Things to Do for Children with Special Needs

14 Fun Activities to Explore

New Jersey and the surrounding states are packed with sensory friendly and autism friendly opportunities for children and adults to learn, explore, and play. Research, plan ahead, and buy advance tickets!

1. GO TO A SENSORY FRIENDLY PERFORMANCE

There are many sensory friendly performances throughout NJ and NYC. Here are some upcoming sensory friendly shows that may be suitable:

Milk & Cookies Series @ State Theatre New Jersey (stnj.org) with its Sensory-Friendly Performances allowing families with children on the autism spectrum or with other sensory sensitivities to enjoy high-quality live entertainment in a safe, welcoming, sensory-friendly environment.
• Suzi Shelton - Sat, Mar 14
• Tahira - Sat, May 2

Paper Mill Playhouse Autism Friendly Performances - Theater for Everyone (papermill.org) West Side Story - Autism Friendly Performances May 28 - Jun 28

The New Victory Theater Sensory-Friendly Performances (NewVictory.org) - Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock LIVE: Sensory Friendly - Jun 7 @ 5pm (ages 4 and up) Dance your cares away in a brand new musical adventure.

TDF Autism Friendly Broadway (tdf.org)
• Buena Vista Social Club - Sun, Apr 19 @ 1pm at Gerald Schoenfield Theatre
• & Juliet - Sun, May 3 @ 1pm at Stephen Sondheim Theatre
• Hamilton - Sun, May 31 @ 1pm at Richard Rogers Theatre

MAYO PAC Sensory Friendly Performances (MayoArts.org). Sensory-friendly performances have been designed to create a supportive, welcoming experience for people with sensory sensitivities. Each performance features modulated sound and light levels and a relaxed environment where the audience is free to talk, vocalize, and leave and re-enter the seating area.
• The Pout-Pout Fish (Field Trip) - Apr 14 @ 12:15
• Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the School Bus, The Musical (Field Trip) - May 11 @ 12:15

Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC.org) offers Sensory Friendly music, theater and dance performances, as well as Sensory Friendly Theater film screenings, are specially adapted for children and adults with autism and other sensory sensitivities.

Lincoln Center Relaxed Performances welcomes guests to come as they are and be their full selves. Relaxed Performances are open to all, and especially welcoming for people with autism, sensory and communication disorders or learning disabilities. The artistic integrity of the piece remains unchanged, however modifications to social and sensory environment may be made. This structure can also be beneficial for people who are neurodivergent, families with young children and anyone who finds traditional performance protocols do not work for their needs. Many are FREE, registration required. (lincolncenter.org)

• Come & Sing with the Lazours - Mar 8 @ 11am, Lincoln Center Theater (participatory)
• The Unexpected Gift - Barrowland Ballet - Apr 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, Clark Studio Theater
• Antarctica! Crew Wanted - Rosan Sensory Adventures, Apr 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 Samuel Rehearsal Studio, Rose Building.
• Patterns - Axis Dance Company, Apr 17, 18, Alice Tully Hall
• SL Baby Slam, Apr 18 @ 11am, David Rubenstein Atrium
• CMS Kids: Tuneful Teamwork, Apr 19, Rose Studio, Rose Building
• Real Abilities Comedy Night, Apr 24, Kaplan Penthouse, Rose Building
• Sensory-Friendly Performance New York City Ballet, May 17 @ 11am, David Koch Theater
• Philharmonic Families: Strings, May 30

Gazillion Bubble Show Sensory Saturdays. In partnership with KultureCity®, Sensory Saturday offers a modified version of our award-winning bubble show, ensuring a safe, joyful experience for individuals with sensory sensitivities.

2. SEE THE ANIMALS AT THE ZOO

Turtle Back Zoo’s sensory friendly morning offers visitors an opportunity to visit without crowds. Sensory friendly evening events also offered during the year. TurtlebackZoo.com

Bronx Zoo’s sensory inclusive programs allows families to explore the Children’s Zoo before it’s open to the public. BronxZoo.com

3. VISIT A MUSEUM WITH ACCESS PROGRAMS

Science and natural history museums with discovery spaces and clear “quiet rooms”, and Children’s museums offer limited-capacity mornings and staff-led tours.

