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Sensory-Friendly Activities in

Pennsylvania

Misericordia University

Easter EGGstravaganza

 Join Misericordia's Cougars for Autism Awareness at their Easter EGGstravaganza event! This exciting event will take place on Sunday, March 24th in Insalaco rooms 217, 218, and 219. Time slots are available from 1pm to 4pm, featuring a variety of activities including games, crafts, snacks, and sensory bins. Plus, you'll have the option to meet the Easter Bunny!


Reserve your spot by clicking the link above. Thank you, and don't hesitate to reach out with any questions to Davisi1@misericordia.edu!


Misericordia University

301 Lake Street

Dallas, PA 18612

215-932-8299

Roxey Ballet Company

Sensory Friendly Performance - Children's Classic Stories

Please join us for a Sensory Friendly Performance of Children's Classic Stories Carnival of the Animals and Sleeping Beauty Saturday, April 13th at 3:00pm  This performance is suitable for children and adults with ASD and other special needs or sensitivities.



Adaptations to the performance include decreased sound levels, elimination of special effects, reduced length of performance, and increased house lighting. It is also a great option for very young children, providing a relaxed atmosphere with the freedom to move around.


Roxey Ballet Company

46 N Sugan Road

New Hope, PA

609-397-7244

Roxey Ballet Company

Sensory Friendly Ballet Performace

Please join us for a Sensory Friendly Performance of Children's Classic Stories- Carnival of the Animals and Sleeping Beauty  Saturday, April 13th at 3:00pm  This performance is suitable for children and adults with ASD and other special needs or sensitivities.


Adaptations to the performance include decreased sound levels, elimination of special effects, reduced length of performance, and increased house lighting. It is also a great option for very young children, providing a relaxed atmosphere with the freedom to move around.


Roxey Ballet Company

The Mill Ballet School

46 N Sugan Rd.

New Hope, PA 18938

609-397-7244

Sensory Fit LLC

Sensory Gym

Hello! Sensory FIT is an indoor sensory gym specialized for children ages 1-8 with special needs. Owned and operated by occupational therapy practitioners, we provide a safe and inclusive space for special needs families. Our sensory gym is a place where children will have their sensory needs met, socialize and meet new friends! We offer open play, birthday parties, group classes and special events.


Sensory FIT LLC

226 Exton Square Mall

Exton PA 19341

Lewisburg Children's Museum

Sensory Friendly Family Night

Join us for Sensory Friendly Family Nights (on 2nd Fridays of the month), a special Museum event for children with autism spectrum or sensory processing disorders. The Museum will limit capacity, turn down sounds and lights, and provide adaptive equipment to offer a safe and fun experience for all! These programs are sponsored by the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way and are free for participants. 


This event is recommended for all ages and registration is required. Please purchase a ticket for each family member attending, 2 year and older.  To register: https://bit.ly/3wEnKQq


Lewisburg Children's Museum

815 Market Street

Lewisburg, PA 17837

570-768-4914

Fading Autism Barbershop

Specialized in Autism-Friendly Hairstyling & Hair Cuts


Founded by a family with autism in Kutztown, PA!


From their website: The barber shop operates as an LLC business Tuesday through Saturday  with a Saturday $10 special from 4 to 7 p.m. On Sundays the shop  operates as a non-profit charitable organization, closed to the public,  offering free haircuts to children on the autism spectrum, working  one-on-one with families.


Fading Autism Barbershop
269 West Main Street
Kutztown, PA 19530

484-648-1443

The Mill Ballet School

Sensory Friendly Performance of The Nutcracker


Roxey Ballet presents The Nutcracker on December 9th at 3pm.  Tickets are $30.  Roxey Ballet is proud to offer relaxed, sensory-friendly performances for children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, special needs or any other challenges. These performances are great for families with young children. We provide a  friendly, supportive environment for families with special needs loved ones to experience live theater and dance.


Adaptations for the show include:


  • Lower sound levels

  • Elimination of potentially startling special effects and lighting

  • House lights on at about 20%

  • You are free to get up, move around, and leave whenever you need to

  • A reduced length of performance

  • Allowed use of iPads and other electronics for therapeutic uses

  • Volunteers scattered throughout the theater to assist and direct audience members as needed

  • Quiet areas for taking a break

  • Fidget objects and earplugs available

  • Story boards, visits before or after public hours, meet-a-seat program are available upon request.


