We at DFWChild recognize the importance of moving beyond awareness and toward autism acceptance and inclusion. That’s why we’re spotlighting a few local destinations and attractions that go above and beyond to offer equal access to those with sensory processing challenges.
It’s true that more and more venues offer specific “sensory days”—many of which you can find on our calendar by tapping for “special needs friendly”—and these all-abilities playgrounds and movie theaters that offer sensory-friendly movie screenings are very much worth a look. But here we take a closer look at six venues around Dallas-Fort Worth that offer unique or multiple accommodations for those with sensory sensitivities so you can feel comfortable visiting any time of year.
Down to Play
Opened summer 2024 by a local family in honor of their 2-year-old daughter with Down syndrome, Down to Play is a fully accessible play area featuring a 3,500-square-foot play structure, a toddler and baby area, and a sensory room for any kiddos who may need to take a break. Caregivers will feel just as welcome here too—the space has plenty of seating, TVs playing all the sports and a snack bar with freshly brewed LDU coffee.
Location: 6464 E. NW Highway, Suite 138, Dallas, Texas
Hours: 9am–7pm daily
Pricing: $20 for all-day open play also includes two adults per child; $5 for additional adult.
Contact: 214/484-7258
Learn more: downtoplay.com
Explorium Denton Children’s Museum
It’s called a museum but your kids will love playing and exploring its all-ages activities that allow them to explore math, science and technology. The museum also offers sensory friendly hours (with less crowds and less noise) in the morning on second Saturdays of every month.
Location: 5800 I-35, Suite 214, Denton, Texas
Hours: 10am–5pm Tuesday–Saturday (open until 6pm during the summer); closed Sunday and Monday
Pricing: $5 for adults; $6 children; free for babies held in a carrier or in a stroller. Free for members.
Contact: 940/320-5444
Learn more: exploriumdenton.org
We Rock the Spectrum
These play gyms are thoughtfully equipped to encourage physical, social, and emotional development in a sensory-friendly setting. There are open sessions where children can enjoy suspended equipment with swings, mats and pillows, a zip line, trampoline, play structure and sensory toys. Kiddos can get creative in the arts and crafts area, and join a class or private party.
Locations: Multiple locations
North Dallas: 11722 Marsh Lane #336, Dallas, Texas; 214/468-4880
Lakewood: 7328 Gaston Ave., Ste. 130, Dallas, Texas; 214/884-9462
DeSoto: 901 N. Polk Street, Suite 370, DeSoto, Texas; 469/940-3801
Plano: 1941 Preston Road, Suite 1022, Plano, Texas; 214/954-7221
Hurst: 270 Grapevine Hwy., Hurst, Texas; 817/970-4000
Hours: Varies by location but generally 9am–6pm daily
Pricing: See each location (at the links above) for specific pricing details.
Learn more: werockthespectrumkidsgym.com
Chuck E. Cheese
This storied chain of kid-focused restaurants offer these special play days on the first Sunday of the month. Participating locations across Dallas-Fort Worth open early for sensitive-friendly play. Check with a Chuck E. Cheese near you to confirm participation. Elements include dimmed lighting, shows and music turned down or turned off, quieter arcade games and a less-crowded environment.
Locations: Multiple participating locations at North Dallas and RedBird (Dallas), Allen, in Garland (at Firewheel and on Centerville), Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Irving, Lewisville, North Forth Worth (Presidio), Plano and Rockwall
Hours: Two hours before regular Sunday open hours, generally 9–11am
Pricing: No admission charge; food and game pricing varies
Learn more: chuckecheese.com
Amon Carter Museum of American Art
This art museum in the Fort Worth Cultural District is a stand-out, first of all because it always offers free admission year-round, even for its special exhibitions, as well as for many of its family and access programs, of which there are several.
Not only does the Carter host a program called Meet Up at the Museum specifically for adults on the autism spectrum(you need only RSVP online to take advantage) but also Sensory Explorations for children. This two-hour, drop-in program with art-making experiences, tours and performances in the galleries, is offered a few times each year.
To prep your child for these events or for a visit any time of year, take a look at the museum’s social narrative here to read together. And when you arrive, stop by the information desk to check out a free ARTivity Totes. These totes explore different themes—from “Wild West” and “Have We Met?”— with activities and games that lead kids through the galleries. A favorite for those on the spectrum is the “Make Sensory to Me” tote, with scented cotton balls matching game, stuffed items, a tangle toy and other items.
