Fly by the Zoo for Fall Sensory Friendly Morning! Families and friends are invited to enjoy a calm, welcoming environment with reduced crowds, limited noise, and dedicated sensory stations for all ages. Enjoy early access to the Zoo and explore nature through engaging, inclusive activities created by the Dallas Zoo and its partners.

Tickets:

• Public: $12 | FREE for members

• Parking: $14 | FREE for members

• Children 2 and under are FREE

• Registration is required.

  BUY TICKETS HERE

Plan your day:

• We encourage you to arrive closer to 8 a.m. and stay for the rest of the day.

• Parking will be available in our main parking lots located at 650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway (I-35E), Dallas, TX 75203. 

  • Via car: Take the Ewing Ave./Marsalis Ave. exit. Go through the light at Ewing Ave., get in the left lane, and use the U-turn for easy access to the I-35 northbound frontage road. Our main entrance is located by the tall giraffe statue on the northbound access road of I-35E.

  • Via DART: Take the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) RED LINE to the Dallas Zoo Station.

  • Use our Parking Map to assist with your route.

Activities:

• Calm sensory-friendly stations

• Nature exploration stations

• Arts and crafts

• Sensory path

• Sensory havens located in ZooNorth and Wilds of Africa

Downloads:

• Success Story coming soon

• Event Map coming soon

Questions? Contact the Zoo’s Education Department at

Education@DallasZoo.com or 469.554.7300.

Pumpkins After Hours: A Sensory Evening at the Dallas Arboretum

Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Join us for our first Fall Sensory Evening, designed to provide a welcoming, sensory-inclusive experience for individuals with sensory sensitivities and their families. Guests will enjoy smaller crowds, quiet zones and hands-on fall-themed activities like pumpkin exploration, leaf rubbings and nature crafts. Families will also have exclusive access to the beloved Pumpkin Village, all in a calm and inclusive environment.

Ticket Price: $15 per ticket with code DALLASSENSORY.

Purchase Tickets Here!

Join us for Sensory Friendly Morning at the Dallas Zoo, where families and friends can experience the Zoo in a welcoming, calm environment with reduced crowds, limited noise, and dedicated sensory stations for all ages.

This spring, enjoy early access to the Zoo and explore our new immersive butterfly exhibit I Spy Butterflies. Watch vibrant butterflies flutter around, discover their fascinating life cycle, and participate in hands-on sensory activities across ZooNorth.

Pricing:

$12 | FREE for members

Children 2 and under are FREE

Parking: $12 | FREE for members

RESERVE YOUR TICKETS HERE

Plan Your Day:

• We encourage you to arrive close to 8 a.m. and stay for the rest of the day.

• Parking will be located at the Tiger Lot.

• Via car: Please use our Parking Map for directions.

• Via DART: Take the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) RED LINE to the Dallas Zoo Station.

Activities:

• Live butterflies

• Nature-themed play space

• Special sensory-friendly activities

• Sensory haven

Click here to learn more!

Questions? Contact the Dallas Zoo Education Department at Education@DallasZoo.com or 469.554.7300.

Saturday, April 12 / 9–11 a.m.

Nasher Sculpture Center / 2001 Flora Street / Dallas Arts District

FREE ADMISSION for all participants / Siblings welcome / Registration requested

TEEN+ LOUNGE: Meet and make with artist Clayberry Dominguez

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Enjoy a morning in the garden of the Nasher Sculpture Center presented by the Nasher Sculpture Center and Dallas Museum of Art. Explore and discover art through active and quiet learning activities designed for neurodiverse learners of all ages:

• Scavenger hunts

• Sensory tents

• Art-making stations

• Storytelling

• Sensory spaces facilitated by occupational therapy students from Texas Woman’s University

Program registrants can choose free self-parking at the Dallas Museum of Art, or free valet in front

of the Nasher Sculpture Center. Directions and an event-specific success story will be sent to

the registrant’s e-mail address prior to the event. Please provide a valid email upon registration to

receive free parking and event reminder.

