New Jersey and the surrounding areas offer a wide range of fun inclusive activities for children and individuals with Autism, special needs, and different abilities. It’s not always easy to find places that are accommodating for everyone, especially when considering factors like noise and lighting. Many attractions welcome special needs visits, so be sure to ask. Here are some judgment free options to explore.

1. GO TO A SENSORY OR AUTISM FRIENDLY PERFORMANCE

Buy your tickets in advance. Upcoming sensory friendly shows for families include:
• Stone Soup and Other Stories - Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 11am @ Papermill Playhouse (papermill.org)
• Curious George: The Golden Meatball - Sun, Mar 1, 2026, 4:30pm @ Mayo PAC (mayoarts.org)
• MJ The Musical - Sun, Mar 8, 2026, 1pm @ Neil Simon Theatre in NYC (tdf.org)

Sensory Friendly Performances for Schools

• Curious George: The Golden Meatball - Wed, Feb 4, 2025, 12pm @ State Theatre NJ (stnj.org)
• Secrets of Space - Thurs, Feb 12, 2026, 12pm @ State Theatre NJ (stnj.org)
• Billy Goats Gruff & Other Tales - Tue, Mar 24, 2026, 12pm @ State Theatre NJ (stnj.org)
• Hare & Tortoise - Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 12pm @ State Theatre NJ (stnj.org)

2. PLANETARIUM FUN

The Raritan Valley College Planetarium features “The Sky Above”, a sensory-friendly show about planets, the moon, and constellations synced to music and laser lights. Doors are open, lights are dimmed, and audio is lowered. Saturday shows: Feb 7, 2026, March 7, 2026, April 4, 2026, and May 2, 2026 at 5PM. Branchburg, NJ.

3. EXPLORE AQUATIC LIFE

Adventure Aquarium is KultureCity certified and offers marine life accessible viewing areas, sensory bags, headphone zones, and designated quiet areas. Take your time to explore sea life, fish, and more! Sensory Sundays presented by Shriners take place on the second Sunday of every month from 9:30am-10:30am. Upcoming dates: Feb 8, 2026, March 8 2026, April 12, 2026, May 10, 2026. During F.I.S.H. (Family Inclusive Sensory Hours) events, the music is low and crowds are reduced. Check website for more info. Buy tickets in advance. Camden, NJ.

Jenkinson’s Aquarium offers Sensory Saturdays for guests with autism, sensory processing, and other cognitive challenges to have fun and explore the aquarium before it’s open to the public, with less crowds, less noise and less stimulation. Check website for any upcoming dates. Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. 

SEA LIFE Aquarium at American Dream Mall offers exhibits on fish, stingrays, sharks, Jellyfish, and more! Aquariums offer sensory experiences that can be calming and soothing for kids. Opening hours in the morning may be less crowded for a visit. East Rutherford, NJ. 

4. SPEND A DAY AT THE ZOO

The Bronx Zoo is home to an incredible 4,000 animals. It is certified sensory inclusive for visitors. Check online for Sensory Sensitive Mornings and other family programs. The zoo’s Accessibility Map contains information on zoo exhibits and grounds. The Zoo has quiet zones and headphone zones to help visitors with sensory processing needs. Sensory bags available to guests.
• Sensory Sensitive Morning: Sea Birds - Sun, Apr 12, 2026, 9am-10:30am
• Sensory Sensitive Morning: Children’s Zoo - Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 9am-10:30am

The Central Park Zoo in New York City lets you explore wildlife, snow leopards, sea lions, goats, sheep, and more! The sensory inclusive programs allows families to explore the Children’s Zoo before it’s open to the public.
• Access Mornings: Barnyard Friends - Sat, Apr 4, 2026, 9:30am-10:30am
• Access Mornings: Mother’s Day - Sun, May 10, 2026, 9:30am-10:30am

Turtle Back Zoo is designated certified Sensory Inclusive by KultureCity. Explore animals and zoo attractions on your own schedule. Sensory bags, accessibility map, quiet zones and headphone zones help guests with special needs. Sensory friendly morning offers visitors an opportunity to visit without crowds. Sensory friendly evening events also offered during the year. Check website turtlebackzoo.com for details.

Other zoos to visit: Bergen County Zoo, Cape May County Zoo

5. VISIT A STEM MUSEUM

Museums are open and welcoming to the special needs community. Check venues for ticket information.

Liberty Science Center - Learn about science and STEM with interactive activities. LSC’s comprehensive sensory map lets you plan your experience accordingly. On sensory days, LSC offers an entire day of science learning for children with Autism and sensory sensitivities. Check website for any upcoming dates. 

Intrepid Museum in NYC - Visit and see ships, planes, space shuttle and more! The Intrepid offers Access Family Programs where children can experience the Museum in a sensory-friendly environment. Upcoming Special Access Program: Astronauts Aboard on Sun, Feb 8, 2026, 11am-1pm. 

The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia - Enjoy hands on exhibits and experiences related to science, the brain, sports, space, the human body and more! The museum Sensory Guide provides guidance and helpful tips on certain experiences that may have high levels of stimulation. Sensory backpacks are stocked with helpful tools like noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses, fidgets, and sensory guide alerts to help reduce sensory stimulation. fi.edu

Museum of Natural History in New York City - Come see exhibits on Dinosaurs, fossils, space, planets, insects, oceans, butterflies, and so much more! Discovery Squad events are for children ages 5-12 with Autism and developmental disabilities. Held the third Saturday of each month. Includes tour of select halls before opening to the public, followed by free play in the Discovery Room. FREE, advanced registration required. Check website for upcoming Discovery Squad dates. 

6. GET CREATIVE WITH ART

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC offers art workshops for individuals with Autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Register online for FREE Discoveries art workshops for children ages 5-13, ages 14-22, and ages 23+ for the following dates: Jan 25, 2026. 

