Fun Autism-Friendly Activities Around NYC

Many NYPL locations in the Manhattan, Bronx, and Staten Island offer a Sensory Storytime for children with autism spectrum disorders or other sensory challenges. Limited to 12 children (pre-registration is generally required), Sensory Storytime uses movement, music, sensory materials and visual support tools to engage children in storytime. View the calendar via the link above to find the closest library to you.

Inclusive Services at several barrier-free Brooklyn Public Library branches offer programming that is appropriate for children and teens with and without disabilities. Offerings include story times, play times, crafts, lego club, and garden clubs. Cube chairs, mats, positioning cushions, and adaptive toys are available at these branches. The library website also includes a social story on going to the library and watching a movie.

Extreme Kids & Crew are community spaces entirely devoted to serving children with disabilities and their friends and families. The two locations offer a wealth of activities for children with disabilities, including open play in the sensory gym, music and movement classes, teen groups, and after-school programs. While children play and form friendships, parents can socialize and connect with other families.

This massive indoor play space is designed with all ages and abilities in mind, and 2-hour open play sessions can be reserved in advance. A variety of classes and services are offered, including gymnastics, karate, early childhood enrichment and support for kids with unique needs.

Music for Autism holds free, autism-friendly, interactive concerts developed specifically for individuals with autism and their families. Concerts are held at various locations in NYC, feature professional musicians and have open space for the audience to move around.

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum offers monthly, two-hour programs for children with learning and developmental disabilities, each with a different topic. Children and teens enjoy a tour of the museum and participate in art activities. If helpful for your child, you can view the museum's narratives and guides to prepare for your visit. Registration is required.

The New York Transit Museum has a variety of programs to make the museum more accessible for children and teens with disabilities. Subway Sleuths is an after school program for children on the autism spectrum to build social skills through a shared interest in trains. On Special Days for Special Kids, the museum opens an hour early for children with disabilities and their families. Teens 13-17 with developmental or learning disabilities and an adult can attend "Studio Underground"; an afternoon of art and exploration.

Karma Kids offers a dedicated yoga class for children with special needs. Children practice breathing exercises, yoga poses, play games, and end the class with relaxation time and foot rubs. Classes are limited to 8 children.

The New Victory Theater is a performing arts nonprofit presenting productions solely for kids and families, including theater, dance, circus, opera and music. The theater frequently offers autism-friendly showings of their performances. During these performances, the sound is lowered, lights are dimmed (not fully dark), patrons may come and go as necessary and utilize activity areas and calming corners for breaks, autism specialists are available for assistance throughout the performance, and a family restroom will be designated. There's even a social story about visiting the "New Vic".

The Theater Development Fund presents autism-friendly performances on Broadway. Past performances have included The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Wicked, and Phantom of the Opera. During the shows, sounds are reduced and autism specialists are staffed in quiet areas and activity areas in the lobby. The TDF also provides social narratives on traveling to and enjoying the performance, loud noises, needing a break, and more.

GallopNYC offers therapeutic horsemanship and horseback riding lessons to children with developmental, emotional, social, and physical disabilities. Lessons are taught by a PATH International certified therapeutic riding instructor with up to three riders.

The Met strives to make art accessible to all, including kids and adults with learning and developmental disabilities and those on the autism spectrum. The Discoveries workshops provide tactile opportunities and art-making activities, while Sights & Sounds at The Met Cloisters uses music to engage kids while exploring museum offerings. Resources for visitors on the autism spectrum, including social narratives and maps are also offered. Reservations are required.

AMC has partnered with the Autism Society to offer select showings of films in a sensory-sensitive environment. During these movie showings, the sound is turned down, the lights are turned up, and children are free to move around as they desire.

Dancing Dreams offers dance classes to children and teens with medical or physical challenges that are not able to participate in traditional dance classes. Classes are taught by pediatric physical therapists experienced in adapting classes to each child's needs. Each dancer is assisted by a "helper" at classes and during an annual performance.