FAMILY FUN
Sensory-Friendly Experiences
for Kids in the DMV
Movies Select AMC Theatres
Movies can transport children to another
world, but they can be overwhelming to the
senses. Select AMC Theatres in Washington,
Maryland and Virginia host sensory-friendly
movie showings where lights are turned up
and the sound is turned down. During these
screenings, it’s OK to get up and walk or sing
along. Catch AMC’s Sensory-Friendly Film
program on the second and fourth Saturday
of each month. On these days, one showing
of the biggest hits supports family-friendly,
sensory-friendly screenings. Check your local
theater for showtimes.

amctheatres.com Museums
B&O Railroad Museum
Select Sundays at the B&O Railroad Museum in
Baltimore are designated as Sensory Sundays.

During these visits, the museum features a
special sensory activity, such as making Snow
Dough, and sensory-friendly tours and train
rides. During Sensory Sundays, the museum
turns off all music, provides low lighting and
designates quiet areas. Museum staff also
provide sensory kits and a community table
with resources from local organizations.

The museum presents several stories about
the museum and train rides to prepare young
engineers for their visit.

901 W. Pratt St., Baltimore | 410-752-2490
borail.org National Children’s Museum
Young visitors who need extra support can
borrow a sensory backpack. The backpack
includes noise-reduction headphones and
fidgets to help ease sensory stimulation. This
museum also has two specially designed quiet
spaces. Parents can find the Quiet Room
and the Hideaway Tree nook space featuring
acoustic-absorbing materials and lower light
levels. The museum plans on introducing
sensory-focused sessions in the future.

1300 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, D.C.

202-844-2486 | nationalchildrensmuseum.org
Theaters Imagination Stage
Imagination Stage excels at making sure
ARTECHOUSE ARTECHOUSE DC is where art and technology
combine. Its highly immersive and interactive exhibits
are other-worldly. Many children love the sensory
experience of visiting ARTECHOUSE DC, but a visit
can seem overwhelming for some visitors. To ensure
exhibits are accessible to everyone, ARTEHOUSE DC
hosts sensory-friendly sessions. Before visiting, guests
can review a Social Narrative, view a First Person
Exhibition Video featuring live sound and check out
an Exhibition Experience Map. During its Sensory-
Friendly Programs, ARTECHOUSE DC lowers the
sound in the Immersion Gallery and provides a
“take-a-break” space for those who need to rest from
the experience.

1238 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, D.C.

https://artechouse.com/plan-your-visit-dc/?locations=dc 24 Washington FAMILY JULY 2022
all families feel welcome and can enjoy the
theater. Select performances are modified
to make them welcoming to kids who need
sensory support. Accommodations start
before the show begins with a pre-visit social
story so that kids know what to expect once
they arrive. During the show, the sound level
and brightness of the stage lights are reduced,
staff raise glow sticks before something
surprising happens on stage and quiet areas
are available for anyone who needs a break.

4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda | 301-961-6060
imaginationstage.org The Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center offers sensory-friendly
performances for many of its shows. The
organization’s website offers several
resources for areas to prepare children for
their visit. These resources include social
stories, a virtual tour of the building and
maps with designated quiet spaces. During
the show, guests may talk and move around,
strobe lighting is reduced, lights are kept on
and sounds are quieter than a typical per-
formance. Kennedy Center staff are trained
to assist families who need extra support.

2700 F St. NW, Washington, D.C. | 800-444-1324
| kennedy-center.org n
COURTESY OF THE ARTECHOUSE/TEAM RYKOV
K ids with sensory sensitivities enjoy
going to museums, plays and events
like their neurotypical peers. However,
they may need some modifications to make
the experiences accessible for them.

BY JAMIE DAVIS SMITH