The Mill Ballet School

46 N Sugan Rd.

New Hope, PA 18938

609-397-7616

Coyle Free Library

Sensory Story Time

3rd Wednesday of the Month at 10:00am PennCares and Coyle Free Library are proud to offer sensory story time. This unique story time is for children aged 2 - 4 and targeted to those with sensory needs, but all are welcome. Join us for an interactive & hands on story time session. Children will enjoy book themed learning stations, sensory play, music & movement and more. No registration required. Sensory story time was made possible through a grant from the Franklin County Community Foundation, a regional foundation of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities.

 

Coyle Free Library

102 N Main St

Chambersburg, PA 17201

717-263-1054

New Cumberland Public Library

Sensory Story Time

10:30am beginning Friday, October 18, 2019 PennCares and New Cumberland Library are proud to offer sensory story time. This unique story time is for children aged 2 - 4 and targeted to those with sensory needs, but all are welcome. Join us for an interactive & hands on story time session. Children will enjoy book themed learning stations, sensory play, music & movement and more.

 

No registration required. Sensory story time was made possible through a grant from the Franklin County Community Foundation, a regional foundation of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities.

 

New Cumberland Public Library

1 Benjamin Plaza

New Cumberland, PA 17070

717-774-7820

Dillsburg Area Library

Sensory Story Time

Mondays at 10:30am PennCares and Dillsburg Area Public Library are proud to offer sensory story time. This unique story time is for children aged 2 - 4 and targeted to those with sensory needs, but all are welcome. Join us for an interactive & hands on story time session. Children will enjoy book themed learning stations, sensory play, music & movement and more.

 

No registration required. Sensory story time was made possible through a grant from the Franklin County Community Foundation, a regional foundation of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities

Dillsburg Area Library

204 Mumper Ln

Dillsburg, PA 17019

717-432-5613

Amelia Given Library

Sensory Story Time

Wednesdays from 11:30am-12:15pm PennCares and Amelia Givin Library are proud to offer sensory story time. This unique story time is for children aged 2 - 4 and targeted to those with sensory needs, but all are welcome. Join us for an interactive & hands on story time session. Children will enjoy book themed learning stations, sensory play, music & movement and more.

 

No registration required. Sensory story time was made possible through a grant from the Franklin County Community Foundation, a regional foundation of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities.

Amelia Givin Library

114 N Baltimore Ave

Mt Holly Springs, PA 17065

717-486-3688

Penn Museum

Family Access Programs

From their website: "Engage all of your senses in the Penn Museum’s Family Access Programs. Designed for visitors with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their families, our multisensory accessible offerings use role play, storytelling, movement, and touch to bring the lives of the ancients to life." Additional programming includes: "ARCHAEOLOGY IN THE A.M.

 

Designed for teens and young adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities, Archaeology in the A.M. pairs the lives of the ancients with making new friends. Participants in this new social program are encouraged to interact with peers through a series of multimodal drop-in activities in the first hour, with the second hour featuring an art-making workshop. A social networking space for parents and family friends will also highlight various community service organizations. A designated quiet space with dimmed lighting and fidget toys will be accessible throughout each event, and a limited number of noise-reducing headphones will be available to borrow.

 

See below for upcoming dates and themes. Archaeology in the A.M. is free with Museum admission, with special discounts available: ACCESS cardholders receive a discounted admission price of $2.00 per person for up to four visitors. Archaeology in the A.M. is made possible by the Philadelphia Autism Project. To learn more visit www.phillyautismproject.org."

 

Penn Museum

3260 South Street

Philadelphia, PA 19104

215-746-6774

education@pennmuseum.org

National Chains That May Have Sensory-Friendly Activities in Your Area: 

Autism on the Seas

Sensory-friendly Cruises

Autism on the Seas (AOTS) provides specialized cruise vacation services designed for adults and families with cognitive, intellectual, and developmental disabilities. AOTS enhances the traditional cruise experience with additional support, including respite care, personalized activities, and guided participation in shipboard entertainment. Their services also include expedited boarding and disembarkation, among other tailored accommodations. Their dedicated team of professional volunteers, who are background checked, approved by the cruise lines, and trained in managing a range of behaviors and needs, is committed to making every voyage enjoyable. AOTS extends support services to include families and friends traveling together, ensuring that everyone has a memorable and comfortable experience.


