Here are some engaging and inclusive games and activities for families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing. These activities promote communication, social interaction, and fun for everyone involved. Remember to choose activities that include visual cues and other adjustments, such as good lighting, sitting in a circle and minimising background noise.
1. Sign Language Bingo
Materials: Bingo cards with pictures or words that correspond to signs.
How to Play: Call out a sign, and players must find the matching picture or word on their card. The first to complete a row wins.
Benefit: Enhances sign language vocabulary and recognition in a fun and interactive way for all the family.
Refer link to free Bingo card creator with Auslan options.
2. Silent Charades
Materials: Cards with different actions or phrases.
How to Play: Players act out the phrase on the card without speaking while others guess what it is.
Benefit: Encourages non-verbal communication and creativity.
3. Story Time
Materials: A favourite book and knowledge of the corresponding signs, if appropriate.
How to Play: Read the book aloud while simultaneously signing the story or key words.
Benefit: Supports language development and improves comprehension through visual cues.
4. Scavenger Hunt
Materials: List of items to find – either pictures or written words.
How to Play: Hide items around the house or yard. Give players a list of items to find using pictures, signs or written/verbal clues.
Benefit: Promotes teamwork and problem-solving, and can be adapted to use sign language.
5. Visual Simon Says
Materials: No materials needed.
How to Play: One player gives commands using sign language or visual gestures, and others must follow only when the command starts with “Simon says.”
Benefit: Enhances attention to visual cues and sign language practice.
6. Art and Craft Time
Materials: Art supplies like paper, markers, glue, scissors.
How to Play: Create themed crafts (e.g., making hand-shaped animals to represent different signs or finger puppets made with scrap material and drawn on faces showing various emotions).
Benefit: Encourages creativity, fine motor skills and a better understanding of emotions. Craft activities also provide opportunities to learn new vocabulary related to the craft .
7. Deaf-Friendly Board or Card Games
Materials: Games like Uno, Jenga, Pictionary or Scrabble.
How to Play: These games can be easily adapted to use signs for communication.
Benefit: Inclusive, promotes strategic thinking and family bonding.
8. Interactive Video Games with Subtitles
Materials: Video game console and games with subtitle options.
How to Play: Choose family-friendly games that include subtitles for all dialogue.
Benefit: Enhances reading skills and ensures inclusivity in gaming.
9. Musical Chairs
Materials: Chairs, music player, and a light or visual signal.
How to Play: In addition to stopping the music, use a visual signal to indicate when to sit.
Benefit: Includes children who rely on visual cues in traditional auditory games.
10. Family Cooking Time
Materials: Ingredients for a chosen recipe, and verbal, visual or signed instructions.
How to Play: Follow the recipe together using signs or verbal or written instructions.
Benefit: Teaches life skills, encourages teamwork, and can be a fun, inclusive activity.
11. Relay Races
Materials: Cones or markers for relay points, visual signals like flags or lights, and/or a whistle.
How to Play: Set up a relay race course with different stations. If required, use visual signals to start each leg of the race.
Benefit: Promotes physical fitness, teamwork, and coordination. Visual and verbal signals ensure everyone knows when to start.
12. Obstacle Course
Materials: Various items for obstacles (cones, ropes, tunnels, etc.), visual markers.
How to Play: Create an obstacle course in your backyard or a park. Use signs or verbal cues to guide participants through the course.
Benefit: Enhances motor skills, problem-solving, and can be adapted to include signs for each obstacle to ensure clear communication.
13. Old favourites like hide & seek, tag, follow-the-leader, dressing-up and fort-building (indoor or outdoor) can be played without adaptations.
These suggestions aim to create an inclusive environment where all family members can enjoy and learn together, fostering communication and bonding through fun activities.
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