LOCAL EVENTS

BY CHRISTIA WOODFORD

Visit a Museum through Museums for All

Due to COVID-19, many museums participating in Museums for All have adjusted their hours and ticket purchasing policies. Before visiting a museum, please call or check their website to see if they are open or require advance registrations. Many museums are offering virtual resources—check your local museum’s website for more information.

Through Museums for All, those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) can gain free or reduced admission to more than 1,000 museums throughout the United States simply by presenting their EBT card and a photo ID. Check here for participating museums. https/museums4all.org/

MUSEUMS

Abrams Planetarium Season Of Light

Dec. 1- 17, Fridays & Saturdays 8:00 pm. Sundays 4:00 pm.

Many of the familiar customs that we observe this time of year have an astronomical connection. Our holiday offering explores the traditions that we associate with this special season. https/www. abramsplanetarium.org/ Programs/Public.html

Christmas Constellations

Dec. 1- 17, Sundays 2:30 pm. When we look at the stars, we can play a giant game of

dot-to-dot. We can use our imaginations to come up with amazing things from basic shapes to mythical creatures to our favorite animals. In this show, we will use our imaginations to search through the stars for holiday-themed shapes in the sky. This show is suitable for preschoolers, young elementary-aged children, and their families.

Sensory Friendly Show

Third Sunday of every month at 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 pm 755 Science Road, East Lansing, MI, United States

These shows will run with the lights up, the sound down, and the theater doors open so people can move about as needed. We also provide a place to “chill out” in our lobby. All shows include a live star talk about what is up in the sky that night. We will include a short break between the main show and star talk. Information about what to expect during the show will be provided when you purchase tickets.

Cost: Adults, $5.50, Students and senior citizens, $5.00, Children (age 12 and under), $4.50

Friends of Abrams Planetarium Members, Free Free with Museums For All (with valid EBT, Medicaid, or WIC card and photo ID) https/www. abramsplanetarium.org/ Programs/Sensory.html

Ella Sharp Museum

Cookies With Santa

Dec. 2, 12:00 pm- 3:00 pm $5 per person

Drop into the Ella Sharp Museum as we celebrate the holidays and welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus to the Hillside Farm for some cookies in the Granary! Photos will be taken by the Ella Sharp Museum and sent to families via email for you to enjoy! Be sure to stop in and visit Ella’s Holiday Market while you’re here. Register: https/ellasharpmuseum. org/classes-and-events/ cookies-with-santa/

Sensory Time

Every Saturday at 9:00 am 3225 4th Street, Jackson, Michigan 49203

During Sensory Friendly Hours, the Ella Sharp Museum will open its galleries at 9 a.m., an hour before the museum opens to the public. Families with members who are neurodiverse, autistic, or have other sensory processing disorders or cognitive disabilities are welcome to visit the museum for a quieter experience in a more controlled environment. Designated quiet zones will allow visitors to decompress and experience the museum at their own pace.

Before each program, families are invited to browse our “pre-visit” materials to help them prepare for their visit including social narratives and maps of our facility. These pre-visit materials are also available

to help families plan for visits that take place outside of program hours and a sensory backpack is available at the front desk for use.

To provide the most sensory-friendly environment possible, we will limit the capacity for these special times to 50 people. https/ ellasharpmuseum.org/ classes-and-events/ sensory-time/

Outdoor Adventure Center

Sensory-Friendly Days

Dec. 3, 10:00 am- 12:00 pm

Outdoor Adventure Center, 1801 Atwater Street, Detroit, Michigan, 48207

The DNR Outdoor Adventure Center welcomes friends and families with sensory processing differences to our sensory-friendly building hours!

Enjoy the opportunity to explore and experience the OAC with building sounds and ambient noises at a lower volume. During your visit, there will be a quiet room with sensory materials available to use. At noon, the building will open to the public, with volumes returning to standard operating levels. All staff are KultureCitycertified to ensure the best possible experience.

Complimentary admission. Dec. 3, join us for a “winter wonderland!”

https/www.michigan.gov/ oac/experience/eventcalendar/2023/12/03/ outdoor-adventure-center--dec-3-sensory-friendly-days

Movie Pizza Night at the Rochester Avon Recreation Authority

Dec. 15, 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm

Rochester Avon Recreation Authority - Messy Room, 500 E. Second St., Rochester, MI 48307

Kids ages 14 and up with special needs enjoy an evening of movies and pizza at this once-monthly event.

