Seattle Family Calendar
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If you have a child with sensory needs, you know those needs extend beyond the controlled confines of your home and your child’s school. Everyday trips to the grocery store or to the neighborhood park may carry extra challenges. Visiting a busy museum can quickly overwhelm a child with sensory issues, and a typical playground might be useless to a kid who gets around with the assistance of a wheelchair.
I’ve been there, and as a parent of a child with an autism spectrum disorder, I feel strongly that kids with disabilities deserve more options when it comes to fun, sensory-friendly things to do.
Fortunately, the number of destinations catering to the unique needs of our families is growing all the time! We’ve gathered a list of outings and activities around Seattle that cater to children with sensory needs or disabilities, along with their families.
Wicked Rae’s
At Wicked Rae’s you can step into an art studio experience that encourages mess! Run by a mother and daughter who believe that “art needed less judgment and more joy,” this creative space accommodates a wide range of ages, skills and abilities. Children ages 3–7 can have a 45-minute sensory-rich art and movement experience at the Sensory Art Workshop, where kids can try splatter painting, watercolor, tactile collage, sculpting, movement to music, and story-led art prompts. Parents are welcome to observe!
Hours and cost: First and Third Sundays, 11–11:45 a.m. Costs $35 per child. See details and register online.
Location: 3220 California Ave. S.W., Suite 128, Seattle
Pacific Science Center
Pacific Science Center offers Sensory-Friendly Hours one Saturday or Sunday a month, typically either in the morning, 8–10 a.m., or in the evening, 5–7 p.m. These hours are outside the regular hours that the center is open to the public. Attendance is limited, lighting is softened, and the noise level and visual stimulation on interactive exhibits is decreased wherever possible. Exhibits are tailored for a sensory-friendly experience.
The general exhibits and the IMAX theater are fully ADA-accessible, wheelchairs are available to borrow at no cost and aides are free when accompanying a guest with a disability. Sensory kits are available anytime at the Guest Services Info Desk in Building 1 and include noise-canceling headphones, earplugs, fidgets, sunglasses and more. You can also download a social narrative explaining what it will be like to visit Pacific Science Center.
Sensory-Friendly Hours also include access to the Sensory Lounge, which provides a calm space for guests to decompress, regroup and engage in new ways. The Sensory Lounge is located in Building 2.
Hours and cost: Admission to Sensory-Friendly Hours is free. Reserve your tickets online. Walk-up tickets are also available at the North Entrance. During regular hours, admission starts at $26.20 for adults; $19.70 for youths ages 3–17 (you can view admission pricing by date and buy tickets in advance online); tots ages 2 and younger are admitted for free.
Location: 200 Second Ave. N., Seattle
Children’s Museum of Tacoma
The Children’s Museum of Tacoma invites families of children with sensory needs to play at the museum every Wednesday during its Low Sensory Hours, which take place 2–5 p.m. Ambient noise and lights are turned down to provide an inviting place where children can explore, play and learn. Weighted vests and noise-canceling headphones are available for families to borrow, upon request. Low Sensory Hours are especially appropriate for children with autism and sensory processing disorders. Low Sensory Hours are open to all children with special needs and their families.
While parents may take the opportunity to network with other families, kids enjoy a sensory-friendly play experience in the museum galleries, supported by trained museum staff and volunteers.
Families can also check out a sensory bag during their visit, which includes noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, fidget toys and more items.
Cost and hours: Admission to the museum is pay-as-you-will; guests decide how much to pay. Low Sensory Hours are scheduled every Wednesday, 2–5 p.m.
Location: 1501 Pacific Ave., Tacoma
KidsQuest Children’s Museum
Low Sensory Afternoons at KidsQuest Children’s Museum are a special time just for kids with sensory sensitivities and their families. KidsQuest turns down the noise and lights, and limits attendance so that kids can explore freely with fewer distractions. These afternoons are especially appropriate for children with autism or a sensory processing challenge, but are open to children with any type of sensory need.
KidsQuest also offers low sensory bags for checkout during any visit to the museum. Low sensory bags include a Low Sensory Storybook that introduces the museum to kids, plus headphones, sunglasses and fidget toys. Just ask at the front desk if you’d like to check out a bag.
Cost and hours: Low Sensory Afternoons occur the third Thursday of the month, 3–5 p.m. Admission to low sensory sessions is free and preregistration is required. Regular admission to the museum starts at $16.75 per person; babies younger than 1 are admitted for free. Pricing is subject to change during holidays and school breaks.
Location: 1116 108th Ave. N.E., Bellevue
Hands On Children’s Museum
Hands On Children’s Museum (HOCM) in Olympia hosts Sensory Friendly Hour for families with kids on the autism spectrum or with other sensory needs. These take place most Sundays, 9–10 a.m.
There is also a Sensory Friendly Room and Art Time on the weekends; Saturdays, 1–4 p.m., and Sundays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Art Time is Sundays, 10 a.m.–noon.
HOCM also offers free Sensory Friendly Art Kits. Each week, your child will be able to choose a different kit from the museum’s selection (all materials are included). Pick one up during Sensory Friendly Hour or in the Sensory Friendly Room.
The front desk offers brightly colored noise-muffling headphones to borrow for free during regular museum hours. Just ask.
Cost and hours: Sensory Friendly Hour takes place nearly every Sunday, 9–10 a.m. (except during weekend special events). Entry for Sensory Friendly Hour is $7.50 for all guests ages 18 months and older (regular museum admission is $19.95). Online reservations are recommended.
Location: 414 Jefferson St. N.E., Olympia
Pump It Up
Pump It Up Lynnwood hosts a special play session called Sensory Jump Night, taking place the second Tuesday evening of each month. During this time, play areas are reserved for children on the autism spectrum and their families. Jump, slide and play with sensory-friendly games in a safe and controlled atmosphere.
