More opportunities are popping up around the Triangle for children with special needs to experience popular attractions in a calmer, quieter environment. Several museums and recreation centers hold regularly scheduled before-hours or after-hours sensory-friendly or adaptive play times during which children with special needs and their families can enjoy time together, away from the crowds.
Some attractions offer support for people with sensory sensitivities every day.
In addition, some movie theaters are offering “lights up, sound down” screenings that are more comfortable for children with sensory sensitivities.
Some of the events are meant for adults with special needs.
This isn’t an exhaustive list, and we’d like to add more. Do you know of other opportunities that should be added to this list? Please email us at info@triangleonthecheap.com with a link to the event, and we will work toward getting it on the list.
And, please scroll down to a see a day-by-day of free and inexpensive sensory-friendly events on our calendar.
Marbles Kids Museum
Marbles Kids Museum holds a Sensory Friendly Playtime and Movie once a month. This is a FREE after-hours event exclusively for kids with disabilities and their families. It’s a chance to experience the museum in a calmer, quieter environment and to watch a “lights up,. sound down” movie.
Marbles Kids Museum, 201 Hargett Street, Raleigh
Kidzu Children’s Museum
Kidzu Children’s Museum offers a FREE Sensory Friendly Night on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. These are sensory friendly play dates designed for families and children with sensory sensitivities or special needs to enjoy private time in Kidzu’s hands-on exhibit spaces to explore and acclimate without the extra stimulation of the museum’s busy open hours.
Kidzu Children’s Museum, 201 S Estes Drive, Chapel Hill
The Carolina Theatre of Durham
The Carolina Theatre of Durham is presenting a free sensory-friendly screening one Saturday a month. Lights will be up a little and sound will be down. Audience members are encouraged to get out of their seats and move around. Families can bring snacks from home (concessions will be available as well.) Read more about The Carolina Theatre of Durham’s Sensory-Friendly Film Series.
The Carolina Theatre of Durham, 309 West Morgan Street, Durham.
Museum of Life + Science
The Museum of Life + Science strives to be accessible to everyone. Please read about the Museum’s accessibility resources.
Museum of Life + Science, 433 W Murray Avenue, Durham
Sertoma Arts Center
Please note that this event is on hold right now. We will update when we hear that it has started back up.
Sertoma Arts Center, 1400 Millbrook Road, Raleigh
Durham Bulls
The Durham Bulls Athletic Park has taken steps to become more inclusive to people with sensory issues. The Durham Bulls partnered with KultureCity to achieve certification as sensory inclusive. Part of the certification process was training of the DBAP staff by medical professionals on how to recognize fans with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation.
The ballpark has a number of Sensory Bags available. The bags include noise reducing headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards and a weighted lap pad. The bags can be checked out at the Lowes Foods Guest Services.
The ballpark has a number of “Quiet Areas,” which are posted, and a new exit/re-entry policy to the stadium for fans who need quiet.
Durham Bulls Athletic Park, 409 Blackwell Street, Durham
Raleigh Little Theatre
Raleigh Little Theatre started offering sensory-friendly performances in 2018.
The sensory-friendly performances include:
- Reduction of loud or jarring sounds
- Reductions in flashing or strobe lights
- Modification of the house lights
- House rules that allow audience members to move around and talk during the show
- Extra staff and volunteer support
- Designated “Take a Break Space”
Raleigh Little Theatre, 301 Pogue Street, Raleigh
AMC Sensory Friendly Films
AMC is partnering with the Autism Society to offer movie showings where the lights are up and the sound is down. At the Sensory Friendly Film events, it’s ok to get up, walk around, talk, shout, sing or dance. The program offers family-friendly films the second and fourth Saturday of the month, and films for mature audiences Wednesday evenings. Visit the AMC Sensory Friendly Films website to find the upcoming schedule and to buy tickets.
Upcoming Sensory-Friendly and Adaptive Events
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Sensory-Friendly Night at Kidzu Children's Museum
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Kidzu Children’s Museum, Chapel Hill
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Sensory-Friendly Night at Kidzu Children's Museum
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Kidzu Children’s Museum, Chapel Hill
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Sensory-Friendly Night at Kidzu Children's Museum
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Kidzu Children’s Museum, Chapel Hill
