Things to Do for Children with Special Needs

New Jersey and the surrounding areas offer a wide range of fun inclusive activities for children and individuals with Autism, special needs, and different abilities. It’s not always easy to find places that are accommodating for everyone, especially when considering factors like noise and lighting. Many attractions welcome special needs visits, so be sure to ask. Here are some judgment free options to explore.

1. Go to a Sensory or Autism Friendly Performance

Buy your tickets in advance. Upcoming 2025 sensory friendly shows include:

• Michael & The Rockness Monsters - Sat, Apr 5th, 12pm @ State Theatre NJ (stnj.org)
• Gazillion Bubble Show Sensory Performance - Sat, Apr 26th, 4:30pm @ New World Stages, NYC (gazillionbubbleshow.com)
• Jeff Boyer’s Big Bubble Bonanza 2025 - Sun, Apr 27th, 2pm @ UCPAC (ucpac.org)
• Milk & Cookies: Julie Pasqual - Sat, May 3rd, 12pm @ State Theatre NJ (stnj.org)
• Pete the Cat - Sun, May 4th, 4:30pm @ Mayo PAC (mayoarts.org)
• & Juliet - Sun, May 4th, 1pm @ Stephen Sondheim Theatre in NYC (tdf.org)
• Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical - Tues, May 13th, 4pm @ Mayo PAC (mayoarts.org)
• Ballo della Regina, Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux, and Scotch Symphony - Sun, May 18th, 11am, for audience ages 5+ @ New York City Ballet (nycballet.com)
• Disney’s The Little Mermaid - Sat, June 21st, 1:30pm @ Papermill Playhouse (papermill.org)
• Hamilton - Sun, June 29th, 1pm @ Richard Rodgers Theatre in NYC (tdf.org)

2. Planetarium Fun

The Raritan Valley College Planetarium features “The Sky Above”, a sensory-friendly show about planets, moon, and constellations synced to music and laser lights. Doors are open, lights are dimmed, and audio is lowered. Saturday April 5 and May 3, 2025 at 5PM. Branchburg, NJ.

3. Explore Aquatic Life

Adventure Aquarium in partnership with KultureCity offers marine life accessible viewing areas, sensory bags, weighted lap pad, headphone zones, and designated quiet areas. Take your time to enjoy sea life, fish, and more! Sensory Sundays take place on the third Sunday of every month from 9:30am-10:30am. Upcoming dates: Apr 20, May 18, June 15, July 20, Aug 17, Sept 21, Oct 19, Nov 16, Dec 21. During F.I.S.H. (Family Inclusive Sensory Hours) events, the music is low and crowds are reduced. Upcoming F.I.S.H. Night dates: July 19, 5:30pm-7:30pm; Sept 26, 5pm-7pm. Buy tickets in advance. Camden, NJ,

Jenkinson’s Aquarium offers Sensory Saturdays for guests with autism, sensory processing, and other cognitive challenges to have fun and explore the aquarium before its open to the public, with less crowds, less noise and less stimulation. Upcoming dates: Apr 19 and May 31, 9am-10am. Point Pleasant Beach, NJ.

4. Spend a Day at the Zoo

The Bronx Zoo is home to an incredible 4,000 animals. It is certified sensory inclusive for visitors. Register for Sensory Sensitive Mornings: Children’s Zoo, explore and visit farm animals before the zoo opens to the public. The zoo’s Accessibility Map contains information on zoo exhibits and grounds. The Zoo has quiet zones and headphone zones to help visitors with sensory processing needs. Sensory bags available to guests. bronxzoo.com

Turtle Back Zoo is designated certified Sensory Inclusive by KultureCity. Explore animals and zoo attractions on your own schedule. Sensory bags, accessibility map, quiet zones and headphone zones help guests with special needs. turtlebackzoo.com

Other zoos to visit: Bergen County Zoo, Cape May County Zoo, Central Park Zoo

5. Visit a Museum

Museums are open and welcoming to the special needs community.

Intrepid Museum in NYC - visit and see ships, planes, space shuttle and more! The Intrepid offers access family programs on select mornings for children and afternoons for teens and adults. Participants can experience the Museum in a sensory-friendly environment. Upcoming special access programs on Apr 6, May 3, July 12, Aug 3.

The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia - enjoy hands on science exhibits and experiences. The museum Sensory Guide provides guidance and helpful tips on certain experiences that may have high levels of stimulation. Sensory backpacks are stocked with helpful tools like noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses, fidgets, and sensory guide alerts to help reduce sensory stimulation.

Liberty Science Center in Jersey City - learn about science and STEM with interactive activities. LSC’s comprehensive sensory map lets you plan your experience accordingly.

