Fun Autism-Friendly Activities Around Philadelphia

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  Sensory Bounce at Bounce U is for children with autism, sensory processing disorder (SPD) and disabilities with a sensory component. The music is turned off and children can bounce, play and interact with others in a supportive environment.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  The Brandywine River Museum of Art is hosting Sensory-Friendly Saturday with the theme of nature and art. It is designed for individuals on the autism spectrum and those with sensory disorders and provides indoor and outdoor activities, hands-on art crafts, social stories and sensory break areas. Volunteers and occupational therapists will be there to assist the participants and noise-cancelling headphones and fidgets will be available. This program is created to provide a welcoming and memorable experience for all families. Registration is requested as space is limited.

Age: All Ages

Cost: Free

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  The Brandywine River Museum of Art creates a pleasant and memorable experience for individuals on the Autism spectrum and those with sensory processing disorders by offering PECO sensory-friendly museum packs. Available during all operating hours, these packs offer social stories, fidgets, noise-cancelling headphones, and activity suggestions to create a welcoming atmosphere for the guests.

Shila:  AMC partners with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where the lights are turned up, and the sound down is turned down, so your family can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing!

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  Sky Zone offers family-friendly sensory sessions with quieter, low-key jumping for those with special needs. Your child will be able to meet other kids, play together and improve social and physical skills in a fun and welcoming atmosphere.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  Yoga is a wonderful physical and mindful activity for a special needs child. All Kids Yoga offers one on one sessions that help develop the body, speech, and mind of a child with developmental disabilities. The instructors will also teach parents the right techniques to do yoga with their child at home so you can connect on a deeper level and get the same benefits at home without the cost.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  iFLY features All Abilities Nights for those with special needs. This custom-designed program is for kids with cognitive and physical challenges. The participants will feel welcome in the environment with plenty of support. This is the ideal opportunity for the person who wants to go out of their comfort zone, and fly.

Participants receive a pre-flight training session and all flight gear. They will also be assisted by specially trained flight instructors during the session based on needs. Each person will take two flights.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  Sebastian Riding Associates offers equine therapy for both children and adults with special needs. Their talented instructors are experienced in working with those with mental, intellectual and physical disabilities in a supportive and nurturing environment. They use special equipment for their students, specically-trained horses, and maintain high safety procedures. The offer therapy programs year-round such as therapeutic riding, therapeutic driving and others, along with Summer camp.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  The Elmwood Park Zoo is a Certified Autism Center with highly-trained staff in serving individuals with autism and their families. The Zoo offers noise-dampening headphones to borrow and quiet spaces to rest throughout. They also feature special needs educational programs on select days. While walking through the Zoo, guests can see special signage that indicates sensory evaluations of some zoo attractions.

Shila:  Chuck E. Cheese's Sensory Sensitive Sundays is for families who have children with autism and special needs. The first Sunday of each month is reserved for a sensory-friendly experience. Chuck E. Cheese will open 2 hours early so guests will experience less crowding and noise, dimmed lighting, show and music turned down (or off), and limited appearances by Chuck E.

Games and food are offered; but on this day parents are also permitted to bring snacks for their children. Be sure to see site to confirm hours, and to verify your local Chuck E Cheese is a participating location.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  Action Karate takes a unique approach for special needs children. Their expert instructors evaluate each special needs student and their family one-on-one on a case by case basis. They start with private lessons enabling parents to observe or interact in the karate lesson. They will then determine the best approach for your child to continue privately or attend group karate classes. The classes will benefit your child by enhancing focus, concentration, balance, tone, awareness, self-regulation, core strength and spatial awareness while reducing anxiety.

Juan L.:  This stable offers private and semi-private lessons for children of all ages and abilities. The stable is small so each child receives individualized attention and the owner uses her horses as therapy animals for children with anxiety, ADD, and autism. The whole feel of the place is friendly, safe and supportive. It's truly a great experience.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  Join Freefall Trampoline Park for Special Needs Night and enjoy less noise and less crowds for your family.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  The Studio Movie Grill offers sensory movie screenings for children with special needs. The family-friendly movies are shown with the lights up, volume lowered and kids can get up, move around, talk and even dance in the aisles of the theater.

Juan L.:  The Please Touch Museum is hugely popular with kids around Philadelphia. However, few people know that they have a program, Play Without Boundaries, specifically for children with learning and developmental disabilities and those on the autism spectrum.Play Without Boundaries opens the museum without the crowds to provide an opportunity for families to enjoy the museum. The Museum will be calmer and quieter with fewer people, lower lighting and less noise.