10 Sensory-Friendly Programs and Places in Atlanta

Atlanta Dance Central / Chris Coates Photography

All kids just want to have fun! Finding places to play can be a challenge for families of kids with special needs, including those with sensory sensitivities. These spots offer great programs every kid can enjoy, no matter their abilities.

Atlanta Dance Central

ADC’s Physio Jazz programs, designed for kids 8 and older, with disabilities, helps develop muscle tone, balance and coordination. It’s also a place where kids can feel included, make friends, and develop social skills. Atlanta Dance Central also offers year-long and summer workshops and classes in tap, ballet, hip hop and more.

Center for Puppetry Arts

The Center for Puppetry Arts offers sensory-friendly experiences for guests with autism spectrum disorder. Staff members are specially trained to interact with patrons, and during the show, sounds are low, children can talk and leave their seats, and they have a quiet zone in the lobby they can go to. Fidget toys, social stories, sound-reducing headphones and sunglasses are also available.

The Children’s Museum of Atlanta

These sensory modified experiences on Sunday mornings include limited admission, along with sound and lighting adjustments. A social story will also prepare families for the experience.

Chuck E. Cheese

This popular play place holds Sensory Sensitive Sundays for children with autism and special sensory needs. These special days will include a quieter environment, dimmed lighting, music turned down, no admission fees and more.

Georgia Aquarium

Georgia Aquarium has become the first aquarium to be designated a Certified Autism Center. The Aquarium Guest Experience, Training, and Education teams have been trained to work with guests on the spectrum. Families can also expect expedited entrances, sensory bags with headsets, sunglasses, fidget devices and communication cards, and designated quiet zones.

Neverland Adaptive Aquatics

Neverland offers private, semi-private and small group swim lessons for children and adults with disabilities, plus adaptive swim teams and fitness programs. Swimmers are individually evaluated to find the class that best suits their needs and goals.

The Southern Museum

Held the last Tuesday of every month, Sensory Friendly Afternoons include modified sound effects and volume adjustments, and a quiet room. A Quiet Room is also available.

Tellus Science Museum

Quiet Mornings at Tellus are exclusive events for individuals with different sensory processing skills. these mornings include less crowded environments, reduced wait times, less extreme light and sounds, designated Quiet Spaces, additional signage, name tags for children and a free planetarium experience. You can also download social story guides.

We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym

We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym

This gym is designed especially for kids with autism and sensory processing disorders, but all abilities are welcome. Tunnels, trampolines, a crash pit with weighted blankets, sensory toys, calming hammock swings and more are available for walk-in play, as well as weekly social skills classes and special events.

Zoo Atlanta

Zoo Atlanta is a certified sensory inclusive destination. They offer sensory bags with badges, fidget tools, headphones and more, weighted lap pads, quiet areas and headphone zones. You can also download a social story to help you through the attraction.

More Adaptive Sports and Classes

Learning a sport or playing in a gym can benefit kids with autism or sensory processing disorders. These spots offer classes that help develop physical coordination, confidence and social skills.

ACEing Autism Tennis Clinics, aceingautism.org
AMC Theatres, amctheatres.com
North Metro Martial Arts, northmetromartialarts.com
Chastain Horse Park, chastainhorsepark.org
Lekotek of Georgia, lekotekga.org
Music Together of Decatur, musictogetherofdecatur.com
Urban Air Adventure Park, urbanair.com
iFly Indoor Skydiving, iflyworld.com
Studio Movie Grill, studiomoviegrill.com