Do you or your child have sensory needs? We’ve been on the hunt for sensory-friendly activities to enjoy in our region, including those that provide a safe and enjoyable experience for people with sensory needs.
From bushwalks that stimulate the senses in gentle ways to destinations that offer respite areas away from the hustle and bustle, the following activities are designed to ensure that everyone can explore, learn, and play without barriers.
Remember to contact or check with the venues in advance to confirm the availability of sensory-friendly activities, as offerings and schedules might change. Additionally, consider the specific needs of you or your child when choosing activities.
IncludingYOU
IncludingYOU is available at some Lake Macquarie City Council events including Lake Mac Carols. The IncludingYOU tent has on offer a range of equipment including weighted blankets, books, sensory toys, noise cancelling headphones to use at no cost. It also offers a place to retreat from the noisy and busy environment. The tent was an initiative of the Ability Links program auspice by Vinnies to support people in the community living with a disability, their families and carers to participate in large events.
Places that offer BindiMaps
The BindiMaps app has been designed to help people of all abilities navigate unfamiliar indoor locations and point them in the right direction with 10-20 times more accuracy than Google Maps.
BindiMaps locates users precisely in indoor spaces. It uses a simple, natural language audio system to describe where users are and what’s around them, and the best way to get to their chosen destination.
The BindiMaps app is free to download and, once installed (ensure you have your location service enabled), you can use it in and around the following venues:
- Newcastle Library
- Wallsend Library
- Civic Theatre
- Newcastle City Hall
- Newcastle Museum
Hunter Valley Gardens
Hunter Valley Gardens is a delight for the senses, with it’s wonderful year-round sights, sounds and smells. For those individuals who are sensitive to high-stimulation environments, Hunter Valley Gardens have a dedicated Quiet Zone, open daily from 9am – 4.30pm.
Indoor Golf
Holey Moley Charlestown cater to sensory difficulties by turning down music and lights – creating a calmer environment when you need it. They recommend you call ahead and ask about the venue’s specific abilities to create a more relaxed environment during your visit. There’s also a sensory map that you can download from the Holey Moley website. The sensory map outlines areas in the venue that are low, medium and high sensory and includes a key to different sensory elements throughout the venue.
Libraries
Libraries, known for their quiet and peaceful atmosphere, make a welcoming space for people who may be sensitive to noise or overstimulation. Libraries are an inclusive environment and provide a supportive space for those with sensory needs to read, learn, relax, and connect with their community. Read more about the fun and educational programs available at your local library.
Maitland Libraries are creating a collection of Social Stories with the aim of reducing anxiety and making the library experience as smooth as possible. The first one is now available for the East Maitland Library Toy Library and can be downloaded from the Maitland Libraries website. Social Stories are a step-by-step guide, with short descriptions and visuals, to help individuals familiarise themselves with the library before their first visit.
Maitland Regional Art Gallery (MRAG)
Maitland Regional Art Gallery have social scripts, visual schedules and sensory bags available to visitors living with anxiety and sensory processing sensitivities. Their social scripts, available to be downloaded from their website, is a visual and scripted guide to view so you know what to expect before your visit. The visual schedule is available at the Gallery reception desk and includes nine picture and word cards about what you can see and do in the Gallery and the Sensory bag includes sensory assistance items. There are also quiet places to rest indoors and in their garden.
Movie Sessions
Held monthly on a Sunday, sensory-friendly screenings at Event Cinemas Glendale on Sensory Movie Day allow families to enjoy their favourite films in a safe and accepting environment. There is modified lighting and sound, with cinema lights dimmed and the movie volume lowered for sensitive ears. The sensory session is the first screening of the day. Visit the Event Cinemas website for further information.
Nature Walks
Nature provides a rich and diverse sensory environment and a walk in nature can be calming and grounding for people of all abilities. Try one of these walks in our local area and experience the soothing effects of nature.
