Caroline Talbot Photography
Blue Man Group's annual autism-friendly performance
Summer brings plenty of fun for your family. We’ve rounded up a few favorite events created especially for families with special needs to take advantage of all the great things Chicagoland offers. Read some of our picks below and find more future events on our calendar.
Special Needs Day
When: Sept. 18
Where: Homer Glen.
Families with special needs can enjoy a free night at Konow's Corn Maze, with hay rides, grain train ride, cow train rides, straw play ground, jumpy pillow, petting zoo, tree house, corn pits, corn maze and spider webs. Free admission includes immediate family members only. Everyone must register and have a ticket. 3-8 p.m. 16849 S. Cedar Road, Homer Glen.
Family Night Out
When: Sept. 21
Where: Naperville
An evening of play and learning for children with special needs and their families, focusing on autism spectrum and other sensory processing disorders as well as physical disabilities. Registration required 5:30-8 p.m. DuPage Children's Museum, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville. (630) 637-8000.
Autism's Got Talent and Resource Fair
When: Sept. 21
Where: Hanover Park
An Autism Hero Project family-friendly event with activity stations, face painting, balloon art and a photobooth, plus see the talent of those on the autism spectrum as they showcase their skills on stage. Plus, magician The Amazing Christopher George will entertain.
Pay what you can donation. 1-4 p.m. Parkwood Elementary, 2150 Laurel Ave., Hanover Park. All proceeds support families by purchasing medical insurance for children with autism.
Sibs Rock Too! and Open Play
When: Sept. 21
Where: Palatine
Join local Chicago author Jessica Leving for a reading of her book, Special Siblings: Growing up with a sibling who has special needs, which she wrote based on her real-life experiences growing up with a brother who has autism. Geared toward siblings ages 3-8. $14, $12 additional child. 4-5 p.m., We Rock the Spectrum, 553 E. Dundee Road, Palatine.
Lambs Farm Participant Theater Presents… Peter Pan!
When: Sept. 21-22
Where: Buffalo Grove
Lambs Farm participants have built sets, designed costumes, learned the choreography to their favorite songs and learned their lines to the Disney classic, Peter Pan. All proceeds benefit Lambs Farm's programs for people with developmental disabilities. $5 kids 2-12, $15 adults. 7 p.m. Sept. 21 and 2 p.m. Sept. 22. Buffalo Grove Community Arts Center, 225 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove.
Calm Waters
When: Sept. 25
Where: Chicago
Shedd Aquarium's Calm Waters allows people with special needs to explore the exhibits and experiences in a comfortable and accepting environment. Modifications include limited capacity and streamlined entry with advance registration. Family members and companions welcome. $24.95, call (312) 939-2438 to request complimentary companion ticket for paid personal care attendants. 8-10 a.m. Aug. 18, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Sept. 25. Illinois residents receive free admission Sept. 25 with valid ID. Call (312) 692-3315 for special accommodation requests.
Siegel's Cottonwood Farm Special Needs Weekend
When: Sept. 28-29, Oct. 26-27
Where: Lockport
Free general admission for children and adults with special needs and their immediate family to enjoy a weekend at Siegel's Pumpkin Fest. More than 30 attractions included, such as hay rides, train rides, duck races, straw mountain, giant mountain slide, jumping pillows, farm animals and corn mazes. Must preregister by Sept. 15. Siegel’s Cottonwood Farms, 17250 Weber Road, Lockport.
Autism Friendly Pumpkin Wonderland
When: Oct. 6
Where: Lisle
Jack's Pumpkin Glow is a Halloween experience that features a pumpkin wonderland with thousands of hand-carved jack o’lanterns. Enjoy a pumpkin patch, live carving demonstrations and fall food & beverages. This special night is sponsored by the Special Needs Mom Squad. 6-9 p.m. Sensory Garden Playground, 2751 Navistar Drive, Lisle.
Blue Man Group Autism-Friendly Performance
When: Oct. 6
Where: Chicago
Blue Man Group is holding its sixth annual autism-friendly performance with slight modifications made to create a sensory-friendly show. The lobby will be transformed into a calming environment with bean bags, dim lighting and quiet corners. Sound levels during the show will be reduced and noise isolating headphones will be available upon request. Special performance ticket price is $44, with $5 donated to local autism advocacy organizations. Briar Street Theatre, 3133 N. Halsted, Chicago.
GiGi Fest
When: Oct. 10
Where: Hoffman Estates
Enjoy the festival that includes food, games, inflatables, petting zoo, raffles, pumpkin painting and music. Free. Noon-3 p.m. GiGi's Playhouse, 2350 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates.
Play for All
When: Oct. 12
Where: Chicago
Held the second Saturday of every month, children and families with special needs can experience Chicago Children’s Museum’s inclusive, multi-sensory exhibits and programs in a quiet environment. The museum opens one hour early, at 9 a.m., for preregistered guests. The first 250 visitors to register receive free admission.
Sensory Friendly Sundays
When: Oct. 13
Where: Lisle
Experience a less crowded Children's Garden with minimal noise, designed for families with sensory needs. 8:45-9:30 a.m. Morton Arboretum, 4100 Ill. Route 53, Lisle.
Sensory Saturdays
When: Oct. 19, Nov. 16
Where: Chicago
Field Museum opens the Crown Family PlayLab early just for families with special needs. While the playlab is geared toward young children, there are opportunities for children of all ages and abilities. Siblings, family members and caregivers welcome. 9-10 a.m. Free with advance registration, but space is limited. Register at accessibilityeducator@fieldmuseum.org.
Everyone at Play
When: Oct. 20, Nov. 17
Where: Glenview
Kohl Children’s Museum opens to families with special needs to allow them to enjoy calm, collaborative play when the museum is closed to the general public. Museum staff is on hand for play support and guidance and a quiet room is provided. Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy will be on site for one-on-one sessions. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Space is limited. 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview.
Low-Sensory Early Exploration
When: Nov. 17
Where: Chicago
The Museum of Science and Industry offers guests with special needs a time to explore the exhibits in a sensory-friendly environment 8:30-9:30 a.m. Advance registration offers free museum entry, access to the Idea Factory, Farm Tech and Circus exhibits. The entire museum will be altered to be more sensory-friendly until noon with additional accommodations and a designated quiet area. Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago.
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