Not long now till kids will be on spring break, which means it's time to start planning some fun activities to pass the time. You want your children to have fun but also learn something at the same time. But for autistic children, going to events can be stressful — a sensory nightmare.
That being said, there are tons of great events and year-round activities all over the country that are sensory-friendly, from autism-sensitivity experts being on staff at all times to good old-fashioned arts and crafts that stimulate a child’s senses in a comfortable and safe way.
From Easter egg hunting to learning about art history, here are a handful of suggestions from around the country for some great autism-friendly events.
POAC Easter Egg Hunt
Hosted by POAC Autism Services and the Allaire Community Farm in New Jersey, the POAC Autism Easter Egg Hunt on the Farm is open to autistic children and allistics (people not on the autism spectrum) alike. When signing up, you let the team know how many autistic children will be attending so they can make sure their needs are taken care of. The annual event is, as the event title suggests, an epic Easter egg hunt with tons of other springtime activities, including horseback riding, a carousel, hay rides, arts and crafts, and a grand lunch. Over 600 Easter eggs are hidden for kids to find. On top of a fun-filled day in the (hopefully) magnificent sunshine, the event raises money for the POAC for autism safety training and first responders.
Legoland
As of March 2023, all three US Legoland Resorts are Certified Autism Centers: Legoland Florida, Legoland California, and most recently Legoland New York. Theme parks can be incredibly triggering for autistic kids. From loud screaming to bustling crowds, it can be a sensory nightmare. But that doesn't mean autistic kids shouldn't be able to ride their favorite rides and see the epic exhibitions, should it? Having partnered with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, Legoland ensures at least 80% of its staff are trained in autism sensitivity and awareness.
As part of the certification, each park provides a detailed sensory guide, making it easier for autistic folk to navigate and choose their next in-park experiences. You can find Legoland New York's sensory guide here, which includes a grid of sensory levels — for example, the Duplo Express is rated 1 on the touch scale, 4 on sound, and 0 on taste. The higher the number, the higher the sensory experience. For some sensory-seeking autistic people, the higher the better. But for the sensory-avoidant, the lower the better. For example, sensory-avoidant kids would be best suited to the Stepping Tones as opposed to The Dragon.
The Discovery Squad
For kids who prefer to stay inside on an overwhelmingly hot day, there are tons of museums across the country that offer autism-friendly hours. The American Museum of Natural History in New York City has a variety of accessible tours, including The Discovery Squad, a 40-minute guided tour of the museum specifically for autistic kids. As a collab between AMNH and the Seaver Autism Center, the tour takes place early on select Saturdays, before the museum opens to all. This greatly decreases the risk of sensory overload, as it helps avoid crowds, loud noises, and certain exhibitions being too busy to visit.
Kids will be able to explore the North Americas via exciting dioramas of native animals and plant life, as well as explore the fossil halls, filled with everything dinosaur related. Get ready to dive into the ocean exhibit as well, with aquatic dioramas teaching everything about ocean life. Register in advance to get your place early, and so staff members can cater the tour to your child’s needs.
Camp Imagination’s Autism-Affirming Summer Camp
Hosted by the Glazer Children's Museum in Tampa, Florida, the Autism-Affirming Summer Camp, as part of Camp Imagination, is an event specially curated for kids ages 5 to 10 years old. The camp offers about three weeks of activities and learning, alongside autism experts who specialize in behavior and speech, sensory awareness, and more.
Each week is filled with autism-affirming activities such as sculpting, coding, art history, robotics, science, and crafting, on top of regular breaks and snacks and a free T-shirt. Each activity is a sensory delight, with a focus on learning, social interaction, and creating some beautiful art your kids can keep forever. Not only is the camp sensory-friendly, it gives autistic kids a chance to learn about arts, crafts, and STEM without the pressure and stressors of the school environment.