Location: 3501 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 10am–5pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 10am–8pm Thursday; noon–5pm Sunday; closed Monday
Pricing: Free
Contact: For questions about programming, call 817/989-5013 or email education@cartermuseum.org. The museum’s main line is 817/738-1933.
Learn more: cartermuseum.org
Fort Worth Museum of Science & History
Some of this museum’s biggest draws for little kids—in addition to the DinoLab and Noble Planetarium—are the Children’s Museum, a play space for kids 8 and younger to play doctor or shop at the kid-size grocery store, and Galaxy Park. This space-themed, all-inclusive playground is an outdoor retreat with structures like the Cozy Dome where kids can climb inside to relax if they’re overstimulated.
If you’re inside the museum when your child needs some alone time, retreat to the designated calming room. You’ll find that located next to the Mother’s Room inside the Children’s Museum. It’s a singular space, so it’s open to only one family at a time.
The museum occasionally closes its doors to the public for Sensory Saturdays. You won’t want to miss that special programming, so check their calendar for future dates as they are announced.
If you’re visiting on a day or time with no special programming, ask the front desk about borrowing a sensory backpack filled with small items, such as a weighted stuffed animal or weighted blanket, to soothe your child. These backpacks are available first-come, first-served at no additional charge.
Location: 1600 Gendy Street, Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 10am–5pm Tuesday–Saturday; noon–5pm Sunday; closed Monday
Pricing: General admission is $16 adults; $14 seniors; $12 children ages 3–11; free for 2 and younger
Contact: Call the education department 817/255-9536 or email rreed@fwmsh.org; main line: 817/255-9300.
Learn more: fwmuseum.org
Fort Worth Zoo
Back in 2020, Fort Worth Zoo became the first zoo in Texas to earn a designation as a Certified Autism Center. That’s a designation granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). What this means for you is that you can expect a better experience here because at least 80% of public-facing staff has received autism-specific training through IBCCES.
The Fort Worth Zoo also welcomes its guests to check out sensory bags, each containing noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools and weighted stuffed animal to hold during the visit, among other items that can provide some comfort. These sensory bags are free to use during your visit, but they’re available first come, first served, so stop by guest relations as soon as you arrive to request one.
Also, with the Fort Worth Zoo’s social story, you can prepare for your visit long before leaving the house. This story walks you and your child step-by-step through what to expect, from where to go and what sort of sounds and interactions to expect from the animals.
The zoo offers approximately 10 quiet zones and an accessibility guide that contains a sensory level chart and experience description for each attraction, including the Safari Splash water play area, reopening later in April.
Location: 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: Open daily, 10am–5pm Monday–Friday and 10am–6pm Saturday–Sunday
Pricing: $18 adults; $14 seniors; $14 children 3–12; free for 2 and younger. Half-price on Wednesdays.
Contact: 817/759-7555; info@fortworthzoo.org
Learn more: fortworthzoo.org
Kimbell Art Museum
The Kimbell is worth a visit as much for its stunning architecture as for its extensive permanent collection of masterpieces from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Ancient Americas. To help visitors on the autism spectrum get a sense of what to expect, the Kimbell has three social narratives for different age groups: early learners, adolescent children and teens and adults. These also include maps and photos, so print them out from home, or save yourself the ink and ask about hard copies from the greeter’s room inside the Piano Pavilion.
If you have a child 5 and younger, don’t miss a stop into the Kimbell’s sensory-friendly play space, Studio A. This “please touch” room is open during regular museum hours and always free.
Location: 3333 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 10am–5pm Tuesday–Thursday; noon–8pm Friday; 10am–5pm Saturday; noon–5pm Sunday; closed Monday
Pricing: Admission to the permanent collection is free. Special exhibitions: $18 adults; $16 seniors and students; $14 children ages 6–11; free for 5 and younger. Half-price admission to special exhibitions available in-person on Tuesdays from 10am–5pm and Fridays from 5–8 pm.
Contact: For questions or requests, contact 817/332-8451 or education@kimbellmuseum.org in advance of your visit.
Learn more: kimbellart.org
Meow Wolf
It’s a full-scale sci-fi fantasy inside this new immersive arts attraction inside Grapevine Mills. It’s the first location in Texas too. The only thing more fascinating than Meow Wolf’s The Real Unreal exhibition is that it’s also a Certified Autism Center. That means the staff has been trained in interacting with and supporting visitors with autism. Ask about the free sensory bags with noise reduction headphones, sunglasses and sensory toys and—later this year—for the visual description for blind and low vision guests.
