From museums to theme parks, movie theaters, and even some restaurants, public attractions try to appeal to many types of visitors. Denver area facilities have been adding special hours and services in order to make sure that all guests feel welcome; in particular, those who are on the autism spectrum or have sensory sensitivity needs. According to an article in Smithsonian Magazine, “… anything in the museum that is not part of the exhibit but is also stimulating — for example bright lights, loud sounds, big crowds — should be toned down, turned off or removed.” This helps kids and adults more fully enjoy the experiences in Denver that are meant for everyone.
We will attempt to keep this list updated and accurate, but please let us know if we have left off any useful resources for fun for all in the Denver area.
Area Museums With Sensory-Friendly Days and Services:
Butterfly Pavillion: Before regular hours, the Butterfly Pavilion opens its doors to the public; it offers a ticketed experience that’s sensory-friendly. With natural lighting, quiet tones and limited admission, this event provides an enjoyable, low-key experience. Each Low Sensory Morning offers guided interpretation in each exhibit, optional activity guides, and an interactive Storytime program. Click here for more information.
WOW! Children’s Museum: Sensory Friendly Playtime dates are offered that provide a low sensory event where children with autism spectrum or sensory processing disorders can explore the Museum. A limited number of families can attend, and enjoy turned-down sounds and lights, as well as adaptive equipment such as noise-reducing headphones and weighted vests. Admission is completely free for participating families thanks to program sponsor Children’s Hospital Colorado, and its donor-supported Play for All Initiative! Click here for more information.
The Children’s Museum: Low Sensory Mornings with limited attendance and through lower levels of ambient Museum noise, Children’s Museum of Denver offers an enjoyable morning for children with disabilities to play with their families. Admission is free for families of children with disabilities. Space is limited – RSVP required. Click here for more information.
Denver Art Museum: For neuro-diverse adults and children who prefer a quiet, less sensory-stimulating environment the museum offers its Low-Sensory Events on select dates. It offers a less crowded environment with reduced loud gallery sounds. It supplies sensory tools and a sensory break room and provides hands-on activities and art-making projects for all ages and abilities to enjoy. Admission is included in general admission, but space is limited. Click here for more information.
History Center Colorado: The History Colorado Center opens its doors for families who prefer a lower sensory museum environment. The museum is closed to the general public; attendance limited and sounds in the exhibits turned down. Admission is free and space is limited. RSVP is required. Click here for more information.
Denver Botanical Gardens: Its Therapeutic horticulture is a sensory, plant-based, outreach and on-site program for senior adults and those with special needs. It offers a sensory garden, sensory tours, extended hours, classes as well as consulting for a variety of special needs. Click here for more information.
Denver Museum of Nature and Science: Autism and sensory processing resources are available for checkout at the Information Desk for no charge. These include noise-reducing headphones, wiggle seats, and a S.P.A.R.K. (Sensory Processing and Autism Resource Kit) Explorer Backpack with various items that can be used to sensory-soothe or sensory-provoke. It also offers special hours at The Discovery Zone, by limiting attendance and lowering some of the ambient noise on special dates. The Discovery Zone is usually bursting with activity but can be overwhelming for some children on regular visitor days. The event is free, but registration is required. Click here for more information.
Physical Activities or Playgrounds with Sensory Services and Hours:
Skyzone: Whether soaring on the trampolines or ripping through the Warrior Course, your legs and lungs will work hard. But so will your smile muscles. And Skyzone is continually working on even more thrilling ways to play. Enjoy the freedom of jumping. Sensory hours provide a quieter, toned-down jumping experience for those with special needs. Click here for more information.
Urban Air Adventure Park: This indoor adventure park lets participants use trampolines, indoor sky-diving, laser tag, ropes course, bumper cars, dodge ball, battle beam and more. It provides an event specifically designed for children with Autism and special needs to enjoy time at the park without loud music, flashing lights and to have a lot of fun! See calendar and website for timing and details.
Carmody Park Playground This playground includes features such as mounds, ramps, and structures that children of all ages and abilities can use. The Fitness Zone is an area where patrons can come to get physical activity — it’s strategically placed so that patrons will be able to supervise their children at the playground while simultaneously getting in a workout. The equipment was selected so that everyone, regardless of fitness level, will be able to get an effective workout, and also allows patrons to focus on cardiovascular fitness, resistance training, and core/ab work, all in one convenient area. Some of the equipment is also wheelchair accessible.
2200 S. Kipling St., Lakewood
Westminster Sensory Park: This Special use Sensory Park is the city’s first completely accessible play area built in cooperation with Children’s Hospital. The park features accessible playground equipment, a sandpit, and instruments for kids to play and the sidewalk can serve as space for kids to work on perception and motor skills.
10376 Wadsworth Blvd., Westminster
E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park Sensory Playground: The playground in the very busy and popular E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park has a variety of features for touch and musical instruments to play. Its different levels feature play equipment that is accessible, including by wheelchair. The playground is in need of repair and it is applying for a grant to make improvements (Sensory Playground in Need of Update, Repairs)
11701 Community Center Dr., Northglenn
Other entertainment with Sensory hours or services:
Chuck E. Cheese: This restaurant offers a sensory-friendly experience on the first Sunday of every month at participating locations, opening its stores two hours before the normal opening time. Its Sensory Sensory events include a trained and caring staff that works to ensure each guest has a fun-filled visit. Its mission is to create an event that allows ALL kids to be a kid. Click here for more information.
Pepsi Center: The Pepsi Center has a new partnership with KultureCity to make Pepsi Center a sensory inclusive venue and now has sensory bags available for check out at the Guest Relations Kiosks in the Grand Atrium and on the concourses outside of sections 120 and 375. These bags include noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, and KCVIP pass. Also, Pepsi Center has designated “Quiet Zones” in the elevator lobbies on each level, which are located outside of sections 120, 226, and 338. Sensory bags will be available at every game and event held at the Pepsi Center. These resources are available to all visitors to the Pepsi Center.
Movies and Theaters with Sensory Programs:
AMC Movie Theaters: AMC partners with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where they turn the lights up, and turn the sound down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing! Its Sensory Friendly Film program is available on the second and fourth Saturday (family-friendly) and Tuesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month. Please check your local theatre listings for specific showtimes. #AMCSensoryFriendly.
Alamo Draft House: Offers “Alamo for All”, a movie program for young families and guests with special needs. All shows starting before 2 pm on Tuesdays follow Alamo for All rules, with more shows on the weekends. The lights are turned up and sound is turned down; all ages are welcome (including infants); talking and noise is allowed and guests can move around; latecomers are admitted and adaptive technology is welcome (but no other electronics, please) Schedule may vary during holidays, check the website for more info.
Lone Tree Arts Center: This center offers sensory-friendly performances for families of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, autism, sensory processing disorder, or other conditions. Performers modify shows to ensure there are no startling noises or visually over-stimulating components, and it keeps sound levels lower than normal and lights in the audience higher than normal, ensuring audience members can see each other. Audience members are free to come and go if need be (there is always a “safe room” available) and are asked to wave hands rather than clapping. Check the website for upcoming performances.