Registration required. Event cost: $17/resident, $21/non-resident http/rararecreation.org/ Special-Needs-Recrea tion/Adaptive-Programs

SPORTS

Detroit Red Wings

Dec. 7, 9, 14, 18, 22, 29, 31

Little Caesars Arena, 2645 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201 https/www.nhl.com/redwings

Dec. 17 Broncos Ford Field, 2000 Brush ST, Detroit, MI 48226 https/www.detroitlions.com/

Detroit Pistons

Dec. 2, 11, 13, 21, 26, 30

Little Caesars Arena, 2645 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201 https/www.nba.com/ team/1610612765

FAMILY FUN

Detroit Zoo

Wild Lights

Nov. 24- Jan. 7, 2024 5:00 pm- 10:30 pm

The Detroit Zoo will be aglow for 40 magical nights with more than five million LED lights illuminating trees, buildings and over

280 sculptures throughout the front half of the Zoo. Experience the magic of the Detroit Zoo in winter as you take in the lights, sights and sounds of the season for guests of all ages. Walking https/ wildlights.detroitzoo.org/

Sensory Friendly Evenings

November 3 to 7 p.m. Check the website for the day!

As part of our work to create accessible and welcoming spaces for all, the Detroit Zoo will turn down the music and adjust the lights during special evenings this summer.

Starting in June, the Detroit Zoo is hosting three Sensory Friendly Evenings for guests with different sensory needs. Sensory Friendly Evenings will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 30. During these times, the Zoo and its attractions will be open to all visitors, but special accommodations will be in place to ensure the Zoo can be enjoyed by families and individuals of all abilities. What accommodations can I expect during Sensory Friendly Evenings?

Reduced music volume at gate entry

Reduced volume and adjusted lighting inside the Polk Penguin Conservation Center’s Shackleton experience

Limited effects and adjusted lighting in the 4D Theater

Reduced sound on the BRICKLIVE trail

Altered music on the Carousel

KultureCity sensory bags equipped with noisecanceling headphones, fidget

tools and verbal cue cards will be available to guests who may feel overwhelmed by the environment. Guests can check out the bags at Customer Care and the Park Safety Office. Weighted lap pads and strobe glasses are available upon request. A dedicated sensory room is available for those who may need a quieter and more secure space. Included with Zoo admission | Free for members | No event registration required https/detroitzoo.org/ events/zoo-events/sensoryfriendly-evenings/

International Day of Veterinary Medicine

Dec. 9, 11:00 am- 3:00 pm

Meet the amazing team that keeps the animals who call the Detroit Zoo home healthy! Discover how the animals at the Zoo are cared for and everything that goes into ensuring each species is kept healthy and comfortable.

National Visit the Zoo Day

De. 27, 11:00 am- 3:00 pm

There’s no better day to visit the Zoo! Visit us to learn how the Zoo is the gift that keeps on giving and see animals who are more active in the winter months.

RaRa’s Diner’s Club

Dec. 4, 5:00 pm- 6:30 pm

Locations change each month

On one Monday a month, persons with special needs will be able to enjoy a meal with friends at various local restaurants. Nov. 6 is

Ram’s Horn and Dec. 4 is Olive Garden. Participants will pay for their own meals, beverages and tips at the restaurant. Spots are very limited, so make sure to pre-register early. For ages 14 and up.

http/rararecreation.org/ Special-Needs-Recreation/ Adaptive-Programs

Jingle Bell Ball

Dec. 12, 6:00 pm- 8:00 pm Waterford Oaks Activity Center 2800 Watkins Lake Road, Waterford, MI 48328

Jingle Bell Ball, an event for individuals ages 18 and older with developmental disabilities, will include music, dancing, a visit from Santa and pizza. Each participant will also receive a gift. The cost is $12/ participant and $6/caregiver, Preregistration with payment is required by Friday, Dec. 8. Call 248-858-0916 to register. Call 248-221-8040 for program questions.

https/www.oakgov.com/ Home/Components/ Calendar/Event/2347/720

Paws-itivly SENSORY STORY TIME

Dec. 16 and 19, 10:00 am- 11:00 am Huron Valley Humane Society, 3100 Cherry Hills Road, Ann Arbor, MI

Do you have a young child who loves animals? Then, bring your little ones to HSHV to have a paws-itively fun time!

