This information was created for Blue Bird Day families and their children to continue fostering skills, expand speech, language and global development and increase self-esteem, independence and social skills. All information provided was taken directly from each website. Please call or use the hyperlinks to access additional information.
Sensory Friendly Museums
1. The Art Institute of Chicago
Home to a collection of art that spans centuries and the globe. A sensory map is provided to assist in finding sensory-friendly spaces in the museum. Use the guide for finding spaces that will likely be quieter and less crowded, and spaces with tactile engagements and activities. A social narrative is provided for those who would benefit from knowing what to expect before their visit.
The Art Institute of Chicago Home Page
Visitors with Autism or Sensory-Processing Disorders
Location: 111 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: (312) 443-3600
Sensory Map & Social Narrative
*Next free hours for Illinois residents will be on Thursday evenings, 5:00–8:00, June 6–September 26, 2024.
2. Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier
Family and child friendly museum located at Navy Pier. Chicago Children’s Museum’s mission is to improve children’s lives by creating a community where play and learning connect. The museum offers various exhibits based on age that foster skills.
Chicago Children’s Museum Home Page
Location: 700 E. Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 527-1000
3. Field Museum
A family friendly museum that holds permanent and rotating exhibits. Field Museum guests can preview exhibitions and follow a sensory-friendly map through its Apple Store “Field Museum for All” app or its Google Play “Field Museum: Inclusion & Accessibility Tools” application. Apps are free of charge.
Location: 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60605
Phone: (312) 922-9410
Sensory Friendly Field for All App: The free mobile app helps families and groups—including visitors with autism and disabilities—plan their visit with resources like exhibition previews, customizable schedules, and a sensory-friendly museum map.
Sensory Bags: We understand that the Museum can be overwhelming for some and if your visit would be better accommodated with the use of a sensory bag, feel free to visit the Visitor Center on the ground floor. These include various fidgets, sunglasses, headphones, and emotion cards we hope may better the museum experience.
4. Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry is the largest science center in the Western Hemisphere.
Low-Sensory Mornings
A series of events dedicated to providing sensory-friendly time with Museum exhibits. Low-Sensory Mornings are events where guests can explore the Museum in a less crowded and more sensory-friendly environment before the Museum opens to the public. Low-Sensory Morning tickets include exclusive early access to the Museum from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and special access to temporary exhibits and programs. Low-Sensory Morning dates will be announced at least one month in advance. You can check the Events page for any dates currently open for registration.
Register for Low Sensory Mornings
The Sensory Map and Communication Book can assist with your visit, and field trip organizers may be interested in the Field Trip Social Narrative.
Museum of Science and Industry Home Page
Accessibility & General Sensory Notes
Illinois Free Day Ticketing Sign Up
*Upcoming free days in 2024: June 6th, 19th; August 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th, September 3rd –5th, 8th-11th, 15th-18th, 23rd-25th
Location: 5700 S Dusable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60637
Phone: (773) 684-1414
Entry Hall: Loud Noises: During busier times when the Entry Hall is full of people, this creates a lot of noise. Sensory Note: The Entry Hall is a large space with big signs, big stairs, video screens and lights.
Rotunda: Sensory Note: The Rotunda is a large, open space with views into other exhibits. Loud Noises: The Rotunda has music playing throughout the day. Sometimes you will hear loud noises from other exhibits. Bright Lights: Lights above the Rotunda project different colors and patterns that move across the floor.
Quieter Exhibits: Out of the Vault, Eye Spy, Ships Gallery, Art of the Bicycle and Yesterday’s Main Street tend to be the quietest and most relaxing exhibits in the Museum. More Exhibits and Experiences sensory notes
Quieter Times: Although the Museum regularly has a lot of sounds, the following times tend to be less busy and generally quieter: February, May, September, and October. Spring Break (March/April), summer (June/July), and the holidays (November/December) are the busiest at MSI. Crowds at these times can add to overall noise and energy.
Noise-Dampening Headphones: Noise-reducing headphones are available for free rental using an ID at Guest Services in the Entry Hall.
