programming language made of colorful blocks. Children guide
Cubetto through a series of maps and stories and learn the basics of computer programming and STEM skills without the use of a screen.

Price: $271
Manufacturer: Cubetto
Age: 3 + years
Product Page: Cubetto Coding Robot
Features:

• Physical wooden blocks for coding
• Different shapes and colors for each different type of action

Cubelets

Cubelets are unique robot blocks that teach problem-solving skills like collaboration, engineering, and computational thinking. By combining 17 different types of Cubelets, you can create countless robot constructions, each made up of smaller robots. It all begins by using the three basic categories of Cubelets to build innovative designs.

Price: $225
Manufacturer: Modular Robotics
Age: 4 + years
Product Page: Cubelets
Features:

• Physical manipulatives
• Blocks that light up in bright colors

Light Stacks

Construction blocks using LED light technology that spark creativity, innovation, and imaginative play. Blocks can either be purchased as a set of 36 or 102 pieces.

Price: $24.99 for 24 pieces | $38.24 for 36 pieces | $79.99 for 102 pieces
Manufacturer: Innovational Building Blocks
Age: 3 to 8 years
Product Page: Light Stacks
Features:

• Visually stimulating
• Physical manipulatives
• Bright colors

Turn-A-Cube

A colorful twist on the classic Rubik's cube! Match shapes and colors on each side while boosting problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.

Price: $17.95
Manufacturer: The Braille Store
Age: 4 + years
Product Page: Turn-A-Cube
Features:

• Tactile Shapes
• High contrast colors

Bop-It

The Bop-it! Calls out commands that come faster and faster as the game goes on. When you hear a command, you need to "bop it, pull it, or twist it" to
stay in the game.

Price: $15.97 for Classic Bop-It | $26.99 for Bop-It! Extreme | $9.84 for Bop-It! Micro Series
Manufacturer: Hasbro Gaming
Age: 4 + years
Product Page: Bop-It!
Features:

• Allows for multi-player game play
• Auditory instructions and commands
• Physical manipulatives easy for tactile differentiating

Snap Circuits JR

Snap Circuits Jr. 130 Access Kit makes learning electronics fun and accessible for children 8 and up, including blind and visually impaired students. With 130 projects and easy-to-snap parts, kids can explore circuits, switches, and motors while building creations that light up and make sounds. Exclusive to APH, the kit includes braille-labeled parts and large-print instructions, empowering all students to discover the world of electronics.

Price: $121
Manufacturer: APH
Age: 8 + years
Product Page: Snap Circuits Jr
Features:

• Braille and large print
• Mainstream toy
• Physical manipulatives with lights and sounds

Snapino Access Kit

Calling all aspiring programmers! Snapino, a commercially available product, has been made accessible for students who are blind and visually impaired.
Snapino is an introduction to the open-source Arduino hardware-software coding environment. Create circuits, various types of lights, distance sensors,
switches, and more!

Price: $89
Manufacturer: APH
Age: 12 + years
Product Page: Snapino Access Kit
Features:

• Braille and large print
• Mainstream toy
• Physical manipulatives with lights and sounds

Bric: Structures Access Kit

The Bric: Structures Access Kit lets kids unleash their creativity by building 26 fun, electricity-powered projects! Combining regular building bricks with Snap Circuits, children can create exciting circuits and real-world structures. With easy-to-follow instructions, it's perfect for all ages. Pair it with other Snap Circuits kits like Snap Circuit Jr and RC Snap Rover for even more endless, hands-on fun!

Price: $59
Manufacturer: APH
Age: 8 + years
Product Page: Bric: Structures
Features:

• Braille and large print
• Mainstream toy
• Physical manipulatives with lights and sounds

RC Snap Rover Access Kit

The RC Snap Rover Access Kit lets kids build a remote-controlled rover that zooms across any surface using colorful Snap Circuits parts. It's a fun, hands-on way to learn electronics, with braille-labeled parts making it accessible for blind and visually impaired users. Combine it with other Snap Circuits kits for endless project possibilities!

