If you’re looking for sensory-friendly outings, have we got a list for you?
Lights, camera…too much action! If you have a child with sensory sensitivity, then you know all too well how overwhelming public outings can feel. What might be a fun adventure for many children can quickly become a formidable obstacle for children sensitive to stimuli such as bright lights, loud sounds, and large crowds.
As the mother of a child on the Autism spectrum, I have spent the last decade seeking out sensory-friendly experiences that are comfortable and beneficial for all of my children. Thankfully, the Seattle area has many incredible resources and sensory-friendly outings available. Read on for my top picks of sensory-friendly activities around the Seattle area.
Sensory-friendly outings at the museum, zoos, and aquarium
Pacific Science Center Exploration For All
Dates: Select Saturdays throughout the year
Cost: Free, tickets available onsite at the event
Exploration For All allows guests to visit the museum outside of general public hours with fewer crowds and accommodations such as softer lighting, decreased noise, and lower visual stimulation. All museum exhibits are open during Exploration For All events, as are other offerings such as a live science show, a planetarium show, and access to the Tinker Tank Maker Space. Access is available at the North Entrance, and tickets are available at the entrance.
Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop) Sensory Friendly Program
Dates: Select Saturdays throughout the year
Cost: Free; registration required (registration typically opens about 3 weeks ahead of each event)
The MoPop Sensory Friendly Program allows guests to visit the museum outside of the general public hours. During program hours, there is lower volume and light levels and fewer guests. Registration is required, and all guests are sent information about the event ahead of time that includes a social story, a map of the museum, and a timeline of the day to help them learn more about what to expect at the Sensory Friendly Program.
Seattle Aquarium Sensory Inclusive Packs
Cost: Accessibility services included with paid admission
The Seattle Aquarium has partnered with KultureCity to improve accessibility for those with sensory needs. Weighted lap pads and sensory bags that include fidgets, noise-canceling headphones, and other resources are available for checkout at the Guest Services desk. You can also download the Kulture City app for Apple or Android devices for further assistance with your sensory-sensitive aquarium visit. While you’re there, check out the Aquarium’s brand new Ocean Pavillion that opened on August 29th.
Cost: Free, pre-registration required
Guests of all ages can visit the Museum of Flight for a free sensory-friendly opportunity before regular operating hours on designated dates throughout the year. Select exhibits, including the Aviation Pavilion and the Simonyi Space Gallery, will be open early so guests can explore the museum with fewer crowds and adjusted light and sound. Sensory Days guests also receive a 15% discount in The Museum Store, and Wings Cafe is open. Social narratives with pictures and descriptions of what to expect at the Museum of Flight are available to download on the Museum of Flight website.
For additional information about Museum of Flight Sensory Days and year-round sensory-friendly opportunities, email Access@museumofflight.org
Cost: Accessibility services included with paid admission
Woodland Park Zoo has compiled an extensive Accessibility Guide to help make the zoo more accessible for guests of all abilities. Within the Accessibility Guide is a section for guests with sensory needs that includes helpful information for planning a sensory-friendly visit. The zoo’s sensory map outlines locations throughout the zoo where guests can go to relax or get out some wiggles. The Accessibility Guide also provides downloadable social stories available for Woodland Park Zoo and the Zoomazium indoor play area.
For a unique experience at the zoo, sensory-sensitive guests can also visit Wild Lanterns Sensory Friendly Nights. These seasonal night-time events are designed to offer visitors low-sensory experiences in a festive environment. During the Sensory Friendly Nights, Zoomazium will offer a low-sensory space with dimmed lighting and soft owl and wind sounds in the background. Zoomazium instructors will facilitate an activity each night at 6:30 p.m.. Guests can also download the Wild Lanterns social story from the Wild Lanterns website before their visit.
Cost: Accessibility services included with paid admission
The Burke Museum’s visitor services team provides amenities such as noise-canceling earmuffs and fidget wristbands for guests with sensory needs to use during museum visits. Caregivers of individuals with disabilities receive free admission–simply let the front desk know when you arrive if you need a caregiver admission. For older children, teens, and adults who might benefit from an individualized audio tour, an accessibility audio guide is available for the Archaeology Gallery’s “Our Material World.” For more information about the audio guide, visit the museum’s website.
Children’s Museums:
KidsQuest Children’s Museum Sensory Accessibility
Dates: Third Thursday of every month from 3:00-5:00 PM; Low sensory bags are available for checkout during all museum hours
Cost: Free. Registration required
Low-sensory nights offer guests many resources for a safe and fun visit. These include sensory tools, autism-inclusive services, and staff specially trained in Sensory Access For All. Also, guests can check out low-sensitivity bags whenever the museum is open. The bags include fidgets, noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, and a low-sensitivity storybook introducing the museum.
