During the chilly, winter months, your child may have pent-up energy leaving you to look for activities to get them out of the house. If your child has developmental delays or disabilities, you may not only be looking for somewhere fun but also sensory-friendly. You can find a list of family-friendly activities that are accommodating for children with a sensory processing disorder or special needs below.
Dallas Children’s Theater
5938 Skillman St, Dallas, TX 75231 | Map
Dallas Children’s Theater provides a number of sensory-friendly performances throughout the year. Production adaptations to these shows include leaving the house lights up a few levels higher than a standard performance and reducing the sound level. The theater also provides a quiet room for children looking to take a break. Tickets for sensory-friendly performances are $5 per person. Call the theater’s box office to book tickets at 214-740-0051. Click here to learn more.
We Rock the Spectrum Sensory Gym
Dallas location: 11722 Marsh Lane, #336, Dallas, TX 75229| Map
Plano location: 1941 Preston Road, Suite 1022, Plano, TX 75093| Map
We Rock the Spectrum is an indoor kids playground for families of all abilities to come and play. The gym includes suspended equipment with swings, crash mats and pillows, a zip line, a trampoline, an indoor play structure, sensory-based toys, and a fine motor and arts and crafts area. The gym offers classes as well as open play hours. Monthly memberships are available. Click here to learn more.
Grapevine Public Library
1201 Municipal Way, Grapevine, TX 76051| Map
The Grapevine Public Library became the first sensory-inclusive certified library in the state of Texas in 2019. Library leaders want to provide a positive experience for all guests, including those with sensory needs. The Grapevine Public Library offers sensory bags for anyone wishing to use one. The sensory bags include noise-canceling headphones, several fidget toys, a laminated VIP badge, and a communication card. They can also provide weighted blankets upon request. Click here to learn more.
Frontiers of Flight Museum Sensory-Friendly Day – Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023
6911 Lemmon Ave., Dallas, TX 75209| Map
Frontiers of Flight Museum is hosting a sensory-friendly day for those on the autism spectrum or those with sensory sensitivities. The museum is opening an hour earlier for families to explore the museum with less noise, crowds, and stimulation. Museum officials are limiting the number of people who can attend, are turning down sounds at the museum, and are providing sensory havens. The sensory-friendly day is free to attend. Registration is required. Click here to learn more.
Studio Movie Grill ‘Special Needs Screenings’
11170 N US 75-Central Expy 1000, Dallas, TX 75243 | Map
Studio Movie Grill is offering select “special needs screenings.” During these screenings, the theater will show the movie with the lights up and the volume low. Moving around and talking in the aisles is welcome during these screenings. Tickets are free for all attendees and are available at the box office only. The next few special needs screenings are “Quantumania” on March 4 at noon and “Dungeons & Dragons” on April 15 at noon. Click here to learn more.
Sensory-friendly Dino Experience – Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023
420 Century Pkwy, Allen, TX, 75013| Map
This dino experience will feature interactive dinosaur-themed stations at The Dinosaur Company’s event space in Allen. There will be a limited number of tickets sold to this event to prevent overcrowding. The experience is on Saturday, January 21 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Click here to learn more.
Chuck E. Cheese Sensory Sensitive Sundays
13364 Montfort Drive, Dallas, TX, 75240| Map
7110 South Westmoreland Road, Dallas, TX, 75237 | Map
4992 State Highway 190, Garland, TX, 75044| Map
3903 West Airport Fwy, Irving, TX 75062| Map
Chuck E. Cheese is supporting families who have children with autism or other special needs at its Sensory Sensitive Sundays. Chuck E. Cheese opens two hours early on the first Sunday of every month, specifically for children with sensory-processing issues. There will be reduced lighting and noise during this time. Click here to learn more.