QUESTIONS?

Contact Lynda Wilbur at

lwilbur@nashersculpturecenter.org

An event for the whole family!

Registration is required to attend. Click here to reserve your tickets!

• Science experiments that will amaze your brain

• Take-home crafts for kids of all ages

The Dallas Zoo will open early for families to explore without the noise, crowds, and sensory stimuli of a typical day. We limit the number of families who can attend, turn down the sounds, and provide sensory havens. Families will enjoy exploring nature through fun and inclusive sensory-friendly activities developed by your Dallas Zoo and our partners

Click here to register

$10 admission (free for members) $12 parking (free for members) Registration required.

• Calming activities

• Art-making stations

• Nature exploration stations

• Sensory path

• Conservation activity

• Sensory spaces facilitated by occupational therapy students from Texas Woman’s University

Questions? We’re here to help! Contact us at Education@DallasZoo.com

Success Story and a special event map with activities will be sent to the registrant’s email address prior to the event.

Partners Include:

• Texas Women's University

• Perot Museum of Nature

• and Science

• Dallas Arboretum

• Texas Master Naturalists

• Frontiers of Flight Museum

• Dallas Museum of Art

Nasher Sculpture Center

Address: 2001 Flora St, Dallas, TX 75201

FREE admission for all participants. Open to the public. Siblings are welcome. Registration requested.

Enjoy an early evening in the garden of the Nasher Sculpture Center presented by the Nasher Sculpture Center and Dallas Museum of Art. Explore and discover art through active and quiet learning activities designed for neurodiverse learners of all ages.

• Scavenger hunts

• Sensory tents

• Art-making stations

• Mindful meditation

• Storytelling

• Sensory spaces facilitated by occupational therapy students from Texas Woman’s University

Program registrants can choose free self-parking at the Dallas Museum of Art, or free valet in front of the Nasher Sculpture Center. Directions and an event-specific success story will be sent to the registrant’s e-mail address prior to the event. Please provide a valid email upon registration to receive free parking and event reminder.

REGISTER HERE!

J. Erik Jonsson Central Library -

Children's Center Craft Area (2nd Floor)

Address: 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX 75201

FREE admission for all participants. Open to the public. Siblings are welcome. Registration requested. You must register through the DPL’s event listing.

Enjoy an early morning at the Dallas Public Library with activities designed for neurodiverse learners of all ages. Featuring:

• Storytime

• Safe play with the Imagination Playground blocks

• Crafts

• Sensory-friendly spaces

• More activities and partners coming soon!

Free parking is available at the library garage entrance off of Wood Street. An event-specific success story will be sent to the registrant’s e-mail address prior to the event.

With questions, please email libyouthservices@dallas.gov.

REGISTER HERE

Open Studio

Location: Dallas Museum of Art

Time: Every 1st and 3rd weekend

Level 4: Tower Studio

Whether you like to draw, paint, sculpt, or paste, we have a project for you! Join us on the first and third Saturday and Sunday of each month for a different project that offers new inspiration to play and create. All materials are provided.

The first hour of Open Studio will be dedicated to providing a pleasant sensory environment for art creation, with a focus on offering a calm and relaxing atmosphere for our sensory-sensitive attendees, but all are welcome!

In February, grab your friends and family to play a fun art-making game that results in unexpected and oftentimes hilariously silly collaborative works of art.

FREE for all families, suitable for all-ages, and no registration is required.

Open Studio

Location: Dallas Museum of Art

Time: Every 1st and 3rd weekend

Level 4: Tower Studio

Whether you like to draw, paint, sculpt, or paste, we have a project for you! Join us on the first and third Saturday and Sunday of each month for a different project that offers new inspiration to play and create. All materials are provided.

The first hour of Open Studio will be dedicated to providing a pleasant sensory environment for art creation, with a focus on offering a calm and relaxing atmosphere for our sensory-sensitive attendees, but all are welcome!

