Welcoming the Special Needs Community

Here are 17 sensory friendly and fun attractions that welcome special needs visitors or have set aside a special day with accommodations. Please use your judgment since each individual child has specific needs. Our goal is to help fill your days and months with fun filled excitement. Add some of these to your bucket list.

1. GO TO A SENSORY OR AUTISM FRIENDLY PERFORMANCE

Buy your tickets in advance for these upcoming sensory friendly shows.

• Dinosaur World Live - Sat, Apr 27, 2024, 5pm, Mayo PAC
• Aladdin - Sun, May 5, 2024 1pm, New Amsterdam Theatre (buy tickets via tdf.org)
• Charlotte’s Web - Thurs, May 9, 2024, 4pm, Mayo PAC
• New Jersey Symphony Family Concert: A Music Discovery Zone - May 18, 2024 Discover Beethoven’s Eroica
• Milk & Cookies: Amelia Robinson of Mil’s Trills - Sat, May 18, 2024, 12pm, State Theatre NJ
• Seussical - Sun, June 16, 2024, 10am, Papermill Playhouse

2. GO TO A SENSORY FRIENDLY MOVIE

AMC Theaters in partnership with the Autism Society offer sensory friendly movies scheduled on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays for family friendly films and on Wednesday evenings for mature films. Audience members can get up, dance, walk, or sing. Check your AMC local theatre. 

3. VISIT A MUSEUM

Museums are open and welcoming to the special needs community.

The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia’s Sensory Guide alerts you to experiences that may have high levels of stimulation, with helpful tips. Sensory Backpacks are stocked with helpful tools like noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses, fidgets, and weighted toys to help reduce sensory stimulation. 

Intrepid Museum in NYC offers sensory friendly early morning (ages 3-18) and evenings (14+). Participants can experience the Museum in a sensory-friendly environment. In the morning, educators lead short, interactive tours designed for all learners. In the evening, specific areas of the Museum are open for self-exploration. Upcoming special access programs on May 4, June 23, July 20. intrepidmuseum.org.

4. VISIT THE ZOO

Spend a day at the Bronx Zoo, home to an incredible 4,000 animals. They are celebrating 125th year throughout 2024 with many activities lined up. Monthly Birthday Celebrations (weekend celebrations on select days from April through September) include parades, performances, crafting, scavenger hunts, tours, Wildlife Theater, and much more. Each month will feature a different theme. The zoo’s Accessibility Map contains information on zoo exhibits and grounds. The Zoo has quiet zones and headphone zones to help visitors with sensory processing needs. Sensory bags available to guests. 

Other nearby zoos to explore: Bergen County Van Saun Zoo, Cape May County Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Turtle Back Zoo, Philadelphia Zoo.

5. PLANETARIUM FUN

The Raritan Valley College Planetarium features “The Sky Above”, a show about planets, moon, and constellations synced to music and laser lights. Doors are open, lights are dimmed, and audio is lowered. Saturday May 4 @ 5PM. Check out many of the other shows which may be suitable. Located in Branchburg, NJ.

6. WITNESS AMAZING BUBBLES

Bubbles have a magical effect on young and old. The Gazillion Bubble Show allows all ages to enjoy unique bubble artistry. Mind-blowing bubble magic, spectacular laser lighting effects, and soapy masterpieces. New York, NY, 212.239.6200, gazillionbubbleshow.com

7. MAKE ART

Montclair Art Museum Access Program includes Sensory Sunday Studio, designed for families with members on the autism spectrum or who have other sensory sensitivities. Each month features a different project designed by MAM Teaching Artists that is accessible to artists of all ages and abilities. Held on the first Sunday of the month from noon to 1pm. 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC offers workshops for individuals with Autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Look for their upcoming events.

Museum of Modern Art hosts a monthly Create Ability Program. MoMA provides needed access to creative art experiences for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other special needs. Upcoming events: Making Moves May 5, 2024, Celebrating Community June 23, 2024.