Location: Grapevine Mills, 3000 Grapevine Mills Parkway, Suite 253, Grapevine, Texas, located on the east side of the mall between Neiman Marcus and Fieldhouse, near entrance two.
Hours: Open year-round. Opens daily at 10am, closing hours vary by day.
Pricing: Admission from $45 for adults 13 and up, and $40 for children 4–12, depending on the day. Free for children under 4. Go online to reserve your timed entry tickets.
Contact: 866/636-9969;
Learn more: meowwolf.com
Nasher Sculpture Center
This sculpture museum in the Dallas Arts District is certified by KultureCity as a Sensory Inclusive location, which means you can expect sensory kits and an available quiet room available by request, as well as social stories (they call them “success stories”). These stories are written in English and in Spanish and include maps too, to help guide you and your child through the center. Print these out at home to read, review and practice before your visit.
You’ll also find a copy of these stories included in the sensory kits, which are available at the admissions desk upon request. Grab one of these kits—filled with items such as binoculars and earplugs—and take your time on your self-guided tour through the indoor art galleries and on a leisurely stroll through the outdoor sculpture garden.
In addition to these everyday resources, the Nasher hosts an annual Sensory-Friendly Family Fun day. In case you can’t make it, you can still take advantage of these online components with PDFs and videos that walk you through crafts and activities designed by Texas Woman’s University Occupational Therapy students.
Location: 2001 Flora Street, Dallas, Texas
Hours: 11am–5pm Wednesday–Sunday; closed Monday–Tuesday
Pricing: $10 adults; free for children under 12
Contact: Call 214/242-5100 or email Isabel Lee-Rosson, Manager of Visitor Experiences at ileerosson@nashersculpturecenter.org
Learn more: nashersculpturecenter.org
Six Flags Over Texas
This Six Flags amusement park in Arlington, which is also a Certified Autism Center, offers its IBCCES Accessibility Card (IAC), a free resource that helps streamline accommodation requests for guests with autism or any type of cognitive disorder or physical impairment, who cannot stand in line for an extended period—which we all know can be quite lengthy.
To get your card, visit accessibilitycard.org to apply for the card at least 48 hours before your visit to Six Flags. You’ll need to get a doctor’s note (read more about the ADA guidelines here) but the card covers up to three companions and is valid for an entire year.
Then when you arrive at Six Flags, stop by the Ride Information Center, pull up your IAC card digitally through the app or printed, and you’ll receive an Attractions Access Pass. While flashing this pass to park staff does not allow you to skip ahead in line, it does prevent you from having to wait in the line itself.
Here’s how it works: Approach each ride or attraction through the alternate entrance (for many rides, that’s the exit), show the attendant your Attractions Access Pass and essentially make a reservation that’s comparable to the ride’s wait time. Once you’ve made that reservation, you’re free to head elsewhere around the park, grab a bite to eat, or rest in a more comfortable spot—just be back in time for your ride reservation. There’s also a 15-minute grace period if you’re running late. Read more details here under “Attraction Accessibility Program.” Note that Six Flags Hurricane Harbor does not currently offer this pass.
Not sure which rides your sensory-sensitive kid is ready for? Browse through this PDF, and look for the IBCCES Sensory Guide, which rates each ride for its level of intensity for touch, taste, sound, smell and sight. This guide also gives a detailed description of what to expect on each ride so, if you choose to plan out your trip to a T, you can better determine beforehand whether a particular ride will be most comfortable for your child.
Location: 2201 Road to Six Flags, Arlington, Texas
Hours: For the 2023 season, Six Flags reopens weekends in April and daily in May. Open at 11am until, depending on the day, either 7, 8 or 9pm.
Pricing: Book your tickets online for discounts on admission.
Contact: Reach out to IBCCES by calling 877/717-6543 or emailing customersupport@ibcces.org or to Six Flags via 817/640-8900 or live chatting with a guest relations rep.
Learn more: sixflags.com/overtexas
Top photo courtesy of Fort Worth Zoo. Pictured: Children brushing a goat in the Toyota Children’s Ranch and Petting Corral during the zoo’s previous Sensory-Friendly Day.