5. Museum of Contemporary Art
The Museum of Contemporary Art, known for groundbreaking exhibitions and performances, is one of the nation’s largest multidisciplinary museums devoted to the art of our time.
Museum of Contemporary Art Home Page
Accessibility & Sensory Friendly Calendar
Location: 220 E Chicago Ave Chicago IL 60611
Phone: (312) 280-2660
Sensory-Friendly Mornings at the MCA is a free, sensory-friendly program for neurodiverse visitors of all ages. Preregistered individuals and their families can visit the museum before it opens to the public and explore exhibitions at their own pace. Lobby lights are less intense, and a quiet space is available for breaks.
6. Wonder Works Children’s Museum
Wonder Works’ mission is to spark curiosity and creativity in all young children through positive play-based learning experiences.
Location: 6445 W North Avenue, Oak Park, IL
Sensory-Friendly Attractions
1. Garfield Park Conservatory
This historic conservatory is one of the largest in the nation. Often referred to as “landscape art under glass,” the Garfield Park Conservatory is a soaring public greenhouse filled with plants from around the world and surrounded by 10 acres of outdoor gardens.
Location: 300 N. Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60624
Phone: 773-638-1766
Social Narrative for Visiting Garfield Park Conservatory
The Sensory Garden is a large, raised bed filled with plants perfect for touching, smelling, and examining closely. Garfield Park Conservatory offers free sensory tours designed for those with vision impairments or sensory processing issues.
2. Lincoln Park Zoo
A family and child friendly free zoo located in the heart of Lincoln Park. There is an interactive petting zoo as well.
Sensory Information for Zoo Buildings
Location: 2001 N. Clark St. Chicago IL, 60614
Phone: (312) 922-9410
Sensory bags: Available in the Lincoln Park Zoo’s Searle Visitor Center, which includes noise-cancelling headphones, a stress ball and yellow-tinted sunglasses. A quiet room is in the Member Center near the Searle Visitor Center. Tactile opportunities and places with high and low stimulation are listed on the zoo’s website.
3. Navy Pier
There’s something for everyone to love at Navy Pier, Chicago’s iconic lakefront attraction, like taking in the views from atop the giant Ferris wheel or spending the day at the Children’s Museum.
Plan Your Visit & Accessibility
Location: 600 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 1-800 595-PIER (7437)
4. Brookfield Zoo
Family friendly zoo in Brookfield, IL. In addition to the sensory-friendly family room and a resource center to Hamill Family Play Zoo, Brookfield Zoo offers its BZ Care Kits, which includes noise-reducing headphones, visual schedules, self-identifying badges, social stories, and more.
Access & Inclusion at Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Location: 8400 W 31st St, 60513 Brookfield, IL
Summer 2024 Family Play Program for 1-3 years Family Play Program Sign Up
5. Shedd Aquarium
Shedd Aquarium is an indoor public aquarium in Chicago. The aquarium holds about 32,000 animals and is the third largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, after the Georgia Aquarium and Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Location: 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL 60605
Phone: (312) 939-2438
Sensory-Friendly Theaters and Venues
1. Goodman Theatre
Located in the downtown theatre district, the award-winning Goodman Theatre is Chicago’s oldest and largest not-for-profit theatre. The theatre has won acclaim for its contemporary and classic productions since its founding in 1925.
Location: 170 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: (312) 443-3800
Sensory-friendly/relaxed performances are designed for patrons who have autism or other social, cognitive, and physical challenges that create sensory sensitivities and their families. Accommodation includes lower light and sound levels, designated quiet areas, limited crowds, and more.
Sensory bags are available during all performances and contain noise-reducing headphones, two fidgets, a notebook and pen, and more.
2. Chicago Children’s Theatre
The Chicago Children’s Theatre is dedicated to creating diverse theatrical productions that inspire curiosity and courage in young people, with an emphasis on inclusion and accessibility.
Chicago Children’s Theatre – Our Story
Location: 100 S Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: (773) 227-0180
Sensory-friendly performances are tailored specifically for guests on the autism spectrum or with other sensory sensitivities. Production elements such as lighting, sound, and volume are modified, and staff are trained to create a welcoming environment.
