9 minute read
Local Events
BY CHRISTIA WOODFORD
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
July 15, 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 monthJuly 3, 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
July 1 through July 31, 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
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
July 1 through July 31, 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
July 27, 3:00 pm- 6:00 pm
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: indianamuseum.org/calendar
Various events
July 1 through July 31, check website for events and times.
https://www.indianamuseum.org/calendar/
Family Fun
Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation Adaptive Sensory-Friendly Swim
July 1, 15, 29 and August 12, 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Monon Community Center1235 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 beginning July 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
July 7, 5:00 pm- 7:00 pm Every month first Monday of the month
Sensory Fun Fridays runs every Friday from 9:00am-10:00am.
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.
July 1 through July 31
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
The Little Mermaid
May 22- July 13
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
Ask The Arc Webinars Series
July 10, 6:00pm- 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
DSI Annual Summer Picnic sponsored by FitzMark Yee Haw! Yer Invited!
July 12, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Mulberry Fields Park and Splash Pad —Shelter B and C, 9645 Whitestown Rd, Zionsville, IN 46077
Please bring your own lawn chairs or blankets as picnic table seating will be very limited!
Register today at: https://forms.office.com/r/vqrFwtSikp
Hendricks County 4-H Fair Disability Inclusion Day
July 16, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Hendricks County Fairgrounds, 1900 E Main St, Danville, IN 46122
Planned activities for our families include:FREE parking! & FREE entrance to the fair for the entire family!Day camps for special needs welcome!FREE gift for the first 200 participants to visit the check-in booth.Quiet room for those who need a calming space throughout the day.Large sensory room for those who need a break from the outdoors, filled with STEM activities.Sound quieting earwear available upon request.FREE carnival rides (2 hrs in the afternoon) with wristband at check-in; minimal lights / sounds and rides are slowed. Drew Expositions has accessible, inclusive information available upon request.FREE entertainment shows specially designed for our participants. (Sound down, shorter length outdoor)FREE Foam Party (2 hrs in the afternoon) ONLY for our participants! Closed to the general public.Vendor Hall (that’s you!) open ONLY to our participants 10-12 and then open to the public 12pm-9pm. You are only required to stay until 4pm.General 4-H animal shows.Hands-on 4-H project exploration with dedicated time 10-12 for our participants; closed to the general public. Experience how 4-H accommodates everyone!Ag experience, with up-close animal station.Wheelchair accessible courtesy shuttles. Paved parking near entrance for everyone @ Gate 2.Handicap bathrooms w/ accessible changing table.
The Arc 36th Annual Golf Tournament
July 17, 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Eagle Creek Golf Club, 8802 W. 56th St., Indianapolis, IN 46234
Tournament Check-in: 9:30 amBox Lunch Available: 10:00 amGolf Ball Bounce: 10:45 am
On the morning of our annual golf tournament, July 17, 2025, numbered golf balls will be dropped onto Eagle Creek Golf Course’s front green. The lucky participant whose golf ball lands the closest to the pin wins $1,000! The second closest wins $500, third closest and furthest from the pin wins $250.
Golf Ball Bounce tickets are only $10 each or 13 for $100. Everyone 18 years and older can participate and you do not need to be present to win. Purchase Bounce tickets here: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E334333&id=110
Modified Scramble, Shotgun Start: 11:00 amAwards Reception: 4:00 pmRegister at: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E334333&id=109
Porter County Fair's Special Needs Resource Fair
July 22, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Porter County Fairgrounds & Expo Center, 215 E Division Rd, Valparaiso, IN 46383
Sponsored by Sunshine Community Center NetworkNEW- FREE Special Needs Resource Fair at the Porter County Fair on Special Needs Day!Located in the Park Place Pavilion.For more information: kyle.stowers@sunshinecenter.org
