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Sensory Friendly Events for Fall

Sensory Family Experiences for everyone this October!

By Alicia Amburgey, Columbus Mom September 29, 2023

🎃Halloween Spooktacular

Sensory Friendly Time at the Halloween Spooktacular in Coffman Park.
On Friday, October 20, 2023 from 1 until 1:30 p.m., there will be minimal lights, sounds and a smaller crowd for guest with special sensory needs

Halloween Spooktacular offers a wide range of activities suitable for all ages, including Trunk or Treat, crafts, hay maze, games and live performances. Spooktacular has become a Halloween tradition in the Dublin community.

The fun happens at the south end of Coffman Park (near East and West Shelter Houses and Tennis Courts). All activities will be outdoors, in the park. There are no activities in the Dublin Community Recreation Center.

Date: October 20, 2023
Location: Coffman Park
5200 Emerald Park Way | Dublin, Ohio 43017
Time: 1:00 pm - 1:30pm
More Information Here


QUIET HOURS WITH HALLOWEEN CHARACTER EXPERIENCES AT THE COLUMBUS ZOO

The Columbus Zoo Family of Parks is offering “quiet hours” and sensory-friendly events throughout the season for families to experience fall at the Zoo, in a calm and relaxed atmosphere, that can normally be challenging for individuals with sensory needs.

  • Fall Quiet Hours are October 1st from 10 am – 5 pm
  • Sensory-Friendly Halloween Character Meet and Treat Experiences will be October 1st from 10 am – 2 pm

You can request a sensory bag from Guest Relations during your visit! A refundable deposit of $10 is required per bag. Bags must be returned to Guest Relations at the end of each visit to redeem your deposit, and are sanitized before the next use. Bags include: noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses, fidgets, visual cue card and KultureCity VIP lanyard. You can read more here.

Date: October 1, 2023
Location: Columbus Zoo
4850 W Powell Road | Powell, Ohio 43065
Time: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
More Information Here


HALLOWEEN HOP WITH COLUMBUS SPEECH AND HEARING

Halloween Hop is a sensory-friendly Halloween experience for those children who need it most. Halloween Hop is an event created 8 years ago by the the Speech Language Pathologists at Columbus Speech & Hearing (CSH) to educate families with children who have special needs. Informing the community on ways to provide speech-language enhancing strategies and sensory support within a safe, fun Halloween event. This Halloween experience eliminates scary decorations, and minimizes challenges that children with special needs often face while encouraging participation at each child’s own level and pace. This event is open to all ages! 

This is a FREE Sensory-friendly Halloween experience.

Date: October 28, 2023
COhatch Easton, Columbus, Ohio 43219
Time: 11am - 2pm
More Information Here register HERE *This event is FREE, but you must register to attend*


EXTRAORDINARY DAYS AT LYND CORN MAZE

Extraordinary Days are designed for kids of any age, who might have autism, down syndrome, disabilities or any other factor that can appreciate extra nice, caring staff, and fun, appropriate activities.
Extraordinary Days include:

  • Guided Gnomesville Mini Maze tours
  • Barrel Train rides for 80 lbs and under (whenever possible)
  • Inclusive play equipment
  • Bouncing fun
  • Wagon rides (wheelchair ramp)

Date: September 19 and October 12 from 4-7pm | Sept 21 and Oct 17 from 9:30am - 1:30pm (class friendly)
9851 Morse Road, Pataskala. Look for the 2-story tower, directly east of the farm market.
Cost: Tickets are $11 for Extraordinary Friends and Siblings and free for parents and care givers (on Extraordinary Days only). Purchase on site.
More Information Here


COSI SENSORY BAGS

COSI Sensory Bags are a FREE resource for kids and adults with sensory needs to improve their COSI experience. The Sensory Bags provide tools that can support processing and coping skills including: Noise cancelling headphones, visual schedules, fidgets and bubbles.
The items in the Sensory Bags are sanitized after each use.

Please stop by their Guest Services Desk with a photo ID to checkout a Sensory Bag and return it to the desk at the end of your visit.

More Information here


SENSORY-FRIENDLY PUMPKIN PARADE AT UPPER ARLINGTON LIBRARY

A sensory-friendly Pumpkin Parade event, before the general public can enter the library. Come dressed in costume for a silly (and a little spooky) storytime.

During this program, participants can expect:

  • Smaller crowds.
  • Access to the program space. The rest of the library will open at 1 pm 
  • Limited number of fidgets available at the program entrance.
  • Access to a quiet break area. 

Date: October 29, 2023
2800 Tremont Rd, Upper Arlington, OH 43221
Time: 11:30am – 12:30pm
More Information Here, Registration is required to participate.


THE HAUNTED WOODS AT SHAWNEE HILLS- COME SCARE FOR GOOD!

CANCELLED in 2023

The Haunted Woods of Shawnee Hills is open every Friday and Saturday from October 14 - October 29 from 7pm - 10pm
Sensory friendly/minimally scary sessions are from 6pm - 7pm every Saturday night! 

All ticket proceeds for this event benefit Adaptive Sports Connection and their work providing therapeutic recreation to veterans, adults, and children with disabilities.