Belmont Lagoon Reserve Walk: Connected to Lake Macquarie via Cold Tea Creek, Belmont Lagoon sits halfway between the lake and ocean. The Belmont Lagoon Reserve Walk in Lake Macquarie is a less frequented 4.3km family walk around the lagoon. You’ll see lots of birdlife and hear their tranquil birdsong. Kids will enjoy exploring the lake, the bush and the creek. Read more about Belmont Lagoon Reserve Walk.
Blackbutt Reserve: Connect with the outdoors at Blackbutt Reserve. The expansive reserve has many quiet and peaceful areas and lots of open space for picnics and play. The 7 accessible walking trails make it easy for visitors to explore the landscapes and native wildlife. Read more about Blackbutt Reserve.
Hunter Wetlands Sensory Trail: If you’re visiting Hunter Wetlands, go for a walk along the Sensory Trail. It has been designed so that the senses of touch, smell and sound can be used to enjoy a wetland experience. There are informative signs that explain what plants to touch and smell. The paths are constructed of crushed rock. The colour reflects light, making it easier to see and the texture creates sound as it is walked upon.
Newcastle Museum
Newcastle Museum often run Low Sensory Sessions of their popular exhibits. In these sessions they keep the house lights up and turn down the special-effect lighting, noise and sound effects so that visitors young and old are not overwhelmed by special effects and noises. Visit the Newcastle Museum website for more information on current exhibits and Low Sensory Sessions.
Parks & Playgrounds
The sensory and special needs area at Lake Macquarie Variety Playground has been designed to accommodate kids with special needs and includes a wheelchair accessible playboat, a tactile orientation totem poles for people with visual impairments and a quiet zone retreat specifically designed to allow children to enjoy playing in a more passive environment. This area is at the western end of the Lake Macquarie Variety Playground near the main entrance.
The ‘Magic Garden’ sensory area at Maitland All-Abilities Playground includes musical instruments (ladybird xylophone and bongo drums) and a tactile totem pole. A sensory sign suggests different things to spot and listen out for in the playground.
Sensory Activities to Do at Home
Sensory activities are open-ended, versatile and can be provided using pretty much anything as a resource, such as cooking ingredients, natural materials and loose parts. The possibilities for learning with this type of play are endless and have so many amazing benefits.
Check out these 5 Play-Based Activities for Babies and Toddlers That You Can Do at Home. These sensory play activities use items you already have at home and are both educational and entertaining.
If you have a preschooler in your care, try these 10 Play-Based Activities for Preschoolers. The activities will support preschoolers in school-readiness and prepare them with the skills to be a lifelong learner.
At Christmas time try these 10 Unique Christmas Sensory Play Activities To Do With Kids.
Shopping Centres
Stockland Green Hills: Stockland Green Hills has a sensory shopping guide offering families a range of sensory-friendly activities and tips to make their visit as convenient, calm, and organised as possible. You can find their sensory map, developed in partnership with Aspect, on their website.
A low-sensory Quiet Room is available for parents, carers, and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to be used as a retreat away from a busy shopping centre. The Quiet Room is located in the amenities adjacent to McDonald’s in the Food Court on Level 1. There are two inclusive playgrounds in-centre, designed in conjunction with Livvi’s Place Inclusive Play Spaces.
Westfield Kotara: If you visit Westfield Kotara on Tuesdays between 10.30-11.30am you’ll notice that they have their lights are dimmed and music volume adjusted. Day to day activities are also limited during this time. Through their Quiet Time initiative, Westfield Kotara aim to create an inclusive environment for customers and look to make a difference to those who face the challenge of shopping in a high sensory environment. Many of the retailers also participate by dimming their lights and lowering their music. Westfield Kotara also have a sensory friendly map available on their website to assist customers who are sensitive to sounds, lights and smells.
Springloaded
During the school holidays, Springloaded Newcastle (located at Oakdale Road, Gateshead) hold sensory sessions. Visit their website or contact Springloaded Newcastle for more details.
We would like to develop this article into a comprehensive guide for families with sensory needs. If you have any suggestions please email us at reena@newywithkids.com.au.