Sensory-Friendly Activities in Chicago: Autism Resources for Families

Chicago is home to many venues and organizations that prioritize inclusivity and accessibility for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These places offer sensory-friendly hours and programs to make sure children feel comfortable.

‍1. Haircuts

Finding a barber or salon that understands the needs of autistic children can be challenging. Fortunately, Chicago offers several options. Staff at these locations are specially trained to address sensory needs and have experience working with children with developmental differences.

• Hair Base: 3631 W. Devon Ave., Chicago, IL 60659  
• KidSnips: 218 E. Rand Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60004 
• Pigtails and Crewcuts: 2660 Navy Blvd., Glenview, IL 60026 
  

2. Recreational activities

Chicago offers a variety of recreational activities tailored to autistic children. Parks, playgrounds, and indoor play areas feature sensory-friendly equipment and quiet spaces to help children feel comfortable and engaged. Many of these locations also provide resources for parents.

‍Swimming pools

• Chicago Blue Dolphins: 2222 N. Elston Ave., Chicago, IL 60614
  
  • Cost: Classes start as private ($65 per class) and transition to small group classes ($28 to $37.50 per class).
    
• JCC Chicago All-In Swim: 300 Revere Dr., Northbrook, IL 60062
  
  • Cost: $84 to $112 per month, based on one weekly class (varies by group vs. private lessons).
    
• Have Dreams Instructional Swimming: Park Ridge Community Center,1515 W. Touhy Ave., Park Ridge, IL 60068
  
  • Cost: $20 per class; 30-minute sessions on Tuesdays from 4:10 to 5:50 p.m. All ages and levels welcome.
    

Playgrounds‍

These sensory-friendly playgrounds are designed for children with sensory processing challenges. They offer inclusive play equipment like zip lines, swings, wheelchair-accessible spinners, splash pads, and musical instruments.

• Northern Island Park: 521 S. Linn White Dr., Chicago, IL 60605
• Discovery Park Playground: 1825 Short Street, Lisle, IL 60532
• Humboldt Park: 1400 North Sacramento Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622
• Rehm Park: 515 Garfield Street, Oak Park, IL 60304
• Hope D. Wall School Playground: 449 W. New Indian Trail Court, Aurora, IL 60506
• Gregory B. Bott Park: 24550 W. Renwick Road, Plainfield, IL 60544
• SEBA Park: 151 S. Water Street, South Elgin, IL 60177
• Franzen "Play for All" Park: 730 Catalpa Avenue, Itasca, IL 60143
• Harvester Park: 15W400 Harvester Drive, Burr Ridge, IL 60527

3. Entertainment

From theaters to museums, Chicago's entertainment venues frequently host sensory-friendly events and programs tailored for autistic children. These events typically feature reduced lighting and sound for a more relaxed atmosphere. Many venues also provide resources like social stories and visual guides to help children prepare for their visit.

Autism-friendly movie screenings

These cinemas offer sensory-friendly showings with lower sound and dimmed lighting. Children can move around and talk freely, making them a great option for autistic children and those with sensory sensitivities.

• AMC Sensory Friendly Films
• Emagine

Other activities

Several entertainment venues in Chicago, including museums, aquariums, and zoos, offer sensory-friendly hours. These locations provide amenities like headsets, fidgets, and calm spaces to ensure a comfortable visit for all guests.

• Chicago Children’s Museum
• Foss Swim School
• Lincoln Park Zoo
• Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
• Shedd Aquarium
• The Field Museum‍

4. Retail and dining

Shopping and dining out can be overwhelming for autistic children, but Chicago has several retail and dining establishments that offer sensory-friendly environments and trained staff. These businesses provide quiet zones and visual menus to support children with varying communication needs.

‍Sensory-friendly shopping

• Walmart — All store locations: Walmart offers sensory-friendly shopping hours from 8 to 10 a.m. local time every day at all U.S. and Puerto Rico locations. During these hours, TV walls display static images, radios are turned off, and lights are dimmed, creating a more comfortable experience for children with sensory sensitivities.
• Build-A-Bear Workshop at Navy Pier: Build-A-Bear is sensory-friendly for the first hour on the first Tuesday of each month, with minimal lighting and music to create a calm experience for children of all ages.
  

Autism-friendly restaurants

• Brazil Express Grill: Brazil Express Grill (BEG) has partnered with the Autism Hero Project (AHP), becoming the first autism- and sensory-approved restaurant in Chicago. BEG offers quiet dining areas, flexible seating arrangements, and staff trained to understand autism.
• Autism Eats: Founded in 2015, Autism Eats provides nonjudgmental dining experiences for families. It partners with local restaurants to host special-needs nights, adjusting music and lighting to create a welcoming atmosphere for everyone.
  

5. Library Resources

Chicago's libraries are more than places to borrow books. They serve as community hubs with many resources for autistic children and their families. Many libraries offer sensory-friendly reading sessions, adaptive technology, and support groups and workshops for parents focused on child development and special needs parenting. Here are some libraries in the Chicago region that offer valuable resources.

• West Chicago Public Library District: The West Chicago Public Library District offers a volunteer program for high school students with special needs, providing valuable job training. They also host Creating Connections, an event for autistic children and those with sensory differences or difficulty sitting still, every third Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. To help children prepare for their first visit, the library offers a "This Is My Library" social story. Adapted books, Braille books, e-books, and audiovisual materials are also available.
• Warren Newport Public Library: Warren Newport Public Library hosts a monthly Sensory Storytime program featuring sensory objects and schedules created with Boardmaker software, along with an unstructured Sensory Play Time. The library plans to create a "This is My Library" social story and develop a dedicated section of their website for parents and caregivers. They also aim to collaborate with local special education classes for library and class visits.
• Schaumburg Public Library: Schaumburg Public Library offers bimonthly sensory-friendly storytime, playgroups, and puppet shows for children ages 6 and younger and their families. They also host a Read to a Dog program for children ages 6 to 14. The library features a toy lending library with sensory toys and a special needs book collection for parents and caregivers.
• Wilmette Public Library: Wilmette Public Library welcomes patrons of all abilities and offers a range of sensory-friendly supports. Sensory tools and noise-canceling headphones are available for use in the library, visual schedules are used for storytimes and many youth programs, and most programs can be adapted to meet individual needs. Families can also schedule a staff-led tour to learn about programs and resources, and social stories are available to help children know what to expect before their visit.
  

Chicago truly embraces inclusivity and accessibility for autistic children and their families. By exploring these sensory-friendly venues and programs, families can create enriching experiences in a supportive environment. With so many welcoming places to discover, Chicago makes it easier for every autistic child to thrive and enjoy all the city has to offer.

Explore applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy in Illinois

Chicago is doing an amazing job of creating places where every autistic child can play, learn, and explore at their own pace and in their own way. In addition to the many sensory-friendly venues and programs available, families seeking diagnostic support and autism therapy are invited to explore Action Behavior Centers (ABC) in the Windy City.

ABC specializes in ABA therapy, an evidence-based approach for helping autistic children build meaningful skills for everyday life. ABC has multiple locations throughout Chicagoland, including Glenview, Wood Dale, Lombard, and Orland Park.

Check if ABC accepts your insurance.

Contact us today to schedule a tour of a Chicago ABA center near you.