Liberty Science Center’s sensory days offers an entire day of science learning for children with Autism and sensory sensitivities. lsc.org

American Museum of Natural History’s Discovery Squad, on select mornings, offers a unique tour program designed for families of children with autism. Tours take place before the Museum is open and are free. Registration is required, no walk-ins accepted. Enjoy a guided 45-minute tour of a select hall followed by 45 minutes of free play and exploration in the Discovery Room.

Intrepid Museum Access Family Programs opens its doors early on select weekends for an hour-long interactive session specially crafted for kids on the autism spectrum and their families. Themed sessions focus on different ports of call, traditions at sea, and ocean life. Apr 26, May 9, Jul 25, Aug 9.

The Met’s Discoveries program gives children and adults with learning disabilities and those on the autism spectrum—plus their families—the opportunity to enjoy a multi-sensory experience complete with a tactile art project. Each session begins with a gallery tour exploring the day’s theme, and it concludes with an art activity.

Jewish Museum’s Access Family Workshops - Join museum educators to examine art, then create your own masterpiece in a related workshop. Reservations are required.

The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia - Enjoy hands on exhibits and experiences related to science, the brain, sports, space, the human body and more! The museum Sensory Guide provides guidance and helpful tips on certain experiences that may have high levels of stimulation. Sensory backpacks are stocked with helpful tools like noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses, fidgets, and sensory guide alerts to help reduce sensory stimulation. Fi.edu

4. VISIT A FARM

Alstede Farms is a welcoming, family-friendly destination that prioritizes inclusivity for all visitors. They offer ADA-accessible wagon rides, ensuring that everyone, regardless of mobility needs, can fully enjoy the farm experience. Their accessible wagons provide a comfortable and safe way to explore the farm’s orchards, fields, and attractions.

5. PLAY IN AN ACCESSIBLE PARK & PLAYGROUND

For a List of Handicap and Wheelchair Accessible Trails and Parks in New Jersey.

6. EXPLORE AQUATIC LIFE

Adventure Aquarium is KultureCity certified and offers marine life accessible viewing areas, sensory bags, headphone zones, and designated quiet areas. Explore sea life on Sensory Sundays presented by Shriners, on the second Sunday of every month from 9:30am-10:30am, the aquarium’s first hour of opening. adventureaquarium.com

Jenkinson’s Aquarium Sensory Saturdays for guests with autism, sensory processing, and other cognitive challenges to have fun and explore the aquarium before it’s open to the public, with less crowds, less noise and less stimulation. Check website for any upcoming dates. Point Pleasant Beach, NJ.

SEA LIFE Aquarium at American Dream Mall offers exhibits on fish, stingrays, sharks, Jellyfish, and more! Aquariums offer sensory experiences that can be calming and soothing for kids. Opening hours in the morning may be less crowded for a visit. East Rutherford, NJ. visitsealife.com/new-jersey

7. VISIT A THEME PARK

Fairy Tale Forest offers a sensory friendly park where you can explore life-size cottages depicting classic fairy tales! The entire forest is an exhibit of classic stories. Among many attractions, find Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater, Rapunzel, Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White and Seven Dwarfs, The Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks & The Three Bears and more. Oak Ridge, NJ. fairytaleforest.com

8. WALK AROUND BOTANICAL GARDENS

Brooklyn Botanical Garden’s Fragrance Garden was designed to bring people in close contact with plants to stimulate the senses of smell and touch. Created in 1955, it was the first garden in the country designed to accommodate people with visual impairments, though its multisensory approach appeals to all visitors, particularly children. Visitors are encouraged to touch and smell the plants here. Braille and raised text labels identify many of the specimens, which grow in raised beds at just the right height for children and for people in wheelchairs. Garden beds are arranged by theme: plants with scented leaves, plants for touch, fragrant flowers, and kitchen herbs. It is a four-season outdoor garden, and different plants are present at different times of the year. bbg.org

New Jersey State Botanical Garden (njbg.org) offers immersive sensory experiences through its 96 acres of varied, designed landscapes, including winter gardens, conifer collections, and formal gardens focused on color, texture, and form. Visit the Fragrance & Sensory Garden at Colonial Park (Somerset) and the Sensory Garden at Laurelwood Arboretum (Wayne).

