8 Games to Improve Visual Perception Skills

Visual perception is more than just “seeing.” It’s how the brain interprets and makes sense of what the eyes take in, understanding shapes, recognizing patterns, judging distances, and remembering what we’ve seen. These abilities are essential for everyday tasks such as reading, writing, navigating spaces, and building independence.

For children with disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Down syndrome, developing strong visual perception skills can enhance learning, coordination, and confidence. At The Deron School, we integrate hands-on activities and play-based strategies to make visual learning fun, effective, and accessible.

Below are a few enjoyable, developmentally supportive games you can try at home or in the classroom to strengthen these vital skills.

1. Puzzle Play: Building Picture Completion and Spatial Awareness

Puzzles are an excellent way to help children understand how shapes and pieces fit together to make a whole picture. They also strengthen spatial awareness, or how objects relate to each other in space.

How to play: Start with simple wooden or foam puzzles, then gradually introduce more complex jigsaw puzzles with distinct images. For extra engagement, choose themes your child enjoys—like animals, vehicles, or favorite characters.

Skills developed: Picture completion, spatial reasoning, problem-solving, fine motor coordination

2. “I Spy” and Scavenger Hunts: Strengthening Visual Recognition Skills

“I Spy” games help children learn to recognize and categorize objects based on characteristics like color, size, and shape. The ability to notice similarities and differences—sometimes called visual recognition—is essential for reading, sorting, and understanding patterns.

How to play:

• Play “I Spy” indoors or outdoors using descriptive clues (“I spy something round and blue”).
• Create a themed scavenger hunt with a visual checklist or picture guide to support engagement and comprehension.

Pro tip: Use real objects rather than pictures to encourage multisensory learning and real-world connections.

Skills developed: Visual recognition, attention to detail, observation, working memory

3. Copy the Design: Boosting Visual-Motor Integration

This activity involves copying or recreating a pattern using blocks, beads, or Legos®. It strengthens visual-motor integration—the coordination between what the eyes see and what the hands do.

How to play: Build a simple pattern or structure and ask your child to copy it. As they gain confidence, increase the number of pieces or introduce time challenges to encourage focus and sequencing.

Skills developed: Visual-motor coordination, spatial planning, sequencing, concentration

4. “Spot the Difference”: Enhancing Visual Attention

Finding differences between two similar images encourages careful observation and focus. This type of game can be played on paper, on a tablet, or with printed images.

How to play: Print or display two similar pictures and ask your child to find what’s different—such as changes in color, size, or shape. Encourage them to talk through what they see to support communication and attention.

Skills developed: Visual attention, focus, problem-solving, communication

5. Sorting and Matching Games: Practicing Shape Consistency

Sorting and matching activities teach children that an object stays the same even if its size, color, or position changes—a skill sometimes called shape consistency.

How to play: Use cards, toys, or everyday objects like buttons or socks. Have your child match them by category, color, or shape. For extra sensory engagement, use materials with different textures or patterns.

Skills developed: Categorization, visual consistency, organization, pattern recognition

6. Mazes and Path-Finding: Improving Spatial Orientation

Tracing paths, solving mazes, or following visual routes helps children understand directionality and spatial positioning—skills that are important for handwriting, reading, and daily navigation.

How to play: Use paper mazes, digital maze apps, or even create floor mazes using painter’s tape. Encourage your child to plan their route before starting to build problem-solving and patience.

Skills developed: Spatial awareness, planning, visual tracking, hand-eye coordination

7. Memory Match: Strengthening Visual Memory

Matching games help children remember what they see and where they saw it—key skills for both academics and daily life.

How to play: Lay cards face down and take turns flipping two at a time to find pairs. For beginners, start with fewer cards and gradually increase as memory skills improve.

Skills developed: Visual memory, attention, recall, focus

8. Art and Drawing Games: Encouraging Creativity and Observation 

Creative activities such as tracing, drawing, or coloring within lines help refine both motor control and perceptual understanding.

How to play: Ask your child to draw or copy simple images, trace shapes, or complete partial pictures. Encourage creative expression while celebrating accuracy and effort.

Skills developed: Visual-motor integration, creativity, attention to detail, self-expression

Integrating Play into Learning

The best part about these activities is that they don’t feel like work. Playful, hands-on learning allows children to practice important developmental skills in a relaxed environment where progress feels rewarding.

For students at The Deron School, play-based learning is woven into every aspect of instruction. Our educators and therapists use interactive, multi-sensory approaches to help children strengthen visual perception, communication, and coordination—all while having fun and building confidence.

Contact us today to learn how our programs help students grow in confidence, independence, and ability—both inside and outside the classroom.