Imagine Children’s Museum Sensory Time
Dates: Third Sunday of every month from 9:00-11:00 AM
Cost: Free for children ages 1-12 and their caregivers. Registration required
During Sensory Time, guests receive exclusive access to the North side of the museum for a quieter and less crowded visit. Sound-reducing earmuffs, sunglasses, and sensory balls are available. Specially trained staff are available to provide a safe and understanding environment. Children (and their adults!) of all ages will enjoy a variety of hands-on learning experiences and activities!
Parks
Seattle Children’s PlayGarden
1745 24th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
Cost: Free; open every day from dawn until dusk
Located in the heart of Seattle, the Seattle PlayGarden is a public space like no other. This fully-fenced 1-acre playground and garden seeks to provide children of all abilities a safe place to play, learn, and explore. During Free Play hours, the PlayGarden is staffed with trained leaders who can help facilitate play and offer support as needed. Quiet spaces are available throughout the park, and the natural surroundings help visitors feel like they’re stepping into another world beyond the hustle and bustle just outside the garden walls. The inclusive playground was designed not just to be accessible to children of all physical abilities, but to be intentionally inclusive. In addition to the play spaces, kids of all ages will enjoy visiting the resident ducks and chickens that roam the park during open hours.
Tot Lot Park
111 9th Ave E, Kirkland
A fenced playground that prevents wandering and running away is a godsend for parents of children with autism, ADHD, or similar disabilities. The Tot Lot, ideal for children 2 to 5 years old, includes a simple play structure, a cement climbable turtle, a sand pit with toys, and a climb-in wooden truck. Community garden plots adjoin the park, with wide paths for riding trikes.
Phyllis A. Needy Park Houghton Neighborhood Park
10811 NE 47th St, Kirkland
At Phyllis Needy Park there’s also fully fenced play space with a latchable gate and has a larger number of tot-sized climbers and playground equipment along with a big sand pit with digging toys and wide paths for riding. There’s a restroom and a basketball court.
Miner’s Corner Park
22903 45th Ave SE, Bothell
An intermittent stream for water play flows through Miner’s Corner Park, Snohomish County’s first 100 percent accessible facility. All playground equipment is wheelchair-accessible, including a 10-foot tall look-out tower. There’s plenty to challenge children of all abilities in the “forts” connected by bridges: for example, a long corkscrew slide comes off the tower, along with two intermediate slides and a long, low one close to the ground. The sand and water garden includes buried dinosaur bones, and wide accessible paths weave through prairie and forest habitats.
[Find more sensory and special needs-friendly parks here.]
Sensory-friendly outings at the library
King County Library System (KCLS)
Cost: Free
King County Libraries strive to be fully accessible for patrons of all abilities. One of the (many) amazing things about libraries is that, by nature, they are sensory-friendly. From the hushed stillness of reading rooms to the clean and spacious buildings, libraries are inherently sensory-friendly. Private meeting rooms can be reserved for additional quiet space to work or read, and adaptive devices are available at many KCLS locations. Additionally, for those who would like to enjoy the library from the comfort of their own home, online story times are available for different age and interest groups in a variety of languages.
Cost: Free
All branches of the Seattle Public Library have assistive technology and toolkits, including noise-canceling ear muffs for those with sensory sensitivity. Additionally, the Central Library contains SPL’s LEAP (Library Equal Access Program) Lab, which has a variety of assistive devices available during scheduled drop-in hours. All-ability story times focusing on sensory-friendly environments are available throughout the year (Visit SPL’s storytime calendar to find upcoming events).
Sensory-friendly outings at the movie theaters
Dates: First show of the day on select Saturdays each month at participating locations
Cost: Accessibility services included with paid admission
My Way Matinee offers guests a movie experience with lower volume and brighter lights, This is a safe space where guests are free to express themselves by singing, dancing, walking around, or talking while enjoying a fun movie theater outing.
Dates: Family-friendly showings on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, times vary by participating theater
Cost: Accessibility services included with paid admission
AMC has partnered with the Autism Society for 15 years to provide sensory-friendly movie showings. Guests at Sensory Friendly Films can expect turned up lights and turned down volume as well as the freedom to talk and move throughout the theater.
Sensory-friendly outing: Live performances
Sensory Sensitive Performances at Seattle Children’s Theatre
Dates: One Sunday morning performance per production
Cost: Accessibility services included with paid admission
Before visiting a sensory-sensitive performance, guests can use Seattle Children’s Theatre’s theatre guides, prompt sheets, and story books to help prepare for the visit (available on the Seattle Children’s Theatre website). Tours of the theatre can also be arranged ahead of your visit. Modifications are made to each sensory-sensitive performance, including changes to the performance (increased lighting throughout the performance, lower sound levels, and lower seating capacity) and relaxed theatre rules (use of electronic devices with headphones is permitted, and guests are welcome to bring special seating devices, fidgets, and food). Specially trained staff are also available to assist when necessary during sensory-sensitive performances.
