Top Sensory-Friendly Events and Programs
Center for Puppetry Arts
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 special events, performances and programs every kid can enjoy by encouraging movement, offering quiet spaces and lessoning distractions.
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Events and Performances
Center for Puppetry Arts
Sensory Friendly Sundays: Guests with sensory sensitivities and other developmental differences can enjoy puppet performances in a fun, comfortable and welcoming environment with their Puppets for All! programming. Atlanta. Upcoming performances: Stellaluna, May 5, 1 and 3 p.m.
The Southern Museum
Sensory Friendly Afternoons: A sensory friendly environment allows children to explore the “General” locomotive, see the Civil War collection, enjoy hands-on and interactive exhibits in the Jolley Education Center and more. Held the last Tuesday of each month from 2-5 p.m. Kennesaw.
Tellus Science Museum
Tellus Science Museum
Sensory Friendly Mornings: On select days, Tellus offers designated quiet spaces, sound reduction and specialized equipment like lap pads, sunglasses, wheelchairs and noise reduction earmuffs. Additional signage is placed throughout the museum; the planetarium is also open and plays a video of space images and soft music. (The planetarium is temporarily closed through May 17.) Cartersville. Upcoming dates: April 27 and 28, 9-10 a.m.
Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Sensory Friendly Playtime: Children can explore and enjoy the museum on select Sunday mornings with a sensory modified setting, social story, limited admission and sound and lighting adjustments. Advance ticket purchase required. Atlanta. Upcoming dates: April 28 and June 2, 9-11 a.m.
High Museum of Art
High Museum of Art
Sensory Friendly Mornings: This free program offers a modified experience for sensory sensitive or neurodiverse visitors and their families, with a special Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performance, multisensory activities, art making and stories. Advance registration required. Check the website for upcoming dates. Atlanta.
Booth Western Art Museum
Sensory Friendly Morning: This free event includes visual schedules, a sensory friendly map and downloadable social stories. Sensory bags are available to check out and a family quiet space is available. The museum offers noise-cancelling headphones and other materials during art-making programs. Upcoming date: May 18, 8-10 a.m.
Sloomoo Institute
Sensory Friendly Hour: On the third Thursday of each month, Sloomoo offers a quieter experience with fewer crowds. Headsets and swimmer-style nose plugs are available during Sensory Friendly Hour and during regular Sloomoo hours. Atlanta. Upcoming dates: May 16, 11 a.m.-noon.
Six Flags over Georgia
Low Sensory Sundays: In recognition of World Autism Month, each Sunday in April the park will offer a two-hour period with reduced sound and additional quiet break areas. A Certified Autism Center, the park has low sensory areas, sensory guides and specially trained staff during regular hours. Austell. April 28, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Chuck E. Cheese
Sensory Friendly Sundays: The first Sunday of the month, this popular venue opens early, with a quieter environment, dimmed lighting, low music, no admission fees and more. Find a participating location online.
Georgia Symphony Orchestra
Georgia Symphony Orchestra
Sensory Friendly Concerts: Held at Marietta Performing Arts Center, visitors are free to move around during the concert. Limited seating and special musical selections allow audience members to enjoy classical music. A quiet room is available; prior to the show, visitors can try various instruments. Marietta. Upcoming performance: April 27, 2-3 p.m.
The Georgia Ballet
The Georgia Ballet
Sensory Friendly Shows: Select shows offer open seating with reduced capacity, house lighting at half, lowered sound, lowered stage lighting and no strobe or sudden effects on the stage. Jennie T. Anderson Theatre, Marietta. Check the website for upcoming performances.
Wills Park Pool
Adaptive Swim Nights: On select dates, this community pools offers a free swim night for community members with physical or cognitive disabilities and their families. Upcoming dates: June 16 and July 14, 6-8 p.m.
Studio Movie Grill
Special Needs Screenings: On select days at 11 a.m., see a movie for free, with the lights up and volume low. Moviegoers are free to move and talk during the show. Marietta, Alpharetta and Duluth. Check the website for dates and shows.
AMC Theatres
Sensory Friendly Films: On the second and fourth Saturday of every month, enjoy family friendly movies with the lights up and the sound down. Participating Atlanta theaters: AMC Parkway Pointe, Atlanta, and AMC Colonial 18, Lawrenceville. Check the website for dates and shows.
Sensory-Friendly Museums and Attractions
These museums and attractions offer sensory-friendly experiences during regular hours, with items such sensory bags, communication cards, social story guides, fidget devices and more. Check websites for detailed information, ticketing and hours.
Georgia Aquarium
A Certified Autism Center, aquarium staff are 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. Atlanta.
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. Atlanta.
Sensory Friendly Classes and Programs
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.
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. Roswell.
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. Classes are held at the Cumming, Roswell and Cherokee County Aquatic Centers.
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. Roswell.
More Adaptive Sports and Classes:
Marcus Jewish Community Center, atlantajcc.org
ACEing Autism Tennis Clinics, aceingautism.org
North Metro Martial Arts, northmetromartialarts.com
Chastain Horse Park, chastainhorsepark.org
Lekotek of Georgia, lekotekga.org
Urban Air Adventure Park, urbanair.com
iFly Indoor Skydiving, iflyworld.com