9. CATCH A BASEBALL GAME

Walk around Yankee Stadium, eat at the concession stands, visit the baseball museum, and seek the sensory room located on the Terrace Level at Section 320C available to Guests of all ages who have sensory processing needs, and includes activity panels, bean bag chairs, bubble walls, and fidget toys among other items to assist Guests. Guests interested in utilizing the Sensory Room may visit the Guest Relations Booth located at Section 320C.

10. EXPLORE FUNDRAISERS EVENTS

Go the Distance For Autism @ Over Peck Park. A day of fun and adventure in a supported environment for children with autism and their families. Activities include face painting, games, rock climbing wall, bounce house, food, and many other family-friendly activities. 400 Paramus Rd, Paramus, NJ, May 31, 2026

11. WATCH AN AUTISM FRIENDLY MOVIE

Local theaters that advertise an autism friendly performance or sensory friendly performance with relaxed rules and adjusted technology.

AMC Theaters Sensory Friendly Films. AMC partners with the Autism Society to offer special movie showings for guests with sensory sensitivities. Second and fourth Saturday (family-friendly). During these films, lights remain up, audio volume is lowered, and children are free to talk and move around. Multiple Locations; check with your local AMC theater.

My Way Matinees – Regal Theaters offers My Way Matinees at select locations, allowing families with children with special needs to enjoy movies in a comfortable environment. Lights remain up, audio is lowered, and children are free to talk and move around without judgment. Check your local Regal Theater for participating locations and showtimes.

12. GO GAMING!

Club DREAMS Inclusive Video Gaming Club – is a welcoming space for young gamers of all abilities to come together and share their passion for video games. The club encourages teamwork, creativity, and respectful communication through a variety of multiplayer games.Whether casual or competitive, participants enjoy a supportive environment to make friends, explore new games, and celebrate what makes each player unique. Ewing, NJ

Shining Stars Sports League - A developmental sports league designed for individuals with special needs, focusing on gross motor skills, sport fundamentals, and socialization. Participants enjoy a mix of clinic-style instruction and game play in a supportive, inclusive environment. Modified equipment, rules, and gameplay are used to enhance learning and maximize success. Each season features a different sport. Livingston, NJ

13. RIDE THE FERRY

Ferries run from New Jersey to New York. Take an adventure on the water. Download the NY Waterway ferry app and find an appropriate route and time where you can get away from the crowds.

14. CONNECT WITH OTHERS

Abilities Expo - Held at the New Jersey Convention & Expo Center, May 1-3, 2026 in Edison. The three-day Abilities Expo offers free, all-access passes to empowerment. Explore cutting-edge technology, adaptive activities, info-packed workshops, and discover gadgets designed to make life easier and more accessible.

Law and Disability Conference, June 8, 9am-1pm an annual event held at the New Jersey Law Center and co-sponsored with the Community Health Law Project. This year’s sessions cover key issues including housing, immigration, education, and oversight for children with disabilities. This free, informative event is designed for individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers.

Autism NJ Power of Connection Conference Oct 22-23, Harrahs, Atlantic City Autism NJ is hosting its 43rd Annual Autism Conference, offering workshops, keynote presentations, and networking opportunities for professionals, individuals on the autism spectrum, and their families.

Spring is the perfect time to get out, explore, and make memories with your family in New Jersey. From hands-on activities to outdoor adventures, there’s something for everyone—so grab the kids, plan your visit, and make this season unforgettable!