Find activities and events for children with special needs and their parents and families. Many events provide sensory-friendly and inclusive activities for all abilities. Check out the following happenings and resources in the region.
PICK-A-DAY
MONDAYS
Sensory Sensitive Playtime at Little Diggers. A calmer, quieter play environment with reduced music and dimmed lighting. 1-5 p.m. 3020 Westgate Mall Drive, Fairview Park, littlediggersplayspace.com
TUESDAYS
Adapted Rock Climbing. Beginner-friendly rock climbing for children ages 7+. 5-7 p.m. 3377 Warrensville Center Road, Shaker Heights, cuyahogadd.org
THURSDAYS
Adaptive Theatre. An interactive theatre class full of games, movement-based storytelling, improvisation and role-playing.Through 11/19. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Fairmount Center for the Arts, 106 Water St., Chardon, fairmountcenter.org
SATURDAYS
Friendship Club. Judgment-free social opportunity where caregivers and children with autism connect. 2nd and 4th Saturdays. Ages 7-12. 10:30 a.m. Autism Society of Greater Akron, 2858 W. Market St., autismakron.org
Sensory-Friendly Saturdays at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Every 3rd Saturday, enjoy adapted events to meet diverse sensory-processing needs. 9-10 a.m. 11150 East Blvd., clevelandart.org
DAY-BY-DAY
September 24
Interactive Tech Expo. Learn how assistive technology and remote support can increase independence, quality of life, and provide access to the community. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Summit Mall, 3265 W. Market St., Fairlawn, simon.com/mall/summit-mall
September 26
P.A.L.S. Big Screen Sensory-Friendly Movie — The Princess Bride. Lower sound and brighter lights. Parma-Snow Branch Library, 2121 Snow Road, Parma, cuyahogalibrary.org
Step into Autism Walk, Fundraiser, & Resource Fair. Help to create a world where everyone in the Autism community is connected to the support they need. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Tam O’ Shanter Park, 5055 Hills and Dales Road NW, Canton, starkparks.com
October 3
All Abilities Fall Fest. An accessible celebration full of hayrides, a petting zoo, lawn games, pumpkin painting and more. 10 a.m. Crown Point Ecology Center, 3220 Ira Road, Akron, crownpointecology.org
October 7
Adapted Storytime. 10:30 a.m. Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road, westlakelibrary.org
October 8
Adaptive Fishing with Rec2Connect. Guests with disabilities will learn more about fishing. 5-7 p.m. Garfield Park Reservation, 11350 Broadway Ave., Garfield Heights, clevelandmetroparks.com
October 11
Sensory-Friendly Time: Children’s Museum of Cleveland. Enjoy a special program for children with special needs and exclusive access to the museum in a less crowded and lower-stimulation environment. 8-9 a.m. 3813 Euclid Ave., cmcleveland.org
October 17
Gen Zen Tween Hangout: October Session. Tweens of all abilities play games, tinker, make art and hang out. 3-4 p.m. Middleburg Heights Branch Library, 16699 Bagley Road, cuyahogalibrary.org
October 20
All Abilities Playdate. Intervention specialists will provide tips on behavior, social skills and development for children ages 1-6. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Maple Heights Branch Library, 5225 Library Lane, cuyahogalibrary.org
October 24
Zoothing Boo at the Zoo. An early opening designed for individuals who are sensitive to crowds and loud noises to enjoy trick-or-treating and fall fest activities. 10 a.m. Akron Zoo, 505 Euclid Ave., Akron, akronzoo.org
October 25
Halloween Spooktacular. Enjoy a sensory-friendly version of the concert and some pre-concert activities beforehand. 1 p.m. Severance Music Center, 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, clevelandorchestra.com
Sensory-Friendly Night: Pumpkins & Piranhas. Enjoy full, sensory-friendly aquarium access, costumed scuba divers and more. 5:30-8 p.m. Greater Cleveland Aquarium, 2000 Sycamore St., greaterclevelandaquarium.com
Want your event or resource added to this list? Email [email protected]