Whitney Museum of American Art offers sensory-friendly programs including gallery tours and artmaking workshops on select Saturdays before the Museum opens to the general public. This program is intended for kids ages six and up. They also have Verbal Description and Touch Tours for the blind or visual impaired.

8. RIDE HORSES

Therapeutic horseback riding are offered at Seaton Hackney Stables in Morristown. They work with riders of all abilities and have all types of horses to accommodate riders’ needs. Individuals of all abilities participate in mounted and unmounted therapeutic lessons. Other programs can be found at Equine Tranquility Wellness Center in Andover, NJ or Pony Power Therapies in Mahwah, NJ.

9. PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS

Special Olympics NJ offers year-round sports training and athletic competition to thousands of children and adults with intellectual disabilities, free of charge. Walking, running, jumping, trapping, throwing, kicking, striking and competition! 24 Olympic type sports, plus over 250 volunteer opportunities. sonj.org

10. GET PHYSICAL WITH KARATE BASED THERAPY

Special Dragons Karate provides fun classes and programs for the special needs population. Karate-based therapy uses karate techniques to improve issues like hand/eye coordination, motor control, balance, focus and other challenges that children with special needs face on a day to day basis. Sign up for a free trial for your child. specialdragonskarate.org

11. TAKE A WALK ALONG THE OCEAN

Go on a scavenger hunt on the beach. The great outdoors, and the sound of waves are usually calming to most.

12. EXPERIENCE A THEME PARK

Sesame Place is the first theme park designated as a Certified Autism Center. Extensive sensory guide of services, rides, & shows, low sensory area, noise canceling headphones, quiet dining and more! Meet & take photo with Julia, a 4 year old muppet with Autism. Located in Langhorne, PA.

Six Flags Great Adventure is designated a Certified Autism Center. Attraction Access Program is designed to accommodate guests with disabilities and matches the individual abilities to the ride criteria for each attraction. Individuals can apply for IBCCES Individual Accessibility Card for accommodations. Jackson, NJ, sixflags.com/greatadventure

13. EXPLORE UNIVERSAL PLAYGROUNDS

Also known as playgrounds for everyone, barrier free playgrounds or all access playgrounds. Central Park of Morris County in Parsippany, Jake’s Place in Cherry Hill, Challenger Place in Colts Neck, Votee Park in Teaneck, NJ, Tony’s Place in Long Branch, are a few.

14. EXPLORE AQUATIC LIFE

Adventure Aquarium in partnership with KultureCity offers accessible viewing areas, sensory bags, weighted lap pad, headphone zones, designated quiet area. A behind the scenes Shark Shack tour also offered. Sensory Sundays take place on the third Sunday of every month from 9:30-10:30am. Upcoming 2024 dates: April 21, May 19, June 16, July 21, Aug 18, Sept 15, Oct 20, Nov 16, Dec 15. Camden, NJ, adventureaquarium.com

15. GO PLAY!

Imagine That!!! Autism Awareness Event on Fri Apr 19, 3:30pm-6:30pm. Enjoy a fun afternoon with low lights, low music & less people for all kids on the spectrum & their families. Facility that specializes in pre-school age and young school children with educational fun. Buy tickets for child in advance. imaginethatmuseum.com

Monster Mini Golf lets you be among monsters as you glow in the dark. Play the arcade, laser tag, mini golf, games and prizes. Welcoming special needs families at Edison, Paramus, and Fairfield. monsterminigolf.com

Dozens of hands-on, creative activities at Crayola Experience in Easton PA. They serve guests with special needs and is designed for everyone to enjoy. 

16. GO ON A NATURE TRAIL

Nature trails are full of sensory activities. This Spring, explore gardens, walk the trails and enjoy nature. Check out the events at your local arboretum.

17. WALK THROUGH BATTLESHIP NJ

Interactive floating museum where you will walk through an actual Navy Battleship requiring ascending and descending its steep steps. Group tours can be arranged for special needs. 100 Clinton St. Camden. battleshipnewjersey.org

Read more at NJ Kids