On a wet weekend morning, we trudged out of the house for Sensory Saturday at Imagine Nation Museum in Bristol. Everyone agreed that the museum visit was entirely worth braving the weather! Sensory Saturdays are free for families with children with special needs thanks to a grant from the McPhee Foundation. Arrive between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. for the monthly early openings to enjoy sensory-sensitive exploration, featuring lowered lights and sound, with plenty of staff available to assist and stations set up for hands-on fun.
We ended up staying far past 10 a.m. on our visit. (Headphones are a great idea in case the museum gets crowded, and for the period after the modifications end.) We had been to the museum before, but the mix of workshops on offer kept our visit very fresh. We were able to bring our own food to eat in the cafe space by the entrance, which is a great option for special diets or selective eaters. One other appreciated point: the bathrooms are free of those shockingly loud hand dryers that have brought my oldest to tears.
Some of the fantastic experiences we took advantage of during our visit included a giant spirograph-style machine, lots of craft projects in the art studio space, which was very well-staffed and well-stocked, story time with visiting authors, and participating in robotics and 3-D printing demonstrations. The kids also enjoyed chatting with the resident museum bunny downstairs and the bearded dragon and tortoise upstairs. It was a bit chilly to enjoy the outdoor space, but I am certain our kids will have fun climbing around on the equipment at a later date.
We will absolutely visit on a future Sensory Saturday. Check the Imagine Nation calendar for the next session, and for workshops planned coinciding with the next date.
Shoreline Special Parents 