Updates and additional content by Kate Hagan Gallup
Sensory concerns don’t limit a child’s desire to play — and it shouldn’t limit their ability to do so either. Sensory special kids are often more aware of lights, sounds, crowds and colors than other children. In play, this means these same kiddos are looking for experiences that “turn down the volume” of these environmental factors, and let the focus be on fun instead. Check out these special spots for fun indoor play.
Indoor Play Spaces
Kids Club Fun & Fitness
On Mellow Mornings, kids can enjoy Kids Club Fun & Fitness in Vancouver without music blasting as well the Ballocity compressors. Children will love the slides, a giant ball room, suspension bridge, roller tubes, ball swings and an interactive light space floor. They also offer camps and swim, gymnastics and dance lessons.
If You Go
Location: 13914 NW 3rd Ct., Vancouver
Hours: Mellow Mornings Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9 am-12 pm in the “Jungle”
Cost: 3-12 years $15.99 plus tax; walkers-2 years: $7.99 plus tax; non-walkers: free (pass options also available)
Outdoors In
Sensory Sensitive indoor play with pulled shades, dimmed lights, no noisy toys and library voices. Get the wiggles out weekly on this indoor play structure in Hillsboro. Kiddos will love the 16-foot bouldering wall, plus the variety of toys and games.
If You Go
Location: 124 E Main Street, Hillsboro (The entrance is located on the Civic Center Plaza.)
Hours: Mondays, 1:30-4:30 pm and Tuesdays, 9 am-12 pm
Cost: $4 for Hillsboro residents; $6 for nonresidents (five- and 10-visit punch cards are also available)
Storytimes
Enjoy a special storytime at your local public library — online or in person — designed for kids on the autism spectrum or with other sensory processing difficulties. All storytimes below are free!
If You Go
Multnomah County Libraries: Check for preschool sensory story times both online and in-person at multiple locations.
Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries: Second Saturdays at 10:30-11:30 am for kids ages 3-9.
Washington County Cooperative Library Services. Enjoy inclusive storytime Friday in English, or during bilingual events on Fridays at different Hillsboro locations, or check out Tuesday sensory-friendly homework help events.
Activities
Chuck E. Cheese
Sensory Sensitive Sundays offers dimmed lighting, quieter dining, and a specially trained staff the first Sunday of each month in Beaverton (as well as the Salem location). The arcade and games restaurant opens two hours early giving families a fun way to start the day. Even better, sensory holidays such as Halloween are offered seasonally. (Note, the Vancouver location is no longer listed as a participating location for Sensory Sensitive Sundays.)
If You Go
Locations: Beaverton: 4145 SW 110th Ave.
Hours: 9-11 am, the first Sunday of each month
Cost: free admission; but playing games requires tickets
Sensory Friendly Movies
During Regal’s My Way Matinee, movie goers can see the latest flicks in a safe, welcoming space. These matinees are shown with the lights turned up and the volume turned down, allowing kids to move around, talk, sing and more.
Pro tip: Want even more theater experiences for your kiddos? Portland Center Stage, Northwest Children’s Theater and The Reser offer sensory friendly family performances.
If you Go
Locations: Regal Bridgeport Village in Tigard (7329 SW Bridgeport Rd.) and Regal Vancouver Plaza (7800 NE Fourth Plan Blvd.)
Hours: Sensory friendly screenings happen on the first show of the day on select Saturdays each month.
Oaks Amusement Park
Oaks Park offers a sensory-sensitive skate time during the Wednesday preschool skate session. This is the only skate session where shoes and strollers are allowed on the rink, and the arcade is closed to reduce background noise. Sensory skate is open to kids 10 and under.
If You Go
Location: 7805 SE Oaks Park Way
Hours: Wednesdays 10-11:30am
Admission: $13
Gyms
GroWild Boutique Playroom
A new addition to the list, GroWild is part therapy gym, part neuroinclusive playspace with a sensory-motor gym. Rather than a neurotypical play space that sets aside sensory time, GroWild is a neurodivergent play zone that’s happy to include everyone else, too, with design informed by occupational therapy and sensory integration learning. Best for ages 5+. Pro tip: Remember to reserve online, no drop ins.
If You Go
Location: 6923 NW Friberg-Strunk St. STE 110, Camas, WA
Hours: Open Gym Weekdays 5-9pm by Reservation
Cost: $15, plus tax for one child and their parent or caregiver
Oregon Gymnastics Academy
Adaptive Gymnastics and Adaptive open play is designed for families of children with sensory processing disorders. The program promote sensory integration while children can bounce, jump and climb.
If You Go
Location: 16305 NW Bethany Ct. Suite 109, Beaverton
Hours: Sundays from 2:45-3:30 pm
Cost: $8 for Oregon Gymnastic Academy members, $10 for non-members (weekly private and semi-private adaptive lessons are also available)
Spectra Gymnastics
Programs include gymnastics and ninja programs, preschool and tutoring, summer camps and additional services such as speech therapy and Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy. Parent support and coaching are also available.
If You Go
Location: 11959 SW Garden Place
Cost: Dependent on program; monthly enrollment
St. John’s Community Center
Head to the gym for sensory-friendly open play for kiddos ages 6 months to 3 years on Mondays and Fridays from 10 am to noon.
If You Go
Location: 8427 N Central Street
Cost: $1 per child
Swimming Pools
Zen Penguin Swim School
Offering specialized sensory-friendly swim lessons for the autistic, ADHD, and neurodivergent community, inclusiveness is a priority here. Kiddos can participate in group or one-on-one lessons in this 93-degree private pool.
If You Go
Location: The Puddle (12029 NE Ainsworth Circle, Suite 100,) and The Pond (coming soon to Clackamas)
Cost: Varies
SafeSplash Swim School
Enroll your child in swim lessons at in the Hollywood neighborhood or in Hillsboro. Classes are designed for swimmers of all abilities. There’s also SafeSplash adaptive swim lessons are designed for swimmers with physical, sensory or developmental challenges.