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Sensory-Friendly Events in Chicago for Kids

Calm Waters is a sensory-friendly event at Shedd Aquarium. Photo courtesy of the Shedd Aquarium
Calm Waters is a sensory-friendly event at Shedd Aquarium. Photo courtesy of the Shedd Aquarium
7/11/25 - By Maureen Wilkey

For kids on the autism spectrum or with sensory processing issues, planning a fun day at a museum, pool, or trampoline park can be difficult for the child and their family. If loud noises and bright flashing lights bother your child, try sensory-friendly times or days offered by many Chicago area family institutions. These events can also be great for toddlers and kids who just don't like loud noises or bright lights, or who are uncomfortable in big crowds.

We only listed events here that we could confirm through a website at a Chicago area location. You may be able to find more by doing a deeper dive at locations close to your home — we didn't check all locations of each trampoline park or kids' restaurant in Chicago. If you're not sure, call ahead to confirm that the event is actually happening.

If you're looking for a sensory-friendly place at any given time of day, check out We Rock The Spectrum in Franklin Park. Friendly to kids of all different sensory needs, this play place has an open gym and arts and crafts area. You can also take classes or plan a birthday party there!

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We Rock the Spectrum is sensory-friendly every day. Photo courtesy of We Rock the Spectrum
We Rock the Spectrum is sensory-friendly every day. Photo courtesy of We Rock the Spectrum

Sensory Friendly Events for Kids in Chicago

Sensory Friendly Friday at Insect Asylum

Bucktown
Fridays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Insect Asylum, a vintage taxidermy and zoology museum, offers quiet hours with no flashing lights and a gentle atmosphere each Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A limited number of guests will be allowed in during each time slot with special activities planned based on each family's interests. READ MORE

Children's Museum of Oak Lawn Sensory Friendly Play Sessions

Oak Lawn
Sundays, 9 a.m to 10 a.m.
Children's Museum of Oak Lawn's Sensory-Friendly Play Sessions offer a calm and comfortable environment for families with children who benefit from a low-sensory play experience. This time is specifically designed for children with sensory processing differences, autism, or other special needs. READ MORE

AMC Sensory Friendly Films

Various Chicago locations
Second and Fourth Saturday of each month
AMC and the Autism Society have teamed up to present family friendly sensory movie screenings on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month. The lights will remain up and the sound will stay down so people with sensory needs can experience the movie in a way that is comfortable for them. Movies will begin at exactly the posted start time without previews. READ MORE

Sensory-Friendly Time at Build-A-Bear Workshop

Various Chicago locations
Tuesdays, first hour after opening
Bear builders help children build a bear in a way that is comfortable for them with a sensory friendly first hour of business every Tuesday morning. Each store will have dimmer lighting, little or no music, and a step-by-step information guide to help parents tell their children what will happen in advance. Siblings are welcome! READ MORE

Sensory Hours at SkyZone Elmhurst

Elmhurst
Mondays, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Enjoy the freedom of jumping at SkyZone Elmhurst. Sensory hours provide a quieter, toned-down jumping experience for those with special needs every Monday from 2 pm to 6 pm.  READ MORE

Everyone at Play

Glenview
Sundays, July 27, August 24, September 21, and November 2
Kids with special needs can enjoy a day at Kohl's Children's Museum while it's closed to the general public. This gives families the opportunity to play in a calm, creative environment among the museum's 17 exhibits and 2 acres of outdoor space. READ MORE

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Low Sensory Mornings

Hyde Park
Sundays, August 24, September 21, October 19, and December 14
Low Sensory Morning tickets include exclusive early access to the Museum from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and Museum Entry for the remainder of the day. Most Museum experiences will be altered to be more sensory-friendly until noon. READ MORE

Sensory Friendly Days at Six Flags Great America

Gurnee
Sundays through September 8
Guests who want a theme park experience with less noise and crowds can visit Six Flags Great America from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Sunday through September 8. Enjoy lower park audio, quiet breaks throughout the park, and access to rides. Ear plugs will be available while supplies last. Apply for an accessibility card request accommodations in advance. READ MORE

Calm Waters at the Shedd Aquarium

Museum Campus
Sundays, August 24, September 7, October 5, and November 16
Calm Waters is an exclusive event for guests with disabilities and Veterans to explore Shedd Aquarium’s exhibits and experiences in a comfortable and accepting environment. Modifications for this event will include limited capacity and streamlined entry with advance registration. READ MORE

Wonder Works for Everyone

Oak Park
Sundays, July 6 and 13
During Wonder Works for Everyone play sessions, the museum opens an hour early for an accessible and inclusive environment. Each Wonder Works for Everyone session requires pre-registration for a limited number of families so that the team best prepare the Wonder Works environment for a sensory friendly play session. READ MORE

Northbrook Park District Sensory Friendly Pool Days

Northbrook
Sundays, July 6 and August 3
This pool event goes beyond traditional aquatic experience, creating a calm and comfortable environment with no music or loud noises.Visit Northbrook Sports Center Pool for a night to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of swimming without the sensory overload a public pool can create. All ages are welcome. No registration required! Pool members can use their pool passes to enter. READ MORE

Adaptive Play Time at DuPage Children's Museum

Naperville
Wednesdays July 2, August 6, September 17, October 8, November 5, and December 3
DuPage Children’s Museum is dedicated to being an accessible, inclusive environment for children to thrive through extraordinary learning experiences. Adaptive Play Time provides a modified environment for play and learning for children and their caregivers. This program is intended for families with disabilities, on the autism spectrum, and/or sensory processing disorders. READ MORE

Sensory-Friendly Day at Farm-in-the-Zoo

Lincoln Park
Sunday, July 20
Sensory-friendly Hours at Lincoln Park Zoo benefit guests of all ages who identify as disabled, neurodiverse, sensory sensitive, or autistic. These special events are also designed for people living with dementia, blind or low vision, or chronic illnesses, plus members of the Deaf community. During sensory-friendly times such as Sensory-friendly Mornings, Sensory-friendly Days, and Sensory-friendly ZooLights, guests experience the zoo grounds and animal buildings in a comfortable and inclusive way. These events happen once a quarter. READ MORE

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