Museum of Natural History in New York City - Discovery Squad events are for children ages 5-12 with Autism and developmental disabilities. Held the third Saturday of each month. Includes tour of select halls before opening to the public, followed by free play in the Discovery Room. Free, advanced registration required. amnh.org, 212.769.5200

6. Get Creative with Art & Performing Arts

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC offers workshops for individuals with Autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Check website for access events and registration information. Upcoming FREE Discoveries art workshops for children: Apr 27, May 18. metmuseum.org or 212.650.2010

Museum of Modern Art Monthly Create Ability Program MoMA provides Create Ability and Access Programs for creative art experiences for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities. Upcoming Create Ability events (preregistration required): Big Painting Apr 6th, Woven Together May 4th, Nature Studies June 22nd. moma.org or 212.408.6447

Crayola Experience has dozens of hands-on creative art activities. They serve guests with special needs and is designed for everyone to enjoy. Upcoming Sensory Night on April 4, 2025 from 5pm-8pm. Visitors can enjoy all the attractions in a sensory friendly environment where lights are dimmed, music will be off, quiet rooms available, make your own tie dye flowers, and a special character appearance at 6pm. Easton, PA. crayolaexperience.com

New York City Ballet Autism Friendly Access Workshops are for children ages 4-12 with Autism and other sensory needs. NYC Ballet dance instructors will guide children in ballet movement warm up and choreography. No dance experience necessary. Buy tickets online. Upcoming dates: Sat, Apr 26th at 1pm and May 3rd at 1pm. nycballet.com

7. Experience a Theme Park

Storybook Land in Egg Harbor Township, NJ offers family friendly park rides and attractions for young children. The Assisted Access Pass is for guests who have difficulty waiting and can ride the next ride cycle. Sensory friendly designated quiet zones available.

Sesame Place in Langhorne, PA is the first theme park designated as a Certified Autism Center. Family friendly rides and attractions based on Sesame Street themes and characters. Extensive sensory guide of services, rides, shows, low sensory area, low sensory parade viewing, noise canceling headphones, quiet dining and more! Meet & take photo with Julia, a 4 year old muppet with Autism. Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, a wristband is provided for guests with non-visible disabilities who require a little extra time and patience.

Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson NJ is designated a Certified Autism Center. Experience family rides, thrill rides, and more! The Attraction Access Program is designed to accommodate guests with disabilities and matches the individual abilities to the ride criteria for each attraction. Individuals can apply for IBCCES Individual Accessibility Card for accommodations.

8. Go to the Movies

AMC Theaters in partnership with the Autism Society offer sensory friendly movies every month, scheduled on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays for family friendly films and on Wednesday evenings for mature films. The lights are up and the sound is down. Audience members can get up, dance, walk, or sing. Check your local NJ AMC theatre.

9. Ride Horses for Therapy

Therapeutic horseback riding are offered at Seaton Hackney Stables in Morristown NJ and Pony Power Therapies in Mahwah, NJ.

10. Go Play!

Monster Mini Golf lets you be among monsters as you glow in the dark. Play the arcade, laser tag, mini golf, games and prizes. Welcoming families in Edison, Paramus, and Fairfield. Each of our NJ locations will be running a Special Needs day on Thursday 4/10/25 from 2pm-9pm We are offering unlimited mini golf, $10 of arcade play, snacks, and sensory based take home crafts.

Imagine That!!! offers fun indoor play for pre-schoolers and young children. Family friendly exhibits and activities where kids can play, touch, and imagine. Located in Florham Park, NJ. Ask about their special needs events.

11. Discover the Outdoors, Nature & Parks

Nature trails are full of sensory activities. Check out local county parks and New Jersey state parks to enjoy nature.

The Sensory Garden at Laurelwood Arboretum in Wayne NJ is a barrier free garden where all visitors can enjoy nature. It has wide pathways, raised flower beds, and colorful blooms. laurelwoodarboretum.org

The Watchung Reservation Sensory Friendly Trail is located within the park’s Trailside Nature and Science Center in Union County. The walking path has a gazebo, talking stations, hands-on sensory play, raised floral beds, and more! It’s accessible to all visitors, including those with disabilities and special needs.

12. Participate in Sports

Special Olympics NJ offers many opportunities for kids and young athletes to get involved in a sports play program. Walking, running, jumping, throwing, kicking, striking and competition! Check website to find a local program near you.

Special Dragons Karate provides fun classes and programs for the special needs population. Taught by certified special education instructors. Sign up for a free trial. Locations in Bergenfield, Belleville, Jersey City, Paterson, Union. specialdragonskarate.org

13. Explore Universal Playgrounds

Also known as playgrounds for everyone, barrier free playgrounds, all access playgrounds, or sensory friendly playgrounds for those with Autism and special needs. Central Park of Morris County in Parsippany, Jake’s Place in Cherry Hill, Ridgewood Park in Newark, Challenger Place in Colts Neck, Votee Park in Teaneck, NJ.