Sensory Story Time at HSHV is just like our traditional story time but is specifically intended

as a welcoming space for neurodiverse children. Join us one Tuesday every month for interactive stories, sensory play, a tour of the shelter and lots of fun! Sensory Story Time is generally designed for children ages 2-5, but all children are welcome. Pre-registration is required in order to maintain small group sizes. Registration: There is a $5 fee per child for the program. Up to two adults per child may attend free of charge. We will also not charge for siblings under the age of one attending with a registered child. Pre-registration is required and space is limited to 8 children and two caregivers per child. Register here https/www.tickettailor.com/ events/hshv/561606?# Cost: $5

SANTA’S REINDEER FARM

Nov. 18- Dec. 17, 12:00 pm- 4:00 pm Grandpa Tiny’s Farm, 7775 Weiss Street, Frankenmuth, MI

Experience Santa’s Farm during the hustle and bustle of getting ready for the Christmas season! **Lots of Photography Opportunities!**

The farm is on fullon holiday mode for this stroll-through event where you will get to see how Santa has transformed the farm into his headquarters preparing for the big day.

Meet Santa himself along with the reindeer in

training. Bring a letter for Santa if you haven’t already mailed it! Watch and chat with the jolly workers helping to keep Santa’s Farm running smoothly. Included is making an ornament with the Woodworker to take home with you!

Tickets for this event will be available online only and not at the gate. Everyone in attendance needs a ticket for this event other than children aged 5 years old and under because they are free with a ticket holding adult. Get tickets here https/ www.grandpatinys.com/ santas-reindeer-farm

Cost: $17 for ages 5 and up. Under 5 are FREE

Legoland Discovery Center Michigan

Sensory Friendly Mornings

Check the website for upcoming Mornings 4240 Baldwin Rd, Auburn Hills, MI 48326

During Sensory Friendly Mornings, we’ll reduce the lighting, turn off music & disable distracting stimuli for an hour before we open to the general public. This event is perfect for our friends on the autism spectrum.

Sensory sensitive adults are welcome to visit during Sensory Friendly Mornings without a child (age 16 or under) in the party until the attraction opens to the general public at 10 am. Adults who are not accompanied by a child must exit the attraction upon

opening. Groups that are accompanied by a child are welcome to stay past 10 am. Tickets are limited and must be purchased online in advance for this special event. https/www. legolanddiscoverycenter.com/ michigan/tickets-passes/

Sealife Michigan

Sensory Friendly Mornings

Check the website for upcoming mornings

4316 Baldwin Road, Auburn Hills, MI 48326

During Sensory Friendly Mornings, we’ll reduce the lighting, turn off music & disable distracting stimuli for an hour before we open to the general public. This event is perfect for our friends on the autism spectrum. The aquarium will open to the general public with normal lighting, sound, etc. at 10 am, but you’re welcome to stay as long as you like and do not have to leave when the event ends at 10 am. Tickets are limited and must be purchased online in advance for this special event. Please check https/www. visitsealife.com/michigan/ what-s-inside/events/ sensory-friendly-mornings/

MJR Digital Cinema Sensory-Friendly Film

Check the website for movie times

100 East Maple Road, Troy, MI, 48083, United States https/www.mjrtheatres. com/sensory-friendlyfilms?fbclid=IwAR1JnETT-

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EVENTS

IEP: A Closer Look

Dec. 4, 12:00 pm- 1:30 pm Register at tinyurl. com/3e8vkn88

This free, online workshop takes a closer look at the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process. This workshop will help you:

• take a more indepth look at the core areas of the IEP

• prioritize your greatest concerns

•learn how to address those concerns through the IEP process

• improve your ability to have productive conversations

There will also be time set aside to ask questions.

Who should attend? Families with a child or young adult with an IEP or IFSP. Questions? info@ michiganallianceforfamilies.org

Is there a local event for the special needs community you would like us to promote in an upcoming issue? Email us at SpecialNeedsIndy@n2pub.com.