Sensory Friendly Performances with Seattle Theatre Group
Cost: Accessibility services included with paid admission
Seattle Theatre Group’s Sensory Friendly Performances are designed to provide a supportive and judgment-free environment for all audience members. During Sensory Friendly Performances, lights are kept on a low level in the theater during the performance, strobe lights are reduced, and the sound level is lowered. Designated quiet areas are available in the theater, and guests are welcome to leave their seats as needed during the performance. Sensory supports such as fidgets and noise-canceling ear muffs are available in the lobby for guests to borrow during the show, or guests are welcome to bring their own supports from home. During this performance, specially trained staff and therapists are available throughout the theater to offer a safe and welcoming environment for all guests. ASL interpretation is available during this performance.
Sensory Access at The 5th Avenue Theatre
Cost: Accessibility services included with paid admission
The 5th Avenue Theatre has partnered with Seattle-based non-profit Sensory Access to make performances more accessible to audience members. Before visiting, guests can download sensory guides and social narratives on The 5th Avenue Theatre website. Sensory access kits are available to check out at the coat check, and they include tools such as fidgets, headphones, communication cards for non-verbal guests, and an optional sunflower lanyard to notify staff that there is a hidden disability and additional support may be needed.
Seattle Opera Sensory Friendly Performances
Cost: Accessibility services included with paid admission
As part of its efforts to provide access to the arts for guests of all abilities, Seattle Opera offers sensory-friendly support and performances. Patrons with sensory needs can visit Seattle Opera’s website to view its social storybook and sensory guide before any performance. The sensory guide lists moments of heightened visual or sound effects and emotional intensity so patrons can prepare for their visit.
Pacific Northwest Ballet Sensory Friendly Performances
Cost: Accessibility services included with paid admission
Pacific Northwest Ballet provides several sensory-friendly accommodations and performances. Sensory guides and social stories can be downloaded from their website to help prepare guests for what to expect during the live dance performance. Many sensory-friendly performances throughout the season have a relaxed environment that includes lighting and sound modifications as well as entry/exit privileges. Sensory supports such as fidgets and noise-canceling ear muffs are available in the lobby before sensory-friendly performances, and guests are welcome to bring items such as electronic devices with headphones to use as sensory supports during the performance. Designated quiet and activity areas are available throughout the venue, and specially trained staff are available for assistance.
Sensory-friendly outing: Stadium Events
Cost: Accessibility services included with paid admission
Sporting events can be overwhelming to fans with sensory sensitivity, but our hometown sports teams offer several accommodations to help make going out to a ball game accessible for everyone. Seahawks fans can check out a complimentary sensory toolkit that includes sensory toys, noise-canceling headphones, and a special ID that helps Seahawks staff recognize guests who may need extra assistance or considerations. Lumen Field also provides a quiet space called Ben’s Sensory Room for fans who may become over-stimulated. Ben’s Sensory Room is open during all stadium events and is available to guests of all ages (an adult must accompany children).
Cost: Accessibility services included with paid admission
Guests at the Mariners home turf, T-Mobile Field, can enjoy a safe and comfortable viewing experience. Complimentary noise-canceling ear muffs are available for guests with sensory sensitivity; simply visit the Main Guest Service Center at Section 128 for more information. In past seasons, The Mariners have also provided Autism Acceptance Day events with perks such as specially priced tickets that benefit the Autism Society of Washington and a designated sensory-sensitive quiet area for breaks.
Guests with sensory sensitivity should be advised that fireworks and in-game effects such as loud noises and lighting effects are present during every Mariners home game.
Cost: Accessibility services included with paid admission
Whether you’re watching the Seattle Kraken, the Seattle Storm or rocking out at a mainstage concert, Climate Pledge Arena provides sensory supports to make the experience more enjoyable for guests with sensory sensitivity. Visit any Guest Service desk location to borrow a sensory kit that includes noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, feeling thermometer cards, and identification cards that can help clue in staff members to individuals with sensory needs who may require additional time or assistance. If guests feel overstimulated or overwhelmed, they are welcome to visit the quiet sensory room located on the North East side of the PitchBook Suite Level.
Sensory-friendly outing: Swimming
Cost: $7 is the class fee, but free for residents and non-residents under 2
The sensory-friendly swim is appropriate for families with children on the autism spectrum, with sensory processing disorders, or with other special needs. The Lynnwood pools turn off the spray and music, limiting attendance so kids can have fun in a quieter environment. The swim includes the lake, beach, and family hot tub. Adapted swim lessons and group lessons will continue. Children under 2 are free but must register for a spot. A paying adult must accompany all children under the age of six.
With so many sensory-friendly outings in the Seattle area, families have many options for safe, fun, and inclusive outings. Now is the time for all abilities to enjoy all that our region has to offer!
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Find more things to do on the Seattle’s Child calendar
