Sound Balls

 

Sound Balls for Blind and Visually Impaired Sport and Play.

A sound ball, or bell ball, is built to be tracked by ear rather than by sight. An internal bell, sound device, or rattling filler lets a player locate the ball by hearing it roll, bounce, or get thrown, so it works for anyone with sight loss, whatever the setting.

General and multi-sport play

Whether it’s PE lessons, family games, holiday clubs, or care settings, a sound ball lets everyone join in the same game. It turns ordinary catching, rolling, and target games into something a blind or partially sighted player can compete in on equal terms, without needing a specific sport’s rules or equipment.

Choosing a ball for general play

Foam is soft, light, and forgiving. Best for young children, beginners, or indoor use where a firmer ball might be too much impact. The gentler rattling sound suits smaller spaces and calmer sessions.

Inflatable is a step up in bounce and firmness, still soft-touch, good for basketball, volleyball, or small-sided games where the ball needs to hold its shape and roll predictably.

Size and sound — the same 13cm Bambino size works across foam and inflatable, so a class or family can move between the two without relearning the ball. Louder, more distinct sound devices suit noisier environments like a full school hall; a gentler rattle works better one-to-one or in a quiet room.

Indoor and outdoor use

Foam balls are designed primarily for indoor play; the inflatable range copes better outdoors in dry weather. Both are built to be durable enough for repeated sessions rather than one-off use, so they hold up across a term of PE lessons or a full activity programme.

Balls for specific sports

We also stock regulation match balls for goalball and blind football, built to IBSA specification.

Session ideas for PE teachers and coaches

A bell ball is usually the simplest single piece of kit for including a VI pupil without splitting the group. It works well for: rolling and catching drills in pairs; guided passing across a marked-out area; simple target or skittles games using sound to locate the goal; and tag or “find the ball” games that build listening and orientation skills alongside movement. For mixed-ability classes, pairing a sighted pupil with a VI pupil on a sound-ball drill is often more inclusive than separating the group by activity.

Helpful resources

RNIB’s Let’s Play guide offers further ideas on play for children with vision impairment, written with parents and play specialists.

 

Browse the full range

Bambino foam sound play ball – 13cm diameter soft spongy ball for visually impaired play and games. Easy to roll, throw, catch and hold.

Bambino inflatable sound sports ball – 13cm diameter ball ideal for basketball, volleyball or small sided games of football.

Blind football match balls for B1 5-a-side – Stryker96 official sound ball with textured surface and the new IBSA approved Flyte ball with smooth surface.

Goalball Match Ball – 25cm match ball with three metal bells inside.

Powerchair / Wheelchair Football match ball – 33cm oversize ball, exceptionally smooth to achieve optimum contact between chair and ball.

Audible Basketball – Size 7 in orange rubber with a clear jingling sound.