4 Fun, Sensory-Friendly Things to Do with Kids This Month

If you’re parenting a kid with autism, you already know that autism awareness isn’t something families think about just one day or one month a year. It’s everyday life. But April has special meaning. In the U.S., it’s Autism Acceptance Month, designed to promote inclusivity and understanding. And the good news? More spaces are starting to get it. Here are four standout experiences where children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families can feel seen, supported, and celebrated this month and beyond. 

Live performance, minus the overwhelm: Throughout April, a range of sensory-friendly shows make music, dance, and theater more accessible for kids throughout the U.S.

At Lincoln Center in New York, the annual Big Umbrella Festival (April 10–26) brings two weeks of relaxed performances — from ballet and orchestra to immersive, interactive works — to neurodivergent audiences. Highlights include 12 showings of Barrowland Ballet’s The Unexpected Gift, which welcomes exchanges between performers and the audience; AXIS Dance Company’s Patterns (April 17–18), featuring disabled, non-disabled, deaf, and neurodiverse performers; and Antarctica! Crew Wanted (April 17–26), a sensory-rich theatrical journey for kids 6+.

And for a Broadway moment, an autism-friendly performance of Buena Vista Social Club (for ages 8+) debuts on April 19, with adjusted lighting and sound. Best of all, these inclusive performances are offered year-round — not just in April.

For kids who want to get in on the action themselves, the Chicago Children’s Museum will offer Storyhoppers, an interactive drama class for kids age 4–7 on the autism spectrum, and a Puppetry workshop for those aged 10–15. Both start in April and run through May. 

The San Francisco Chamber orchestra will showcase its third Sensory-Friendly Family concert on April 18, designed for the neurodivergent community. The concert features a string quartet playing at a “pleasant volume” without any “sudden loud sounds.” There also will be fidget toys and hands-on activities available. 

Check the schedules of your local performance spaces for what your family might be able to attend.

Get Mario and Luigi in on the fun with a sensory-friendly screening of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie on April 11 at AMC Theaters or Regal Cinemas. Both chains offer adjusted screenings with lights up and sound down, while AMC promises no trailers, and Regal notes guests will have total freedom to move, sing, or dance. AMC hosts these events for families on the second and fourth Saturdays each month, while Regal’s My Way Matinee runs on select Saturdays, so the experience goes well beyond April. Bonus: Regal Crown Club members can bring a friend for free to see Super Mario Galaxy Movie at select screenings.

On April 26 — as well as the first Sunday of every month — participating Chuck E. Cheese locations nationwide host Sensory-Sensitive Sundays. Doors open early, lights are dimmed, sound is lowered, and trained staff create a calmer, more inclusive experience for kids with autism. 

Museums across the country are leaning into Autism Acceptance Month with sensory-friendly programming — and many offer it year-round. Here are a few standout options where you can expect early-access hours, smaller groups, and hands-on experiences.

In New York City, the American Museum of Natural History continues its monthly Discovery Squad Tours (April 18) offering guided, before-hours access plus free play in the Discovery Room, along with sensory rooms, guides, and take-home kits. Philly’s National Constitution Center (April 19) opens early for a sensory-friendly morning (think: calm lighting, quiet spaces, and an afternoon watercolor workshop tailored to those with ASD to round out the day). NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale hosts a Sensory Saturday (April 11) with low lighting, reduced noise, and supportive tools, while Children’s Museum Houston (April 13) and its sister location Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center (April 20) offer immersive, low-stimulation days complete with quiet rooms and guided activities.

Throughout all of these cultural spaces, dimmed lights, softer sounds, flexible pacing, and designated quiet rooms make these museums more welcoming for all.