Museum of Modern Art Monthly Create Ability Program MoMA provides Create Ability and Access Programs for creative art experiences for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities. Upcoming Create Ability events (preregistration required), 11am-1pm for ages 5-17 or 2pm-4pm for ages 18+: Shape Shifting on Sun, Feb 1, 2026; Dream Together on Sun, Mar 1, 2026; Color Experiment on April 12, 2026; Familiar Faces on May 3, 2026. 

Crayola Experience offers dozens of hands-on creative art activities. They serve guests with special needs and is designed for everyone to enjoy. Upcoming Sensory Sundays: Feb 8, 2026, Mar 8, 2026, May 17, 2026. Visitors can enjoy all the attractions in a sensory friendly environment where lights are dimmed, music will be off, quiet room available, costume parade, and trick or treat stations. Tickets online. Easton, PA. 

New York City Ballet Autism Friendly Access Workshops are for children ages 4-12 with Autism and other sensory needs. NYC Ballet dance instructors will guide children in ballet movement warm up and choreography. No dance experience necessary. Buy tickets online. Upcoming dates: Sat Jan 24, 2026 at 1pm, Sat Jan 31, 2026 at 1pm, Sat Apr 25, 2026 at 1pm. 

7. CATCH A MOVIE

AMC Theaters in partnership with the Autism Society offer sensory friendly movies every month, scheduled on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays for family friendly films and on Wednesday evenings for mature films. The lights are up and the sound is down. Audience members can get up, dance, walk, or sing. Check your local NJ AMC theater in Cherry Hill, Clifton, Freehold, Jersey Gardens, New Brunswick, and Rockaway.

8. TRY SKIING OR SNOW BOARDING

Many ski resorts offer adaptive sports programs for kids and individuals with disabilities. The special needs community can experience outdoor fun with skiing and snowboarding.

At Mountain Creek (mountaincreek.com) in Vernon NJ, you can book an adaptive program with lift ticket, lesson, and rentals. Campgaw Mountain (skicampgaw.com) in Mahwah offers learn how to ski or snowboard adaptive lessons for children ages 7+.

Pennsylvania Adaptive Programs offered at Camelback Resort, Jack Frost Big Boulder (jfbb.com), Liberty Mountain Resort, Spring Mountain Adventures, Whitetail Resort.

New York State Adaptive Programs offered at Catamount Ski Area, Gore Mountain, Whiteface, and Windham Mountain.

9. HORSE BACK RIDING THERAPY

Try equine therapy to help children with special needs. Benefits can help balance, coordination, muscle movement, self esteem, confidence, focus, and motor skills. Therapeutic horseback riding programs are offered at Seaton Hackney Stables in Morristown and Pony Power Therapies in Mahwah, NJ.

10. ENJOY INDOOR WATER FUN

Island Resort Waterpark at the Showboat in Atlantic City NJ. Relax in tropical waters heated over 80 degrees year round. Attractions include Adventure Pool, Blue Water Cascade, Kids Cove for little ones, water slides, lazy river, and more! islandwaterparkac.com

Sahara Sam’s Waterpark - water park rides and water fun. Check website to view sensory guide and accessible events. West Berlin, NJ. 

11. GET ACTIVE WITH SPORTS

Special Olympics NJ offers many opportunities for children and young athletes with different abilities to get involved in a sports play program. Walking, running, jumping, throwing, kicking, and competition in all types of sports! Find a local NJ program near you. sonj.org

12. GO PLAY!

Imagine That!!! offers fun indoor play for pre-schoolers and young children. Family friendly exhibits and activities where kids can play, touch, and imagine. Try visiting in the mornings for a more comfortable experience. Located in Florham Park, NJ. imaginethatmuseum.com

Monster Mini Golf lets you be among monsters as you glow in the dark. Play the arcade, laser tag, mini golf, games and prizes. Welcoming special needs families in Edison, Paramus, and Fairfield, NJ. monsterminigolf.com

13. VISIT A SEASONAL THEME PARK

Storybook Land offers family friendly park rides and attractions for young children. The Assisted Access Pass is for guests who have difficulty waiting and can ride the next ride cycle. Sensory friendly designated quiet zones available. Egg Harbor Township, NJ. storybookland.com

Sesame Place is the first theme park designated as a Certified Autism Center. Experience family friendly rides and attractions based on Sesame Street themes and characters. Extensive sensory guide of services, rides, shows, low sensory area, low sensory parade viewing, quiet dining and more! Meet & take photo with Julia, a 4 year old muppet with Autism. Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, a wristband is provided for guests with non-visible disabilities who require a little extra time and patience. Visit during The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular or A Very Furry Christmas. Langhorne, PA.

Six Flags Great Adventure is designated a Certified Autism Center. Experience family rides, thrill rides, and more at Six Flags! The Attraction Access Program is designed to accommodate guests with disabilities and matches the individual abilities to the ride criteria for each attraction. Individuals can apply for IBCCES Individual Accessibility Card for accommodations. Jackson, NJ.

14. LEARN MARTIAL ARTS

Special Dragons Karate provides fun classes and programs for the special needs population. Taught by certified special education instructors. Sign up for a free trial. Locations in Bergenfield, Belleville, Jersey City, Paterson, Union, NJ. 

15. DISCOVER NATURE AND PARKS

Nature trails are full of sensory activities. Enjoy nature at local county parks and New Jersey state parks. 

The Watchung Reservation Sensory Friendly Trail is located within the park’s Trailside Nature and Science Center in Union County. Enjoy the park year round. The walking path has a gazebo, talking stations, hands-on sensory play, and more! It’s accessible to all visitors, including those with disabilities and special needs. 

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