3. Seesaw Theatre
Producing original, multi-sensory theatre for disabled audiences.
Seesaw Theatre Sensory Friendly
Northwestern University Evanston, IL
Multi-Sensory: Our shows are made to embrace all the senses, not just sight and sound. Get ready to walk into a brand-new world.
One-on-one: When you bring a guest to a Seesaw Theatre production, you can sit back and relax as an adventure guide acts as their liaison to the show.
Safe: Our shows are designed under strict supervision from our design chair to be safe and accessible for our audience.
4. Marcus Theatres
Family friendly movie theatre.
4. United Center
Go Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Bulls! The center also hosts a wide variety of music, comedy and other events all year long.
Accessibility & Sensory Inclusive Guide
Location: 1901 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 455-4500
The United Center is certified as a sensory inclusive venue. United Center staff has been trained on identifying and meeting the needs of guests with sensory needs. United Center now offers a therapeutic space with a variety of equipment that provides a calming, peaceful environment for guests with sensory needs. Guests needing a quiet space can visit the Guest Relations Booth at Gate 2 to request access to the room. The new Sensory Room is located at Gate 2 1/2. Additionally, the arena has sensory bags available for guests to check out at Guest Relations Booths located inside Gates 2 and 6 on the 100 level, Section 221 and Section 325. Sensory bags include noise canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards, and weighted lap pads.
Guest Relations Booth Locations: Gate 2 Concourse, Gate 6 Concourse, Section 221, Section 325
Recreation Programs
1. Chicago Park District – Special Needs Programming
Yearlong program, activities include field trips, arts and crafts, games, sports and swimming.
Special Recreation Activity Search
Location: Across Chicago
Phone: (312) 742-5798
specialrecreation@chicagoparkdistrict.com
2. Creative Exchange Music Therapy Clinic
The clinic was created to meet the individual needs of all clients. The clinic offers both individual and group therapy music sessions. A free consultation is offered to see if music therapy would be a good fit.
Creative Exchange Music Therapy Home Page
Location: 1527 Westchester Blvd., Suite One South, Westchester, IL 60154
Phone: (708) 345-6100 or (773) 562-6202
3. YMCA
Activities include swimming, group games, arts and crafts, kickball, board games, field trips, and free play.
Location: Various locations across Chicagoland area
4. The Community House
Nonprofit organization that offers both community recreation and quality social services to people of all ages and walks of life. They make a difference in the lives of thousands of families and individuals by providing local opportunities for athletics, arts and culture, counseling, education services, volunteer opportunities, and community connections.
Location: 415 W. Eighth Street, Hinsdale, IL, 60521
Phone: (630) 323-7500
The Community House Summer Brochure
Email: info@thecommunityhouse.org
Sensory Inclusive Playgrounds
1. The Playground for Everyone at Butterfield Park
Butterfield Park is home to the Park District’s inclusive playground, the Playground for Everyone, which is perfect for children of all abilities.
Location: 385 E. Van Buren Street, Elmhurst, IL 60126
Phone: (630) 993-8900
2. Sensory Garden Playground
The Sensory Garden Playground is a combination of sensory-integrated playground equipment and amenities along with gardening areas. The 37-acre facility is being developed in phases as funding becomes available.
Sensory Garden Playground Home Page
Location: 2751 Navistar Drive, Lisle, IL 60532
Phone: (630) 510-4984
3. The Sandlot Universal Playground at Oak Brook Park District
The Oak Brook Park District works to remove physical, social, and emotional barriers to play and recreation so that people of all ages and abilities have access to exciting opportunities designed to help them be their very best and feel their very best, every single day.
Location: 1301 Forest Gate Road, Oak Brook, IL 60523
Phone: (630) 990-4233
4. We Rock the Spectrum
We Rock the Spectrum is a gym for children of all abilities! It provides children with a fun and motivational environment to help them in the areas of strength, movement, sensory processing, communication, positive behavior modification, social interactions and self-care skills.
Locations: Edwardsville, Franklin Park, Naperville & coming soon to Chicago!