Autism on the Seas

494 Bridgeport Avenue Suite 101-346

Shelton, CT 06484-4762

203-604-0278

Turtle Dance Music & AutismFriendlyShows.com

Turtle Dance Music & AutismFriendlyShows.com

Turtle Dance Music and AutismFriendlyShows.com helps kids come out  of their shells with autism-friendly music, bubble and comedy concerts.  Our 30-45 minute concerts are perfect for special events for autism  centers, early learning centers, education conferences and schools! We  play over 60 different instruments including guitar, banjo, didgeridoo,  beatboxing, loopstations and it's funnier than having Jim Carrey or  Robin Williams visit your school. We also do sensory-friendly activities  like big GIANT bubbles! 


We travel all over the country and have a  block-booking pricing structure that will make our fees workable for  your budget. All of our instructors have graduate degrees in special  education, autism intervention, early childhood development and music  therapy. This program is solely for entertainment and special events and  not for private or group therapy services.


Check us out at https://www.TurtleDanceMusic.com, https://www.Youtube.com/TurtleDanceMusic, or Info@TurtleDanceMusic.com


973-493-2326

Spectrum Sailing

Free Autism Sailing Camps

We are the only national autism sailing program.  Spectrum Sailing travels the country to multiple cities offering FREE sailing camps to local kids.


847-863-3059

Glass Slipper Initiative

Summer Art Paradise

Join Glass Slipper Initiative and Friends of Children with Special Needs for a free accommodating online art event for children with disabilities! It will be on July 22nd from 10 AM to 12 PM, where we'll have multiple stations for different crafts for any skill level. All you'll need is paper, scissors, and some coloring supplies! Sign up at bit.ly/GSI-Summer.  If you can't make the event, but you'd like to be notified about other ones in the future, go to glassslipperinitiative.org and click "sign up" to join our mailing list for future events and opportunities for your kids.

RockonMusic School

RockonMusic Lessons

Use the positive power of music to learn to play  instruments, sing and create. Each one-on-one session is tailored to the  individual's skills and motivations. I specialize in those impacted by  autism or other disabilities. Live Westchester & Putnam Counties, NY  and on Zoom, anywhere....since 2016.


RockonMusicSchool

914-489-0520

Proud to Be Me

Free Dance Therapy Classes for Children with Developmental Disabilities!


This dance class is designed for elementary and middle schoolers with any intellectual, developmental, or sensory impairments! Our beginner-level dance and movement classes currently take place through Zoom and provide a fun outlet for children to let out energy and meet new people. The free class is also designed to help refine and improve things like motor skills, concentration, social/communication abilities, and general happiness.


More information on website (linked above).


Proud to Be Me

734-660-7136

Alamo Theatre

Alamo for All

From their website: "Welcome to Alamo for All - a movie program for young families and guests with special needs.  All shows starting before 2 pm on Tuesdays follow Alamo for All rules, with more shows on the weekends.  Schedule may vary during holidays.  At sensory-friendly Alamo for All shows,

  • Lights are turned up and sound is turned down

  • All ages are welcome (including infants)

  • Talking and noise is allowed and guests can move around

  • Latecomers are admitted

  • Adaptive technology is welcome (but no other electronics, please)

 

Bought a ticket to an Alamo for All show by mistake?  No problem!  Contact the theater and we'll be glad to refund or exchange your ticket for another show.

​Check the link above for dates and locations.

We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym

The Gym for All Kids

From their website: "We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gyms was founded to provide a place for children of all ability levels to play and grow together. As the only kids gym that offers an inclusive philosophy we have found all children can benefit from our uniquely designed sensory equipment that is specifically designed to aid children with sensory processing disorders. However, in our experience, all children are able to benefit greatly from this equipment and by allowing children of all ability levels to play together they are able to learn a great deal from each other and become the best motivation for success on every level.

Our Gym Includes:

  • Suspended equipment with swings – for balance and vestibular treatment

  • Crash mats and crash pillows – for fun, motor planning, and strength

  • Zip line – for stress release and joint and body relaxation

  • Trampoline – for building leg and core strength

  • Indoor play structure – for climbing and increasing playground skills

  • Sensory-based toys – for improved auditory processing and fine motor skills

  • Fine Motor and Arts and Crafts Area – for improved hand-eye coordination"

​Check the link above for locations.

Autism Eats

Autism Friendly Dining

From their webpage: Providing autism-friendly non-judgmental environments for family dining, socializing and connecting with others who share similar joys and challenges. ALL behaviors are welcomed!

