Accessible playgrounds
Based in St. Charles, Unlimited Play has become a leader in designing and building inclusive playgrounds for every child to enjoy with swings, slides and other elements that meet and even exceed ADA requirements. Though it started with just one playground in Lake Saint Louis, Unlimited Play now offers accessible playgrounds throughout the St. Louis area. Dennis and Judith Jones Variety Wonderland in Forest Park offers an accessible playground as well.
Accessible pools
Zero-entry pools and water wheelchairs make swimming pools accessible to those that have trouble with the traditional pool stairs. The Lodge Des Peres and the indoor leisure pool at Center of Clayton provide these amenities. The Webster Groves Recreation Complex has one available upon request at the outdoor registration desk. ADA-compliant lifts are installed at Shaw Park Aquatic Center. The HEIGHTS Indoor Aquatic Center in Richmond Heights features an accessible splash pad and other wheelchair-accessible amenities. Several other area pools offer zero-entry pools and lifts; call ahead for more information and availability.
Performances for children with special needs
To help ensure that all families have an opportunity to experience the beauty of Circus Flora, a local circus that blends European traditions with modern techniques for a captivating performance, this annual circus offers a sensory-friendly performance for those on the autism spectrum. The Saint Louis Ballet offers a "The Nutcracker: A Shorter Tale" as part of its annual presentation of "The Nutcracker." The abridged version is geared to younger children and those with shorter attention spans.
KultureCity, a nationally recognized nonprofit that provides sensory inclusion training and tools to venues and large-scale events, has certified Enterprise Center and Stifel Theatre as sensory inclusive. Both venues have staffed trained to recognize and facilitate guests with sensory needs and offer sensory bags that are equipped with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards and weighted lap pads.
Shine on ICE
Kids ages 17 and under with disabilities can explore ice sports by participating in Shine on ICE, a program that introduces children to activities like ice skating and hockey. Classes meet at the R.P. Lumber Center in Edwardsville, Illinois. To find upcoming classes, visity the City of Edwardsville's online course catalog.
Saint Louis Zoo
The Saint Louis Zoo has earned Sensory Inclusive™ certification through a partnership with KultureCity. Visitors may check out free sensory bags at the north and south zoo entrances. Bags include noise-canceling headphones, fidgets and more. Visitors will also find signage that marks quiet spaces, areas that experience a high level of noise, areas that have intense smells and areas that are exceptionally cold. The zoo's First Bank Sea Lion Show provides audio description for the blind and visually impaired on select dates; visit the Saint Louis Zoo website for more information.
We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym
We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym, with locations in Edwardsville, Illinois, and Fenton, Missouri, is a fun, safe destination that supports children’s physical, social, emotional and neurological growth and development. The gym is equipped with mats and pillows, a zip line, an indoor play structure, suspended equipment with swings and a trampoline. While the equipment is designed for those with sensory-processing disorders, the gym is designed to be a fun place for children of all abilities to play together.
Missouri History Museum
The Missouri History Museum offers a Nursing and Sensory-Friendly Room, where families can enjoy quiet activities and comfortable seating when kids are feeling overstimulated. Note that while nursing is welcome throughout the museum, the room is designed to provide an option for nursing parents who prefer private space. The space is located on the lower level of the museum in the atrium. The Missouri History Museum, Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, and the Library and Research Center also have sensory kits available for free checkout at the welcome desks. The Missouri History Museum has extra kits available for visiting groups upon request. The Missouri Historical Society offers American Sign Language (ASL) tours for visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing and Audio Descriptive tours for visitors who are blind or low vision. The Missouri History Museum also offers audio descriptions for streaming to help children with visual impairments explore the History Clubhouse. Visit the Missouri History Museum website for more information about accessibility.
Six Flags St. Louis
Six Flags St. Louis now offers a Low Sensory Room across from XCalibur. The space is designed to provide an immersive sensory experience where guests of various abilities can engage with their senses in a safe and relaxed environment. Visit the Six Flags St. Louis website for more information about park accessibility.
Accessible outdoor adventures
The Missouri Department of Conservation offers several programs designed to help individuals of all abilities discover nature. Throughout the year, MDC hosts adaptive fishing, photography hikes and other events for those with mobility challenges; upcoming events will be announced on the MDC website. The department also offers motorized track chairs, which provide better access to hunting, fishing, trail rides, fishing programs and wildlife viewing for those with limited mobility. Track chairs are kept offsite, so contact the department 30 days in advance to request use of a track chair. For more information about the specialized track chair program or to reserve one for an organized event at a conservation area, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation website or call the St. Louis Regional Office at 636-441-4554.
Missouri State Parks has added 22 state park trails to the National Audobon Society's Birdability website. The Birdability program is designed to make bird watching accessible to everyone, regardless of disabilities or other health concerns. For more information about accessible bird watching in Missouri State Parks, visit the Missouri State Parks website. Missouri State Parks also offers a detailed online listing of accessibility information for each state park.
KEEN STL
KEEN stands for Kids Enjoy Exercise Now. The group's focus is to provide one-to-one fitness programs free of charge to youth with disabilities. Sports programs, swimming and more are offered throughout the area.
Variety the Children's Charity of St. Louis
Variety the Children's Charity of St. Louis offers camps, theater programs, therapy services and more.
Gateway Disabled Ski Program
Hidden Valley Ski Resort's Gateway Disabled Ski Program (GDSP) provides adaptive snow sports to those with physical, visual, hearing, developmental and cognitive disabilities. The program works to empower athletes through both recreational and competitive opportunities with the help of volunteers, adaptive snow skiing equipment and professional training. For more information, call Hidden Valley Ski Resort at 636-938-5373.
St. Louis Arc Family Center
The St. Louis Arc Family Center works to empower individuals with disabilities. The organization supports families through support groups, Family Fun Nights and other events. Visit the St. Louis Arc Family Center website for more information about upcoming programming.
United Services for Children
In addition to pediatric therapy services, United Services for Children assists families by providing support groups for the siblings of children with disabilities, and classes designed to help parents gain confidence and have more fun while navigating the day-to-day challenges of a young family.
Sensory-friendly movies
B&B Theatres offers sensory-friendly showings for select films. Sensory-friendly showtimes include brighter auditorium lights and lower audio levels. Visit the B&B Theatres website for upcoming showtimes. AMC Theatres also offers sensory-friendly showtimes at its location in Edwardsville, Illinois. During Sensory Friendly Films, lights are turned up, the sound is turned down, and visitors are welcome to get up, walk, dance or even sing.
Looking for even more things to do, including sports and camp opportunities? Get in touch with the Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis for additional support for including your child in recreational activities.
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