GLAMoms has rounded up some area locations offering sensory friendly activities around the Greater Lansing area and beyond!
Sensory-aware play areas for children are specially designed environments that cater to the diverse sensory needs of young individuals, particularly those with sensory processing disorders. These play areas incorporate a variety of textures, sounds, lights, and interactive elements to stimulate or soothe the senses, encouraging exploration and engagement. By providing a multi-sensory experience, these play areas help children develop critical skills such as motor coordination, social interaction, and cognitive abilities, all while ensuring a safe and inclusive space for every child’s unique sensory needs.
Along with sensory friendly activities, GLAMoms also found many sensory-aware resources in both Michigan and nationwide. If you know of more, please send sensory friendly activities and other sensory-aware events, experiences and opportunities to [email protected] and we will add it to this ever growing resource.
Abrams Planetarium On the third Sunday of every month at 11:30am-1pm. Sensory-friendly shows are offered.
Impression 5 Science Center On the third Wednesday of the month (through December 2024) and various Sundays until the end of 2024. Offers sensory friendly activities with dedicated times with select exhibits altered to reduce sounds, scents, and lighting stimuli, with limited building capacity and pop-up activity. Also available daily are sensory friendly resources and other sensory friendly activities. Visit Impression 5 for more information.
Potter Park Zoo FALCONERS (Families of Alternative Learners Connecting Empathy, Responsibility and Stewardship) is a program which gives children with autism and their entire families opportunities to have engaging and meaningful experiences in a safe, welcoming and inclusive setting at Potter Park Zoo (PPZ). And new to the zoo – @ableeyes Accessible Virtual Tour, now offering a full walkthrough of the entire zoo! Whether you’re planning your visit or exploring from home, this immersive experience ensures everyone can enjoy the wonders of the zoo.
High Caliber Karting and Entertainment On the first Sunday of every month from 11am-2pm. Sensory Friendly Hours. The facility will open early and during these special hours, we have tailored our environment to be more inclusive and welcoming for individuals with sensory sensitivities.
Launch V.I.P. Time On the second Monday of every month from 6-8pm. Launch Trampoline Park of Lansing holds a sensory friendly jump time.
Celebration Cinema Sensory Showtimes make movies extra welcoming to guests with special needs, including autism. View upcoming showtimes here
NCG Cinemas – Eastwood, Lights Up • Sound Down • Talk • Sing • Dance – View upcoming showtimes here
Wharton Center Wharton Center, in collaboration with a variety of MSU and community partners, provides a supportive and welcoming environment that will make live theatre accessible to those with sensory sensitivities and their families. Also available at Wharton Center is the Able Eyes Digital Tour – Able Eyes utilizes a visual, user-friendly platform to teach skills and explore environments in a “know before you go” format.
Bath Township Public Library On the first Monday of the month from 6-7pm. Bath Township Public Library hosts a sensory-friendly hour. On the third Monday, monthly from 6-7pm. Bath Township Public Library hosts a Sensory Friendly Storytime with Mrs. Brown, Principal of Bath Elementary School
Michigan State Capitol Sensory friendly kits, colorblind glasses, and hands-on 3D models of the Capitol are available for use at the Heritage Hall information desk. Also, as a result of a partnership between the Michigan State Capitol Commission and Choose Lansing, AbleVu is now available to provide a virtual tour of the Capitol’s accessible accommodations. Visit AbleVu to take the tour!
Capital City Market On the second Saturday of the month from 8:30am-10am CCM offers sensory friendly shopping more information here. Also available at Capital City Market is the Able Eyes Virtual Tour allowing accessibility for people of all abilities by offering virtual walk-through tours, making them “Able Eyes Accessible.” The mission of Able Eyes is to provide visual, state of the art experiences/teaching tools to children and adults with disabilities. Visit the Capital City Market home screen and scroll to the Able Eyes Virtual Tour here.
Sensory-friendly shopping times are available at Capital City Market, Lansing
Culvers Sensory Friendly mornings On the first Saturday of the month from 10am-11:30am. Join Culver’s Eastwood for Sensory Friendly Mornings Culver’s staff has received Autism awareness training by the Mid-Michigan Autism Association.
Comerica Park Kulture Center sensory rooms at Comerica Park and Little Caesars Arena are open and available for guests. Sensory tools and equipment is available and guests can create a personalized space for a calming experience while at each location.
The Henry Ford The Henry Ford has worked with the Autism Alliance of Michigan to create pre-visit planning tools to help prepare guests on the autism spectrum for a visit. View the social narrative for Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village and Ford Rouge Factory Tour. Also, Sensory-friendly maps provide information on areas with loud sounds, smells, mobility considerations, quiet, and more. A sensory-friendly map is available for Greenfield Village, Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and Ford Rouge Factory Tour.
Other sensory friendly actives, programs and resources:
C.H.U.M. Therapeutic Riding (Children and Horses United in Movement), Dansville – C.H.U.M. Therapeutic Riding Inc. offers the opportunity to share the world of horses with individuals with and without disabilities of all ages. Also found on Facebook facebook.com/ChumTherapeuticRiding
Be Like Buddy A growing database of sensory-friendly activities across the U.S. Developed by a family of different learners, they offer nationwide ideas, resources and activities in Greater Lansing are many places throughout the US.
Choose Lansing A local, comprehensive list of sensory inclusive activities, sensory-trained staff, businesses, and virtual tours in and around the Greater Lansing area.
Michigan Family to Family Health Information Center (MI F2F) A statewide resource that serves the families of children with special health care needs throughout the state. Learn more about MI F2F here.
Pure Michigan shares sensory friendly learning for kids here.
TravelAbility is a worldwide resource with a mission to make travel more accessible and enjoyable for everyone. This website offers both Consumer Resources and Travel Industry Resources.
