Visual perception is the ability to process and make meaning of what we see (different from visual acuity). A person can have 20/20 vision and still have difficulty with visual perceptual abilities. These difficulties can make everyday tasks challenging, as we need visual perception to read, write, get dressed, drive, cook, and so on. Luckily, visual perception can often be improved through practice. Here are just a few games to help you get started.
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1) Mighty Minds
Mighty Minds is a magnetic Tangram game that teaches kids about spatial relationships. The challenges start easy (simple enough for 3-year-olds) and increase in the level of difficulty as you progress. Towards the end, children will be able to solve complex patterns all on their own.
2) Cubeez
Cubeez is a fast-paced game where players compete to replicate the silly faces on the cards using the three cubes provided. Figuring out how to position the cubes to make the faces requires the use of visual discrimination and visual closure (the ability to recognize a form when part of the picture is missing). Ages 6 and up.
3) Hiss
Hiss is a color matching and problem-solving game that kids as young as three can learn to play. The goal is to create snakes with one head and one tail. Ages 3 and up.
4) Go Go Gelato
Go Go Gelato is a fast-paced game that promotes motor planning and visual-spatial thinking. The goal is to fill the customer’s order by figuring out how to pass the scoops back and forth without touching or dropping them. Ages 6 and up.
5) Set
To make a “set,” you need three cards to have four features (color, symbol, shade, and number) be all the same or all different. The person who can spot the most sets the quickest wins the game. Ages 6 and up.
6) Tumble Trax
Tumble Trax is a genius game that helps kids create their own marble runs. To play: replicate the designs on the picture cards by attaching the magnetic foam pieces onto the fridge. Then watch the marbles roll down the tracks. This game teaches engineering principles, encourages visual-spatial thinking, and helps develop fine motor skills. Ages 5 and up.
7) Super Genius-First Words
Super Genius comes in a bunch of variety packs. This one focuses on three letter words (great for kids just learning to read). It includes instructions for six different games. The idea is to find a match between any two cards. It can either be between a word and its image, two images, or two words. The words are written in different colors, sizes, and fonts which encourages attention to detail and teaches the concept of Form Constancy (ability to know that an object is the same, even when formed smaller, larger or in a different position). Ages 5 and up.
8) Blink
Blink is a fast-paced card game that requires a quick reaction time to play. Players rush to match their cards to the cards in the discard piles. The cards can be matched either by color, number or shape. Whoever gets rid of their cards first wins the game.
9) Brain Box
Brain Box is a fun way to work on visual memory. Pick a card and study it for 10 seconds. Then turn it over and see how many questions you can answer about the details of the pictures. Ages 4 and up.