Price: $109
Manufacturer: Learning Resources
Age: 8 + years
Product Page: RC Snap Rover Access Kit
Features:

• Braille and large print
• Mainstream toy
• Physical manipulatives with lights and sounds

Magna-Tiles

Magna-Tiles are magnetic building tiles that allow children to explore hands-on construction, promoting STEM skills such as spatial reasoning, geometry, and problem-solving. The tactile nature of the tile (featuring distinct shapes and edges) makes them particularly well-suited for children with visual impairments, as they can identify pieces by feel and experiment with different structures through touch. This encourages creativity, fine motor skills, and an understanding of basic engineering concepts in an accessible and engaging way.

Price: $49.99 for the 32 piece set | $119.99 for the 100 piece set
Manufacturer: Valtech
Age: 3 to 9 years
Product Page: Magna-Tiles
Features:

• Tactilely distinguishable shapes
• Add-on kits and accessories

Simon Electronic Memory Game

The Simon Electronic Memory Game is a classic, light-up game that challenges players to remember and repeat sequences, fostering memory, attention, and cognitive skills. Its large, brightly colored buttons and distinctive sounds make it engaging for children with visual impairments, allowing them to follow the game's patterns through sound and touch. This hands-on play strengthens memory recall, listening skills, and encourages concentration in a fun, interactive format.

Price: $29.99 for the 32 piece set | $119.99 for the 100 piece set
Manufacturer: Valtech
Age: 7 + years
Product Page: Simon Electronic Memory Game
Features:

• Physical buttons
• Bright contrasting colors
• Different auditory tones for each color

Dash Robot

The Dash Robot by Wonder Workshop is an engaging, hands-on tool that brings STEM learning to life through interactive coding and problem-solving activities. Equipped with voice commands and tactile, easy-to-use controls, Dash is accessible to students of all abilities, including those with visual impairments, helping them develop critical thinking and coding skills in a fun, inclusive way.

Price: $179.99
Manufacturer: Wonder Workshop
Age: 6 + years
Product Page: Dash Robot
Features:

• Compatible with the accessible Blocks4All app for IOS (not associated with Wonder Workshop)
• Auditory, tactile, and light elements

Accessible Retail Spaces

Sure, board games and card games aren't techie in the traditional sense, but we just wanted to shine a spotlight on some websites parents can visit when looking for low tech games that the whole family can enjoy when kids take a break between building robots. Parents, when selecting your games, keep in mind your child's skill level with literacy, braille, using large print, and other non-visual skills. We do not specifically endorse one game from these sites, but rather support any game that families feel will bring inclusion to game night.

Unicorn Soda Design Studios

Website: Unicorn Soda Design Studios

What they offer: Tactile and accessible versions of games like Checkers, Backgammon, and so much more.

64 Ounce Braille

Website: 64 Ounce Braille

What they offer: Not only does this website sell kits to adapt favorite household games like Candy Land and Sorry, but they also sell fidgets, braille-forward toys, and accessible art supplies. What is an "access kit" you may ask, tactile overlays or stickers with braille and high contrast components that can be affixed to standard playing cards and game boards. Please note that access kits may require sighted assistance when applying to a game. Also worth noting is that access kits and actual games are sold separately. For example, if you already own the game Candy Land, you would just need to purchase the access kit and affix it to your board.

Future Aids: Braille Super Store

Website: Braille Super Store

What they offer: This website has a section dedicated to accessible toys, puzzles, brain teasers, card games, board games, and sporting goods, (because every tech genius needs a movement break).

Video Games

Videogames, the true media of the next generation. While it's not up to us which games your kiddos play and when they play them. We would be doing a disservice to families to refrain from acknowledging the growing collection of accessible videogames.

