LOCAL EVENTS

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

Sensory Friendly Night! Hosted by ASK of Kent County

Feb. 19, 4:00 pm- 7:00 pm

Grand Rapids Children’s Museum11 Sheldon Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

JOIN US FOR A FUN NIGHT AT THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM JUST FOR US!

The Children’s Museum has set aside Monday evening, February 19, from 4-7 pm, for anyone with sensory challenges.

Admission is free, but registration is required by February 15. No late registrations or at-event registrations will be allowed.

Use the link below by clicking on the words. (You will need to go to the cart, and you WILL receive an email confirmation.) https://www. autismsupportofkentcounty.org/newproducts/p/2024-night-at-the-grchildrens-museum

Abrams Planetarium

Sensory Friendly Shows

Rising Star, A South African Astronomy Journey

Feb. 18, 11:30 a.m.

755 Science Road, East Lansing, MI, United States

Rising Star takes you on an astronomical journey from our beginnings through the development of astronomy research in South Africa and looks at what the future of astronomy holds for the country. In addition to introducing multi-wavelength and multi-messenger astronomy, it highlights the many remarkable facilities hosted in South Africa along with some of their latest results. This includes unrestricted views of the 10-meter class Southern African Large Telescope and the most powerful radio telescope in the Southern Hemisphere, MeerKAT. The film is accessible to all ages and aims

to excite audiences from around the world about South African astronomy while inspiring the next generation of astronomers. As the first of its kind to be produced in Africa, Rising Star hopes to stimulate the production of many more locally produced planetarium films from multidisciplinary fields, with the goal of popularizing Africa’s numerous scientific achievements.

Feb. 18, 1:00 pm

What are we made of? Where did it all come from? Explore the secrets of our cosmic chemistry and our explosive origins. Connect life on Earth to the evolution of the Universe by following the formation of Hydrogen atoms to the synthesis of Carbon, and the molecules for life. Narrated by Andy Serkis. 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 the 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

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 previsit 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/

Sports

Detroit Red Wings

Feb. 10, 22, 24, 27, 29

Little Caesars Arena, 2645 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

https://www.nhl.com/redwings

Detroit Pistons

Feb. 2, 4, 24,26

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

Family Fun

Winter Park At Bowers School Farm

CHARLES L. BOWERS SCHOOL

FARM, 1219 East Square Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills

All visitors are welcome to come and meet our animals, warm up at one of our cozy bonfires, indulge in a variety of comfort foods from the Farm Kitchen, shop the Farm Store for local products and more. New this year is a climbing play area. No charge. Tubing is available for an additional charge. Purchase tickets: https://www. schoolfarm.org/winter-activities

Detroit Zoo

Sensory Friendly Evenings

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

• Limited effects and adjusted lighting in the 4D Theater

• Altered music on the Carousel

KultureCity sensory bags equipped with noise-canceling 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/zooevents/sensory-friendly-evenings/

Together Let’s Sing, Dance and Jam!! Sponsored by MidMichigan Autism Association Feb. 7, 6:30 pm- 7:30 pm

Please join us for our monthly “virtual” music therapy event!!

Please RSVP by December 25 to Cathy Blatnik at blatsie63@yahoo. com with your name, age, contact phone number and e-mail address you would like the Zoom link sent.

Feb. 8 & Feb. 22, 1:00 pm- 2:00 pm

Join us for in-person art classes. Participants will learn new artistic skills using a variety of mediums, such as: acrylic painting, oil pastels, watercolor, and mixed media. Class includes group and individual instruction and meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. In order to promote inclusion for all, we request a maximum of 4 individuals from any one agency. All levels of experience and ability are welcome. This class is limited to ten (10) participants, don’t miss out!

https://autismallianceofmichigan. org/event/rec-it-class-inclusiveart-2/2024-02-08/

Cookies and Valentine’s Day Card Making

Feb. 10, 2:00 pm- 3:00 pm

VILLAGE ARTS FACTORY, 50755 Cherry Hill Road, Suite 10, Canton, MI 48188

Make cookies and create Valentine’s Day cards for your favorite people! A parent, guardian or aide is required to attend with participants at no additional fee.

Register at: https://villageartsfactory. com/events/ Cost is $10.00, which includes materials contact admin@partnershipforarts.org for additional information.

LIVONIA AIR BIG GAME PARTY

Feb. 11, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm

Kirksey Recreation Center15100 Hubbard St, Livonia, MI 48154

Livonia AIR (Adaptive Inclusive Recreation) is our new branch of inclusive recreation programs. We offer events and activities designed for individuals with special needs (ages vary based on the event). The goal is to provide participants the chance to make new friends, find new activities to enjoy, and visit different parts of their community.

Save the date for 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, at the Kirksey Recreation Center. Today is the biggest football game of the year! Join us to celebrate the two teams that make it the furthest and some football-themed activities, snacks, and maybe even laugh at our favorite commercials of the past!

Inclusive Game Night Hosted by Therapeutic Concepts

Feb. 23, 6:00 pm- 7:30 pm

Mound Road, Building D, Sterling Heights, MI 48310

For the whole family focusing on inclusion, safety, and enjoyment! $10 per family, register online at https://therapeuticconceptsllc.com

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.

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.

Tickets are limited and must be purchased online in advance for

this special event. Please check

Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/detroitriver/events?event_date_and_ time=%7B%22from%22:%22202306-15T16:00:00.000Z%22,% 22to%22:null%7D&$skip=10

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=IwAR1JnETT4LqVME0tv0TkWPiYH5lckEcSi4ou3EcdA4eyfbqJYLgmReJ00

Events

SPECIAL NEEDS RESOURCE FAIR

Feb. 27, 3:30 pm- 7:30 pm

The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Dr, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI

The Special Needs Resource Fair is for parents and caregivers looking for support for their neuro-diverse children. Featuring a wide variety of educational, recreational, and occupational resources along with mental health, legal, and government services. To register: https://allevents.in/grosse%20 pointe%20woods/special-needsresource-fair/200025866769528