Cost and hours: $10 per child; $8 per sibling (plus tax). Second Tuesday of each month, 6:30–7:45 p.m.; reserve online.
Location: 18027 Hwy. 99, Suite J, Lynnwood
The Museum of Flight
Seattle family favorite The Museum of Flight offers a free program for families of children, teenagers and young adults with sensory needs called Sensory Days. On specific mornings or afternoons, typically once per quarter, preregistered families can visit the museum before it opens or after it has closed to explore exhibits in a self-guided way.
The museum also offers a Social Narrative, which visitors can download for free. The Social Narrative is a resource for guests who may benefit from descriptions and pictures that show what a typical visit to The Museum of Flight is like.
Cost and hours: Sensory Days are free and are offered on specific mornings or afternoons. See upcoming dates on The Museum of Flight website, or sign up to receive email notifications and updates about Sensory Days or other similar program offerings. Regular museum admission is $29 for adults; $21 for youths ages 5–17; and free for children ages 4 and younger.
Location: 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle
Imagine Children’s Museum
Everett’s Imagine Children’s Museum has all sorts of exhibits to inspire play for everyone. For guests with sensory needs, the museum offers Sensory Time sessions. These sessions are offered specifically for families with children on the autism spectrum, children with sensory processing issues or children with other sensory needs. Families must register in advance.
Sensory Time takes place the third Sunday of each month, 9–11 a.m., and is intended for children ages 1–12 and their families. Social Stories to help prepare children for a visit to the museum are available, along with sunglasses, noise-canceling headphones and sensory balls to borrow.
Cost and hours: Sensory Time is held on the third Sunday of each month, 9–11 a.m. It is free, though registration is required. Regular museum admission is $22 for children and adults. Babies younger than age 2 enter free.
Location: 1502 Wall St., Everett
The Children’s Museum of Skagit County
The Children’s Museum of Skagit County offers a Sensory Exploration Program for families with children on the autism spectrum, children with sensory processing disorders and children with other developmental disabilities. Children ages 1–12 are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult caregiver. A social story is available on the museum’s website to help prepare for a visit.
During the Sensory Exploration Program, the museum aims to provide a safe and understanding environment, and a quieter, less-crowded experience. Sound-reducing earmuffs, sunglasses and sensory toys are available to borrow.
Cost and hours: The Sensory Exploration Program is offered twice a month, on the second Thursday of the month, 4:30–6 p.m., and the fourth Sunday of the month, 10 a.m.–noon. Check the website for specific program dates. The sessions are free to attend and preregistration is not required.
The museum is open daily, but hours vary so check the website for details. Regular admission is $10.75 for visitors age 1 and older; babies younger than 12 months are free.
Location: 432 Fashion Way, Burlington
Museum of Pop Culture
Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP) offers Sensory-Friendly Programs, an opportunity for families to experience the museum with lowered volume and light levels. Anyone who can benefit from a low-sensory museum environment is welcome.
Before the program, you will be sent a social story, map of the museum and timeline of the day to help explain what to expect during a Sensory-Friendly Program at MOPOP.
If you plan to visit the museum during regular hours, the Sensory Rating Sheet rates each exhibit on sensory factors, including visuals, sound and scent on a scale of 0 (no impact) to 5 (very high impact).
Cost and hours: The next Sensory Friendly Day is scheduled for May 20, 2026. Access to this program is included with admission. Regular admission to the museum currently starts at $36.75 for adults; $27.50 for youth ages 5–12; children 4 and younger are free. (Tip: MOPOP pricing varies by date, use the online calendar to find lower-priced tickets. Admission is discounted for Washington residents.)
Location: 325 Fifth Ave. N., Seattle
Seattle Children’s PlayGarden and other inclusive playgrounds
All children deserve the opportunity to play, and making that possible for kids with disabilities and sensory needs is the mission of the totally amazing Seattle PlayGarden. This fully accessible public playground engages kids with Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, hearing or vision impairments and other disabilities in ways a typical playground does not. There’s a real veggie and flower garden to dig in and explore, chickens in a coop, a tree fort and musical sculpture, a foam play area and rock scramble, indoor learning facilities and more. Everything is fenced in (a huge relief for parents of kids on the autism spectrum). This playground takes ADA accessibility a step further: It was designed specifically with kids using wheelchairs in mind, from countertop heights to playground equipment. The PlayGarden is open daily, dawn to dusk. During the summer, the park has staffed free play hours for additional support.
Many more all-abilities playgrounds have opened in recent years. Our list of Seattle-area inclusive playgrounds includes old and new favorites, all with features specially designed so that all kids can play. And don’t miss Shoreline’s first universal design playground and sensory garden at Richmond Highlands Park.
For an inclusive indoor playground, consider taking your child to Sensory Playground at Seattle Gymnastics Academy in Lake City. Every Sunday, the gym is open to children with sensory needs and disabilities, with a quieter atmosphere, fewer distractions and other adaptations. There are soft foam pits, trampolines, balance beams and more. Just be sure to register in advance.
Kraken Community Iceplex
Seattle’s Kraken Community Iceplex welcomes neurodiverse individuals of all ages for periodic Sensory-Friendly Public Skate sessions. This public skate session features limited attendance, softened lighting and minimum noise levels. Sensory bags are available to borrow, and a quiet room is reserved for guests to use.
Cost and hours: Sensory-Friendly Public Skate sessions typically take place once a month during the fall and winter. Admission is $12; children ages 3 and younger skate free. Skate rentals is an additional $6.12, and skate aid rentals are $9.06. Book your session online.
More family outing ideas:
Editor’s note: This article was originally published a number of years ago and updated most recently on March 5, 2026, by ParentMap’s editorial team with a thorough fact-check.