Sensory Friendly Airlines
1. Delta
In addition to Delta-curated tools like multi-sensory rooms, their partners at airports and the Transportation Security Administration can help make the journey an accessible one, no matter what your needs may be.
Delta Travel Welcoming Experience
2. Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand recognizes the importance of its role in the carriage of all passengers, including those with disabilities.
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard
If you’re travelling with a disability that is not immediately obvious, you may wish to wear a sunflower lanyard, pin or bracelet to discreetly signal to the crew that you may need additional understanding, time and support. Their staff are trained in how to approach, support and guide you through your journey.
3. Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic believes everyone can take on the world. So, if you have accessibility or medical requirements, or just need some additional support, they can help with a wide range of assistance to make sure you enjoy their fabulous service at every step of your journey.
Assistance Traveling With a Hidden Disability
Disability Awareness Printable PDF
4. Major Airports
Wings for Autism®/Wings for All® are airport “rehearsals” specially designed for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities. The programs are designed to alleviate the stress that families who have a child with autism or intellectual/developmental disabilities experience when flying. It provides families the opportunity to practice entering the airport, obtaining boarding passes, going through security and boarding a plane. Airport, airline, Transportation Security Administration professionals, and other personnel also can observe, interact, and deliver their services in a structured learning environment.
Additional Sensory-Friendly Resources
1. The Insect Asylum
The Insect Asylum is a safe and welcoming space for people of all walks of life to explore.
Event Tickets – Sensory Friendly Friday & Sensory Seeking Sunday
Location: 2870 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60632
Phone: (312) 961-7219. Call this number if you require any additional accommodation or would like to block out time for a group, the main floor is handicap friendly.
Sensory Friendly Friday: During 10:30am and 3pm on Friday afternoons, there will be no music, no flashing or distracting lights, and we will have limited entry of 10 guests or 1 collective group.
Sensory Seeking Sunday: Bring your family and come play with sensory bins, make slime, find toy insects hidden amongst ooey gooey mixtures, and SO much more! Every week will be different and fun!
2. AMC Theatres
AMC is a proud partner with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where we turn the lights up and turn the sound down. Our Sensory Friendly Film program is available on the second and fourth Saturday (family friendly) and Wednesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month.
Locations: Chicagoland suburbs
- AMC DINE-IN Northbrook 14
- AMC DINE-IN Yorktown 18
- AMC Naperville 16
- AMC South Barrington 24
3. Hollywood BLVD Cinema
Sensory friendly screenings at Hollywood Blvd Cinema are designed for everyone that may have a different need while seeing a movie. Anything from a sensitivity to loud sounds, inability to sit still and everything in between. Lights will be on, sound softer and walking around will be welcomed in a safe judgement free zone.
Sensory Friendly Series & Family Friendly Events
Location: Hollywood Blvd. 1001 W 75th ST. Woodridge, IL 60517
Phone: 630-427-1880
4. SPECTRUM Toy Store
SPECTRUM Toy Store are the only toy store in Illinois specifically for children with developmental disabilities and one of few in the entire country! They offer a variety of toys, sensory items, children’s books and resources for caregivers and educators. We are your source for special needs toys, products and adaptive equipment.
Location: 1911 W. Belmont Chicago, IL 60657
Phone: 773-231-8001
5. Sky Zone
The trampoline park is a fantastic spot for young explorers! The parks are full of one-of-a-kind attractions designed to push your limits, allow you to fly higher, laugh harder and have tons of fun. With the widest selection of activities around, Sky Zone is sure to have something for everyone.
Blue Bird Day fosters socialization, sensory regulation, and pre-academic learning in children ages 2-7 years in therapeutic rotations that simulate preschool and kindergarten settings. Our compassionate therapists practice a relationship-based and family-centered approach, provide parent training, and collaborate on goals and individualized intensive treatment plans for your child.
We believe in a collaborative and multi-disciplinary team approach to therapy. A team of occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, dietitians, developmental therapists, behavioral therapists, physical therapists, and therapeutic assistants are created for each child to ensure child and family are fully supported and the best possible results are achieved.
Options for individualized, group and virtual therapy sessions are available as well.
Want to learn more or you have a specific question? Feel free to connect with us here!
