Navigating family outings with children who have sensory sensitivities can be a unique challenge, but the greater Charlottesville area offers a variety of inclusive, sensory-friendly spaces and events. Here’s our guide to some of the top sensory-friendly activities in and around Charlottesville to help you create memorable experiences for your entire family. We’d love to expand this list and add more details so please be sure to let us know when you find another great activity!
1. Bennett’s Village
Bennett’s Village is Charlottesville’s first all-abilities playground, located in Pen Park. The play space will cover three acres and will eventually include fully accessible play structures, a sensory garden, a cableway, a water play area, a restroom pavilion, and native landscaping.
Highlights: Inclusive play structures, sensory garden, and accessible treehouse.
Pro Tips: The accessible treehouse is part of Phase One and was completed in late summer 2024.
2. Blossom Play Space
Located in downtown Charlottesville, Blossom Play Space is a creative and inquiry-based environment where children and their caregivers can explore, learn, and grow. The space offers open play sessions, classes, and clubs designed to engage children in a sensory-friendly manner. Blossom offers homemade and small-batch Sensory Bins, Playdough Kits, and Slime to bring the Sensory Play home.
Highlights: Low capacity, open play sessions, play-based classes, afterschool clubs, and special events tailored for various age groups, even parents.
Pro Tips: Check their calendar for upcoming events and open play times. Pre-registration is recommended to ensure a spot.
3. Botanical Garden of the Piedmont
Situated in McIntire Park East, the petite Botanical Garden of the Piedmont offers a serene environment with small loop trails, a free lending library, and a variety of free programs. The garden is designed to be accessible and provides a calming sensory experience amidst nature.
Highlights: Loop trail walks, sensory-friendly programs, and natural landscapes.
Pro Tips: Visit during weekdays for a quieter experience and check their events page for upcoming sensory-friendly programs.
4. Ivy Creek Natural Area & Historic River View Farm
For families seeking an outdoor escape, Ivy Creek offers a sensory-friendly natural environment with gentle trails, bird-watching areas, and calming water views. It’s a great place to explore sights, sounds, and textures in a less stimulating, open environment.
Highlights: Gentle walking trails, abundant wildlife, and natural sensory experiences.
Pro Tips: Early morning visits are recommended for quieter experiences, and headphones can help filter out sounds if needed.
Check out the large map at the main kiosk to let your children choose a trail. Continue from there past the bathroom to the red trail, and down the big hill to get to the local-kid’s favorite spot. Here you’ll find a creek with large rocks to climb and plenty of places to spark imaginative-nature play.
5. Keswick Sensory
Immersive Farm Experience at Keswick Sensory: Offers children with autism the opportunity to interact with horses, goats, sheep, and pigs in a safe, relaxed environment. Sensory-Oriented Activities include a quarter-mile walking trail with natural balance beams, a rock wall, a zipline, and crafts designed to nurture individual strengths and interests.
Pro Tip: Family-centric approach – Plan a family day where everyone can enjoy a day of camaraderie and adventure, appreciating each child’s unique needs.
6. Monticello’s Gardens and Outdoor Spaces
Monticello’s expansive gardens provide a calm and sensory-friendly environment, with nature trails, gardens, and sensory-friendly outdoor spaces. Families can enjoy tactile experiences in the gardens, with access to open space for movement.
Highlights: Open spaces, nature trails, historical sights.
Pro Tips: Consider visiting during off-peak hours for a quieter experience and plan ahead with tickets to avoid wait times.
7. Sensory-Friendly Movie Showings at Regal Stonefield
The Regal Theater at Stonefield hosts sensory-friendly movie showings, where lights are dimmed (but not dark), and the volume is lower, creating a comfortable atmosphere for sensitive viewers.
Highlights: Dimmed lights, lower sound volume, and welcoming environment.
Pro Tips: Arrive a little early to get comfortable in your seats, and don’t hesitate to bring any comfort items your child might need.
8. Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital: Sensory-Friendly Events
Partnering with local organizations, Sentara Martha Jefferson often hosts sensory-friendly events, including family movie nights and quiet play sessions. These events cater to sensory sensitivities by lowering volumes, dimming lights, and creating a comfortable space.
Highlights: Community-focused, with trained staff for sensory needs.
Pro Tips: Follow their event page for updates on upcoming sensory-friendly events and RSVP early as they tend to fill up.
9. Virginia Discovery Museum
Located on Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall, the Virginia Discovery Museum offers various hands-on exhibits and sensory-friendly play spaces. The museum often hosts designated sensory-friendly hours, providing a quieter and more controlled environment.
