Scroll down to read about special needs & sensory-friendly programs and events for families & children in the Philadelphia, South Jersey & Delaware areas. Or, click on an event in the list below for more information.
– Autism Awareness events & Special Needs days
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– Sensory Friendly Film Screenings, various locations |
– KidZooU at the Philadelphia Zoo |
– Philadelphia YMCA programs |
– Huddle Up for Autism with the Philadelphia Eagles |
– Sahara Sam's Oasis Water Park, West Berlin, NJ |
– Garden State Discovery Museum, Cherry Hill, NJ |
– Delaware Children's Museum, Wilmington, DE |
Variety programs
These programs are hosted by Variety – The Children's Charity, an organization that provides special needs families with resources as well as recreational & educational activities:
Autism Awareness Nights |
Variety Day |
| When: April 6 Where: Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia |
When: April 20 Where: Sesame Place in Langhorne, PA |
| When: April 27 Where: Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ |
What: For families with kids with physical and/or developmental disabilities. |
| What: For families with kids on the autism spectrum. |
Special features: Accommodations are made to ensure sensory comfort as kids explore exhibits and attractions, and parents can collect information from various special needs-related organizations.
Details: To attend, families must register through Variety to verify their children’s disabilities; the registration fee for each event is donated to Variety.
Sensory Friendly Films
When: April 6, June 1 & 29 (Recurring almost every month)
Where: AMC Theatres in Allentown, Bensalem, Philadelphia, Springfield and West Chester, PA, and Cherry Hill and Hamilton, NJ.
Special features: The lights are turned up, the sound is turned down and guests may walk around, dance or sing during the film.
Details: Check with your local theater for movie schedules.
KidZooU at the Philadelphia Zoo
When: Opens April 13 (Ongoing programming)
What: Permanent indoor/outdoor children’s zoo where visitors get hands-on with animal care.
Special features: Braille, sign language and a picture-exchange communication system for kids with autism.
Who: The Philadelphia Zoo worked with the Center for Autism Research at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Overbrook School for the Blind.
Details: Exploration included with regular admission.
Huddle Up for Autism
When: April 14
Where: Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia
What: Meet-&-greets with Eagles’ players, games, arts & crafts and field & locker room tours.
Special features: Child specialists, quiet rooms and gluten-free concessions stands available. To prevent overwhelming guests, the event is limited to 5,000 attendees.
Who: Collaboration between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Center for Autism Research at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Details: Event is free, but advance registration is required, and spots fill up quickly!
Special Evening for Special Needs
When: May 10 (Recurring a few times per year)
Where: Sahara Sam’s Oasis in West Berlin, NJ
Special features: Access to most water attractions with a quiet room for resting. Lights & audio throughout the park are turned down to accommodate guests with sensory issues.
Details: Tickets are offered at a discounted price. Visit the website for more information.
Open Arms: Family Evening
When: May 26, Aug. 4 & Nov. 10
(Recurring a few times per year)
Where: Garden State Discovery Museum in Cherry Hill, NJ
What: Open play for families with kids on the autism spectrum.
Special features: Event is afterhours to ensure a calm environment, and audio is turned down. Kids can rest in a quiet room, and a sensory area includes activities like drawing with shaving cream.
Details: Admission is free.
Sensory-focused activities
When: Ongoing programming.
Where: Delaware Children’s Museum in Wilmington, DE
What: Activities vary; Kids can squeeze noodles in vegetable oil, dig for mystery items buried in dry rice or beans or play with goop made from cornstarch and water.
Special features: Sensory-focused activities in the art studio, a quieter, confined area of the museum.
Details: Check website for current programming.
