8 minute read
Local Events
BY CHRISTIA WOODFORD
NOTE:
Don’t forget to apply for the Access Pass! The Access Pass program allows qualifying families to visit The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and participating locations for $5 per family member, per visit, for up to two adults and all dependent youths in the household. Eligible families must receive one of the following:
• Hoosier Healthwise Insurance (Indiana’s health care program for low-income families, pregnant women and children)
• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
• TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
• Apply at: https://www.childrensmuseum. org/visit/hours/access-pass
Museums
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
Museum My Way An adaptive museum experience
Oct. 14, Dec. 9,
This special event is an opportunity for visitors with disabilities and/or sensory sensitivities to experience the museum in a new way. Families and groups of all abilities are welcome to play and learn together!
Limited capacity
Quiet area with sensory items.
Some music is turned down or off.
Edited lighting effects in some areas.
Tickets go on sale 6 weeks before events. https://www.childrensmuseum.org/museum-my-way
First Thursday Night- First Thursday every monthAug. 7, 4:00 pm
On the first Thursday of every month, we open our doors from 4–8 p.m. for just $6 admission per person! Why should you visit?
Admission is just $6 per person for the entire museum. That’s a savings of more than 75% per ticket!
It’s the ONLY time the museum is open to the public in the evening, so it’s a perfect after-hours night for your family.
It’s not as crowded as you might think! We have limited capacity on First Thursday Nights.
Parking is always free!
Our Food Court is open, so you can grab a quick and easy dinner for the whole family. Low cost. Low crowds. Late night play! https://www.childrensmuseum.org/visit/calendar/event/273
Various Events scheduled through the month Opens at 10 AM
3000 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208, 317-334-4000
https://www.childrensmuseum.org
Conner Prairie — Indiana’s Living History Museum
Sensory-Friendly Hours
Aug.10, 10:00 am to Noon
The second Sunday of every month, from 10 AM to noon, are sensory-friendly hours at Conner Prairie! Enjoy a calm environment.
Check-in with Guest Relations, stating that you are here for sensory-friendly hours. You will get free admission and may stay as long as you wish.
Various Events scheduled through the month
10:00 am- 10:00 pm
13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038. Phone: 317-776-6000 or 800-966-1836 https://www.connerprairie.org/events/list
Indiana State Museum
Sensory Friendly Afternoon check website for date and time
650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204
Experience the Indiana State Museum in a sensory-friendly way. Each month, the museum lowers the lights and reduces distractions to create a welcoming environment for children and adults with sensory processing differences.
Guests can enjoy interactive learning in a comfortable, accepting setting. Social narratives are available at the ticket counter, and sensory-based activities are spaced throughout the museum. Sensory Bags are also available to enhance your visit.
Check the calendar for upcoming dates and various events through the month: https://www.indianamuseum.org/calendar/
Family Fun
Sensory Sensitive Saturdays at Smiley Indoor Play
Aug. 2 and Aug.16, 9 am , 11:00 am
5729 E. 86th St., Indianapolis, IN 46250
Smiley Indoor Playground in Indianapolis offers Sensory Sensitive Saturdays, a special playtime for children with sensory sensitivities, autism, or other special needs. Held on the first and third Saturday of each month
During Sensory Sensitive Saturdays, several adjustments are made to create a more soothing experience:Reduced Sensory Stimuli – Music, certain lights, and air compressor guns will be disabled or set to minimal levels.Play Areas Open – All play areas inside the facility will be available, except for the arcade.
https://www.smileyindianapolis.com/
Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation Adaptive Sensory-Friendly Swim
August 12, 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Monon Community Center 1235 Central Park Drive East, Carmel, IN 46032
The Waterpark can be overwhelming and overstimulating, so we have a solution for you. Join us for an inclusive evening at The Waterpark—free of distractions and designed for individuals with disabilities.
Music will be turned off, the concession stand will be closed, and your family can focus on enjoying the experience. The main activity pool, slides and lazy river will be open for swimming, playing and interacting with others.
Cost: $22 per family (only one registration per family required)Pre-registration required.To register, email: ksolares@carmelclayparks.com or visit carmelclayparks.com
Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation Adaptive Open Flow
Every Monday and Tuesdays August 1 through August 25, 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Monon Community Center, 1235 Central Park Drive East,Carmel, IN 46032
Catch a wave on Indiana’s only surf simulator!
The FlowRider® offers an alternative board sport experience that combines elements of surfing, bodyboarding and wakeboarding. Trained staff can adapt instruction to help anyone ride the wave—no matter their ability level.
Details:
Must be at least 48 inches tall to ride and 52 inches tall to stand.
Cost: $13 per session
For more information, contact ksolares@carmelclayparks.com or visit carmelclayparks.com.
Tangram Social Clubs
5155 Pennwood Drive,Indianapolis, IN 46205
Tangram offers a variety of social clubs for everyone to enjoy! Whether you're into games, books, or advocacy, there's something for everyone—and it’s all free!
Bingo - 1st & 3rd Mondays at 6PM: Play a classic game of bingo and connect with friends!
Self Advocates - 3rd Thursday at 6-7PM: Discuss self-advocacy topics and empower yourself with like-minded peers.
Game Night - 3rd Tuesday at 6PM: Card games, board games, and more! Feel free to bring your favorites too!