Ratings for each game are listed below, along with reviews by Common Sense Media (when available), a website dedicated to reviewing media content for children. Please note that parents should take time to learn about each game mentioned below before purchasing, to ensure that their child's intellectual and developmental needs are being met. CSB does not endorse the purchase of any videogame, and rather is simply a messenger to the masses, while parents make all final decisions.

• The Last of Us : PC, PlayStation 5; (M for mature)
  • Parents need to know: Common Sense Media's Discussion of The Last of Us game rating
  • The Last of Us accessibility features
    
    
• The Last of Us 2 : PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4; (M for mature)
  • Parents need to know: Common Sense Media's Review of The Last of Us 2
  • The Last of Us 2 accessibility features
    
    
• God of War : PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5; (M for mature)
  • Parents need to know: Common Sense Media's Review of God of War
  • God of War by PlayStation accessibility features
    
    
• Forza Motorsport 8 : PC, Xbox; (E for everyone)
  • Parents need to know: Common Sense Media's Review of Forza Motorsport 8
  • Forza Motorsport 8 accessibility features
    
    
• The Vale: Shadow of the Crown : PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox; (E for everyone)
  • The Vale: Shadow of the Crown accessibility features
    
    
• Marvel's Spider-Man 2 : PC, PlayStation 5; (T for teen)
  • Parents need to know: Common Sense Media's Review of Marvel's Spider-Man 2
  • Marvel's Spider-Man 2 accessibility features
    
    
• As Dusk Falls : PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox (M for mature)
  • Parents need to know: Common Sense Media' Review of As Dusk Falls
  • As Dusk Falls accessibility features
    
    
• Brock the InvestiGator : PlayStation 5, XBox, Nintendo Switch; (T for teen)
  • Brock the InvestiGator accessibility features
    
    
• Mortal Kombat 1 : PlayStation 5, Xbox; (M for mature)
  • Parents need to know: Common Sense Media's Review of Mortal Kombat 1
  • Mortal Kombat 1 accessibility features
    
    
• Skull Girls : PC; (T for teen)
  • Parents need to know: Common Sense Media's Review of Skull Girls
  • Skull Girls accessibility features review by blind gamer IllegallySighted (Video; 48:47)
    
    
• Street Fighter 6 : all platforms; (T for teen)
  • Parents need to know: Common Sense Media's Review of Street Fighter 6
  • Street Fighter 6 accessibility features video series reviews by blind gamer BlindWarriorSven (Video; 2:33)
    
    
• F1 25 : all platforms; (E for everyone)
  • F1 25 accessibility features
    
    
• Sequence Storm : PC
  • Sequence Storm accessibility features
    
    
• A Western Drama : Xbox (T for teen)
  • A Western Drama accessibility features review by blind gamer IllegallySighted (Video; 46:17)

Techie Toys to Encourage Early Literacy

The toys below were chosen for their ability to support verbal language, concept development, hands-on exploration, and fine motor skills - key building blocks for early literacy in babies and toddlers with visual impairments. This list is just a starting point, offering ideas for blending mainstream toys into your child's physical toy box and their growing "literacy toolbox".

Toniebox Starter Set

This snuggly, screen-free audio player lets children simply place a "figurine" on top and dive into stories and songs - ideal for independent listening sessions.

Price: $79+
Manufacturer: tonies
Age: 3 + years
Product Page: Toniebox Starter Set (Target)
Features:

• Auditory comprehension and vocabulary growth through story listening
• Story structure awareness (beginning, middle, end) via self-contained audio tales
• Encouraging independent "reading" behavior, even without print

Yoto Mini Player

A compact, child-friendly audio player paired with themed story cards, music, or families can record their own. Kids explore the world through their imagination.

Price: $79.99
Manufacturer: Yoto
Age: 3 years and up
Product Page: Yoto Mini Player (Target)
Features:

• Listening and comprehension skills through narrated story content
• Vocabulary development via character-based adventures
• Engagement with screen-free media allowing focus on auditory input

LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book

An interactive book that lets children touch pictures to hear more than 100 words spoken aloud, with Spanish/English toggle and fun sound effects.