Check the website above for restaurants and dates!

Cobb Theatres

Sensory Friendly Films

Sensory Friendly showings provide families with varying abilities the opportunity to enjoy a family friendly film where kids can be kids in a safe and accepting environment. The auditoriums are made comfortable by brighter lights and the sound level is turned down. The audience is encouraged to be themselves and interact with the movie, while having fun without the worry of disturbing others. Dance, sing and enjoy the show!!!


All shows will begin at 10am local time. Films, dates and program are subject to change. Tickets are available in person only the Wednesday prior to each showing.


Check the link above for dates and locations.

Marcus Theaters

REEL MOVIES FOR Real Needs

A Special Showing for Families and Individuals with Special Needs. We understand that sometimes it is difficult or uncomfortable for families with special needs children to attend movies together.

 

Marcus Theatres Reel Movies for Reel Needs is a specially designed program to serve families with special needs such as autism or other challenges, who seldom attend movies. Reel Movies for Real Needs creates a welcoming and comfortable environment – lower sound, lights up – where families with children who need accommodations will be able to share the experience of seeing family friendly films at a theatre.

Check the link above for dates and locations.

Urban Air Adventure Park

Sensory Friendly Jump

NEW sensory friendly jump time for our special needs community only, every First Sunday of the month from 10am-12n (time/date varies per location).

No flashing lights, no whistles, low music level, and less crowded. We invite you and your families to join us! Reduced rates available (varies per location). Open to sensory-sensitive individuals, their siblings and care-givers only.

Check the link above for dates and locations.

Studio Movie Grill

Sensory Friendly Screenings

A pillar of SMG’s Outreach since 2003, our monthly Special Needs Screenings are designed for families raising children with special needs. Special Needs Screenings are shown with the lights up and the volume lowered and children are free to move around, talk, or even dance in the aisles during the movie.

The sensory friendly screenings are free for children with special needs and their siblings. Adult tickets are available at before-noon price. There are no advance ticket sales. Parental guidance is always suggested.

Special Needs Screenings are shown at 11:00am at all SMG locations except EpiCentre. SMG Downey, Monrovia and Redlands look forward to offering our special needs screening program in the near future. We are currently in process of installing new seating and will subsequently undergo remodeling to our full concept. These locations will offer special needs screenings as soon as this work has been completed. 

​Check the link above for dates and locations.

Regal Cinemas

My Way Matinee

Sensory friendly movie screenings with sounds lower, lights brighter.

​Check the link above for dates and locations.

AMC Theaters

Sensory Friendly Films

AMC is proud to partner with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where we turn the lights up, and turn the sound down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing! Our Sensory Friendly Film program is available on the second and fourth Saturday (family-friendly) and Tuesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month. Please check your local theatre listings for specific showtimes, and don't forget to share your family fun with #AMCSensoryFriendly.

​Check the link above for dates and locations.

Major Airports

Wings for Autism®/Wings for All®

Wings for Autism®/Wings for All® are airport “rehearsals” specially designed for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities. The programs are designed to alleviate the stress that families who have a child with autism or intellectual/developmental disabilities experience when flying. It provides families the opportunity to practice entering the airport, obtaining boarding passes, going through security and boarding a plane. Airport, airline, Transportation Security Administration professionals, and other personnel also have the opportunity to observe, interact, and deliver their services in a structured learning environment.

​Check the link above for dates and locations.

Sky Zone

Sensory Hours

Enjoy the freedom of jumping. Sensory hours provide a quieter, toned-down jumping experience for those with special needs.

​Check the link above for dates and locations.

Chuck E. Cheese

Sensory Sensitive Sundays

Chuck E. Cheese's is proud to support families who have children with autism and special needs. We now offer a sensory-friendly experience on the first Sunday of every month. Our trained and caring staff is there to make sure each guest has a fun filled visit. The Sensory Sensitive Sundays experience includes:

  • Less crowding and noise

  • Dimmed lighting

  • Show and music turned off or down

  • Limited appearances by Chuck E.

  • Food and games are offered

 

Check the link above for dates and locations.

iFly

All Abilities Night

All Abilities Night at iFLY is a unique event that makes the dream of flight a reality for those in the special needs community. This program has been custom designed for those with physical and cognitive challenges to create an environment of support and inclusion, while focusing on making what seems impossible, possible.​

​Check the link above for dates and locations.

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