Highlights: Quiet rooms, low-light areas, and calming sensory experiences.
Pro Tips: Check their calendar for sensory-friendly hours, as these are quieter times with limited attendance.
10. Wildrock
Just a short drive from Charlottesville, Wildrock in Crozet offers nature play designed for all children, including those with sensory sensitivities. Their trails, quiet areas, and natural play spaces provide a therapeutic outdoor experience.
Highlights: Quiet play, sensory trails, and family-friendly natural spaces.
Pro Tips: Visit during their “Quiet Hours” for a more relaxed experience, and bring any sensory tools your child may need to feel comfortable.
11. Ivy House Play Space
Located in Crozet, Ivy House Play Space features soft-play, sensory, gross motor indoor and outdoor play for newborns and toddlers. The soft-play area, ever-changing-theme room, and outdoor spaces are thoughtfully crafted to captivate children aged 0-6 years with enriching, open-ended play experiences.
Highlights: Montessori style changing theme room, soft-play, and outdoor spaces. Small group option to bond with parents and children who are in the same life-stage.
Pro Tips: Check their social media to stay up to date on special events and classes.
Are you feeling ready for a roadtrip?
Here’s a brief guide to popular sensory-friendly attractions and events further afield. No more than 2 hours away, these are some of the most popular and well-executed attractions for families.
Children’s Museum of Richmond
Location: Richmond, VA
Highlights: Sensory-Friendly Nights: Hosted on the third Friday of each month, these evenings offer free admission, dimmed lights, and quieter exhibits.
Cool-Down Spaces: Designated areas are set up to help children relax if they become overwhelmed.
Why Visit: A variety of hands-on activities provide safe, enjoyable engagement for sensory-sensitive kids.
Science Museum of Virginia
Location: Richmond, VA
Highlights: Sensory-Friendly Evenings: These monthly events at the Science Museum include modified exhibits with lower noise levels and adjusted lighting.
Tactile Exhibits: Interactive displays let kids explore at their own pace.
Why Visit: The museum’s efforts create a calm, welcoming space, making science fun and accessible for kids of all abilities.
Virginia Repertory Theatre
Location: Richmond, VA
Highlights: Sensory-Friendly Performances: With adjustments in lighting, sound, and seating, these shows are designed with input from sensory specialists.
Welcoming Atmosphere: Staff are trained to assist families in creating a supportive environment for all.
Why Visit: A live-theater experience tailored to kids with sensory sensitivities encourages a positive experience with the arts.
Frontier Culture Museum
Location: Staunton, VA
Highlights: Outdoor Exploration: Open-air spaces provide a calm environment where kids can explore historic homes and farms.
Hands-On Learning: Staff offer tactile experiences that bring history to life in a gentle, sensory-friendly manner.
Why Visit: This interactive museum is ideal for kids who benefit from outdoor spaces and sensory exploration.
Additional Tips for Parents:
- Bring Sensory Tools: Headphones, sensory-friendly toys, and other items that help your child feel comfortable can be beneficial during outings.
- Plan for Downtime: Schedule short breaks to give your child a chance to reset and unwind.
- Check for Quiet Hours: Many places offer designated hours for sensory-sensitive guests, so be sure to inquire ahead of time.
With these sensory-friendly locations and activities, families in Charlottesville can enjoy memorable experiences that cater to diverse sensory needs. By planning ahead, bringing necessary items, and making use of quiet hours, families can create enriching outings that everyone will enjoy. And, when you are looking for summer programs, you can find many excellent options for sensory-friendly summer camps.
ELIZABETH “TIZZY” GUSS, founder of Blossom Play Space in Charlottesville, Virginia, has a background in early childhood education. Her professional journey includes experience in licensed in-home daycare settings, which inspired the creation of Blossom Play Space—a center dedicated to fostering creativity, inquiry, and exploration in children. Elizabeth’s commitment to child development is evident in the diverse programs offered at Blossom Play Space, including play classes with Reggio-inspired provocations, open play sessions, and after-school programs.
JENNIFER BRYERTON, Ma Ed., our Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, started her career in teaching, Co-founded CharlottesvilleFamily and is a mom of four. A believer in experiential education and an avid gardener, beehives, a fruit and veggie plot, perennial borders and a chicken coop dot the family lawn west of Charlottesville. Jen also enjoys sharing travel, museums, theater performances and nature attractions with her family.