Book Club - 2nd & 4th Mondays at 6PM: Read and discuss books with a fresh pick each quarter!
Check out the schedule below and join us for some fun, learning, and great conversations. We can’t wait to see you there! For more information about Tangram's clubs, please email jrice@thetangramway.org.
#TangramClubs #CommunityConnection #InclusiveFun #JoinUs #TheTangramWay
Sensory Friendly Play at Urban Air Noblesville
July 6, 9:00 am- 11:00 am
14450 Mundy Dr, Noblesville, IN 46060
Urban Air’s Sensory Friendly Play day is typically held on the first Sunday of the month. Check the Noblesville calendar for the latest info. https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/embed?src=hi8j9brk94jgnc71kmslc13js8@group.calendar.google.com
Sky Zone South Sensory Play
August 4, 5:00 pm- 7:00 pm Every first Monday of the month
Sensory Fun Fridays runs every Friday from 9:00 am-10:00 am.
4150 Kildeer Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46237
Jump and socialize in a comfortable, friendly environment. Enjoy the freedom of jumping. Sensory hours provide a quieter, toned-down jumping experience for those with special needs.
https://www.skyzone.com/programs/sensory-hours/
Indianapolis Zoo
Various events scheduled daily through the month
1200 West Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46222
https://www.indianapoliszoo.com/
AMC Theatres
Check website for location, date and times.
AMC is proud to partner with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where we turn the lights up, and turn the sound down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing! Our Sensory Friendly Film program is available on the second and fourth Saturday (family-friendly) and Wednesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month.
Please check your local theatre listings for specific showtimes, and don't forget to share your family fun with #AMCSensoryFriendly. https://www.amctheatres.com/programs/sensory-friendly-films
The Arts
Beef and Boards
Waitress
July 17 through August 31
9301 Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46268
https://beefandboards.com/Online/default.asp
Jubilate Choir
Butler University, Lilly Hall, Room 133
Thursdays, 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM
The Jubilate Choir is for singers with special needs in grades 3-9. Singers with varying abilities meet each week to grow musically. This tuition-free choir focuses on proper singing techniques, music theory and sight-reading, part-singing, and social skills involved in being a member of a musical ensemble.
Though Jubilate has, at its core, the same goals as other choirs in the Indianapolis Children's Choir (ICC), singers in Jubilate engage in additional activities like visual and tactile experiences that are catered specifically to the current members of the choir.
Director: Lauren Southard
For more information, contact Lauren Southard at
317-940-8065 or lsouthar@icchoir.org. https://icchoir.org/special-needs/
Gigi’s Playhouse
Various classes during the week.
5909 E. 86th St., Indianapolis, IN 46250 317-288-8235
indy@gigisplayhouse.org https://gigisplayhouse.org/indianapolis/sfcalendar/
Events
Disability Days Hosted by Science Central
Aug. 12, 9:00 am, 11:00 am and 1:00 pm sessions
Science Central 1950 N. Clinton St., Fort Wayne, IN 46805
To register: https://www.sciencecentral.org/explore/our-programs/disability-days/
Disability Days is our program for people with developmental, intellectual, and emotional disabilities. Sessions are free to attend for those individuals, along with their caregivers.
Sessions feature these modifications:
Lower ambient sound levels
Increased light in areas that are usually dark
Access to listening devices
Less-crowded environment (Tuesday sessions)
Extra staff on hand
Access to a sensory room
Access to a private changing table
Additional demonstrations with extra tactile stimulation
Ask The Arc Webinars Series
August 14, 6:00 pm- 7:00 pm
Our Ask The Arc webinar series will provide information and discussion on timely topics relevant to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and their support systems.
Webinars take place on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 6:00 p.m. EST. Past webinars will be recorded and posted to view on your own schedule in The Arc of Indiana Academy and on our YouTube channel.
Registration is for the complete webinar series. You can pick and choose which ones you want to attend without having to register each time. https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hTnwxka_S--MknIpiQoNrA#/registration
Sibshops
Aug. 22, 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Shirley Brothers Irving Hill Chapel, 5377 East Washington Street ,Indianapolis, IN 46219
Sibshops for Siblings of Kids with Developmental Needs and/or Special Health Concerns includes, but is not limited to: diabetes, cancer, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, heart, kidney, liver, gastrointestinal or lung disease; autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, ADHD, and spina bifida.
To register: https://www.creativepathwaysindy.org/sibshops/
Disability Empowerment Unconference: Nothing About Us Without Us!
Aug. 27 through Aug.31
JW Marriott Indianapolis, 10 S. West St., Indianapolis, IN
The Unconference will be held in Indianapolis from 6pm Wednesday August 27th, 2025, until approximately noon on Sunday, August 31st, 2025. Applicants must be adult (18+) Indiana Residents who self-identify as a Person with a Disability. Unconference themes are Disability History, Culture, Rights, Advocacy, & Community Engagement with the goal of growing advocates and leaders in Indiana's Disability Community. Applicants will be contacted by Jeremy Warriner with Walking Spirit to schedule interviews throughout May & June.
To Register:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe4TN1u0OvoLrld3WgUl0Ua7npJf_fEJEkWrLAiEx5zC0_jYg/viewform
