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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