In February, grab your friends and family to play a fun art-making game that results in unexpected and oftentimes hilariously silly collaborative works of art.

FREE for all families, suitable for all-ages, and no registration is required.

Frontiers of Flight Museum

Address: 6911 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX 75209

Sensory-Friendly Day is an inclusive day for individuals on the autism spectrum or those with sensory sensitivities.

This event is at no-cost and pre-registration is required. Registration can be completed through the Frontiers of Flight’s event listing.

We are opening an hour earlier for families to explore the Museum with less noise, crowds, and stimulation of a typical day. We limit the number of families who can attend, turn down sounds, and provide sensory havens. Families can also enjoy additional fun and inclusive sensory-friendly activities developed by the Museum and its partners*.

Date: Saturday, 1/27/2024

Time: 9am - 12pm (participants welcome to stay past the event)

Cost: FREE (Pre-registration is required as space is limited; see below)

REGISTER HERE

Open Studio

Location: Dallas Museum of Art

Time: Every 1st and 3rd weekend

Level 4: Tower Studio

Whether you like to draw, paint, sculpt, or paste, we have a project for you! Join us on the first and third Saturday and Sunday of each month for a different project that offers new inspiration to play and create. All materials are provided.

The first hour of Open Studio will be dedicated to providing a pleasant sensory environment for art creation, with a focus on offering a calm and relaxing atmosphere for our sensory-sensitive attendees, but all are welcome!

In January, explore simple printmaking techniques to make your own colorful self-portrait.

FREE for all families, suitable for all-ages, and no registration is required.

Open Studio

Location: Dallas Museum of Art

Time: Every 1st and 3rd weekend

Level 4: Tower Studio

Whether you like to draw, paint, sculpt, or paste, we have a project for you! Join us on the first and third Saturday and Sunday of each month for a different project that offers new inspiration to play and create. All materials are provided.

The first hour of Open Studio will be dedicated to providing a pleasant sensory environment for art creation, with a focus on offering a calm and relaxing atmosphere for our sensory-sensitive attendees, but all are welcome!

In January, explore simple printmaking techniques to make your own colorful self-portrait.

FREE for all families, suitable for all-ages, and no registration is required.

On selected days, the DMA will be open early for children with autism and their families to enjoy art together in a fun environment. Families can participate in staff-led gallery experiences and activities provided by our Sensory Day partners. Participants can enjoy an interactive performance with a music therapist, and relax in our sensory room facilitated by occupational therapy students from Texas Woman’s University —all before public hours. 

Families will have the opportunity to explore the interactive actives in the Center for Creative Connections during this special private event, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., and are also invited to stay when the Museum opens at 11:00 a.m. to enjoy additional family programming.

Access our social story here!

This event is free and registration will open one month before the event.

Sensory Friendly Day is specially designed for individuals on the autism spectrum or those who have sensory sensitivities to enjoy a fun day at the Zoo with their families and caregivers! Participants will enjoy access to the Zoo one hour before we open to the public to ensure limited crowds and reduced sensory triggers. Sensory Havens are also available, which are modified to create relief from overwhelming situations. These special rooms are operated by our partners in the TWU Occupational Therapy department. Other modifications will include Quiet Zones throughout the Zoo and a special sensory activity tour. Plus, activity stations with our community partners Texas Women’s University, Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, and more.

Access our social story here! * ADD LINK TO SOCIAL STORY *

Pricing: $6 per person, FREE for Dallas Zoo Members*

*Members, we ask that you register in advance so we can ensure sensory-friendly crowds at this event. Login to your account to see member pricing.

Click here to register.

Come join us for an afternoon of sensory-friendly fun with your family! We will offer active and quiet spaces, games and art activities for your student to explore along our theme of “The Stone Age.” Texas Woman’s University Occupational Therapy students and partner organizations will also be there to ensure all ages enjoy a safe and meaningful visit.

Access our social story here!

The cost of the event and parking are free to those who preregister. Register here.

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