Price: $24.99
Manufacturer: LeapFrog
Age: Toddler to preschool (about 18 months - 4 years)
Product Page: LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words book (Target)
Features:

• Vocabulary building across familiar categories (animals, food, colors, etc.)
• Bilingual exposure (English/Spanish) which supports phonological awareness and language flexibility
• Print awareness skills: associating spoken word with text and picture cues

VTech Brilliant Baby Laptop

A travel-ready "laptop" toy with shape buttons, movable mouse, and modes for animals, shapes, and music - fun for little explorers.

Price: $39.98
Manufacturer: VTech
Age: 6 months to 3 years
Product Page: VTech Brilliant Baby Laptop (Amazon)
Features:

• Letter & sound exposure via the ABC button and shape/animal modes
• Print-concept development
• Encouraging early interest in symbols and letters in a playful format

VTech Click and Count Remote

A pretend TV remote toy that looks like the grown-ups' but plays music and teaches numbers, colors and shapes through playful "channel" changes.

Price: $12.97
Manufacturer: VTech
Age: 6 months to 3 years
Product Page: VTech Click and Count Remote (Amazon)
Features:

• Vocabulary around colours, numbers, shapes and simple words
• Encouraging turn-taking and interaction which supports oral language development
• Familiarity with cause/effect (press button - hear word/phrase) enhances attention to sound and language

Braille Alphabet Blocks

A tactile block set that includes printed letters and embossed Braille dots - designed especially for children who are blind or visually impaired, but beneficial for all learners.

Price: $37.95
Manufacturer: Independent Living Aids, LLC
Age: 2 years and up
Product Page: Independent Living Aids - Braille Alphabet Blocks
Features:

• Letter recognition through both print and Braille, supporting dual-mode literacy
• Tactile awareness and fine motor interaction which strengthen readiness for reading/writing
• Early awareness of print symbol system and Braille code, promoting inclusive literacy foundations

Dimple Duo by Fat Brain Toys

Textures, shapes, words, colors, connections between written language and building concepts all come alive in a simple, compact toy ready for sensory play.

Price: $19.99
Manufacturer: Fat Brain Toy Co.
Age: 1 to 4 years
Product Page: Dimple Duo by Fat Brains (Amazon)
Features:

• Shape recognition and concept building
• Tactile discrimination
• Fine motor skills for manipulating tactile literacy materials

Kid's 2 in 1 Talking Ball

Babies and toddlers explore the alphabet and counting through sensory and gross motor play. Involve a caregiver, toddler friend, or sibling to join in the fun with turn taking and social communication.

Price: $16.49
Manufacturer: Melissa and Doug
Age: 0-24 months
Product Page: Kid's 2 in 1 Talking Ball (Target)
Features:

• Linguistic development, awareness of alphabet at phonetics
• Listening skills, auditory comprehension, locating auditory information
• Concept building and social interaction

Ms Rachel First Words Textured Sensory Flash Cards by Melissa and Doug

Help your littles connect verbal, visual, and sensory cues to individual words with 30 colorful, double sided cards. Hearing words and phrases, and associating them with touchable pictures is a great way to build vocabulary.

Price: $12.49
Manufacturer: Melissa and Doug
Age: 2 to 4 years
Product Page: Ms Rachel First Words Textured Sensory Flash Cards (Target)
Features:

• Connecting verbal communication with sensory and visual information to strengthen vocabulary
• Multisensory access to language
• Building of descriptive language like bumpy, soft, rough, etc.

Foki Floor Piano Mat

Babies and toddlers learn cause and effect through tapping the keys on this farm themed mat with feet, hands, and any other part of their bodies.

Price: $24.99
Manufacturer: Foki
Age: 3 months and up
Product Page: Foki Floor Piano Mat (Amazon)
Features:

• Cause and effect
• Auditory comprehension and auditory discrimination skills
• Concept building (animals, sounds, etc.)