Though there certainly is no shortage of things to do on any given day in Palm Beach County, trying to make plans for a special needs child comes with so many layers of additional stress and preparation that many families choose to just stay home. From mobility issues, sensory concerns, concerns over crowds to meltdowns… the challenges are endless.  

We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite autism-friendly activities to help make your planning a little less stressful. And as a bonus – many of these activities are FREE!

Loggerhead Marinelife Center

Loggerhead Marinelife Center is one of Florida’s most visited nonprofit scientific destinations focused on ocean and sea turtle conservation.  Open 7 days a week, from 10 am – 5 pm.  There is so much to see and do at Loggerhead. Though they are most known for their turtle tanks and turtle hospital, the recently renovated center has so much more to do.  In Ocean Hall, you can immerse yourself in the sounds and feel of the being underwater.  This dimly lit area, which is filled with aquariums, is the perfect calming sensory environment for children who may be feeling a bit overwhelmed.  My twins’ favorite activity is the Digital Reef in which you can create your own custom digital animal on the computer screen which is then magically sent into the reef and you can watch it come alive on the big screen. 

For those who may want a calmer, less crowded experience, they offer Sensory Saturdays. These Saturdays, guests will be able to explore the outdoor hospital and indoor exhibits with reduced lighting and sounds.  You can register online to attend an event.

Sensory Backpacks are always available for checkout at the welcome desk if needed. Each backpack includes headphones, sunglasses, gloves, fidget spinners, and communication boards.

Manatee Lagoon

This is one of our favorite winter activities! During Manatee Season, which runs from November 15 to March 31, there are always a ton of manatees playing in the warm-water outflows from Florida Power & Light Company’s adjacent Riviera Beach Next Generation Clean Energy Center.  In the warmer months, you may still see an occasional manatee but there are always other fish and ocean life to explore as well.  Inside, the center features hands-on activities to learn more about manatees and the Lake Worth Lagoon.

Manatee Lagoon is a certified autism-friendly business by the Florida Atlantic University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities.  And they are working hard to provide a sensory-friendly experience for all abilities.  There are Sensory Kits available for checkout at the welcome desk if needed.  These contain: sunglasses, noise-canceling headphones, a fidget toy, and a weighted manatee plushie.

They also offer Sensory Saturdays Date on the third Saturday of each month from 8:00 am – 9:00 am. These events are FREE but advanced registration is required. Register here.

They also offer social stories and some helpful tips to help you plan for your trip. Click here for more information.

Cox Science Center and Aquarium

The Cox Science Center and Aquarium truly makes learning fun!  And one of the things I love about visiting is it is never the same experience twice: from featured exhibits to the whirlwind of renovations- you can always find something new to do! 

As they believe that curiosity and critical thinking are essential to equity and justice for all and diversity is a key component to the success of STEM fields, it is no surprise that this is one of the most autism/sensory-friendly activities we have available in Palm Beach County. They offer Sensory Saturdays the first Saturday of each month from 9:00-10:00 am with discounted admission, smaller crowds and lighting, sound and visual stimulation decreased.  Pre-registration is required.  They also offer Accessible restrooms located throughout the building, all of which are sensory-friendly and DO NOT have hand dryers or auto-flush mechanisms and accessible Family Restrooms located in the hall behind our Quantum Hall of Exploration.

I would recommend bringing noise-cancelling headphones as sensory stimulation varies throughout the science center during regular operating hours. We always balance overstimulating activities (such as the planetarium) with quieter activities (such as the shadow room).

There is so much to see and do! After the featured exhibit, planetarium and hand-on activities and aquarium inside…. You can venture outside to a splash pad, dinosaurs, mini golf, and so much more.  You can easily spend an entire day exploring. 

Children’s Science Explorium and Playground at Sugar Sand Park

This is easily one of the best-kept secrets in Palm Beach County! 

The Children’s Science Explorium has two giant rooms of hands-on science fun! Though it is geared towards children 5-12, truly all ages will enjoy it. There is something for everyone to see and do!  From hot air balloons to robotics to airplay with scarves and balls… they have something for every sensory need. And they also feature traveling National Exhibits as well. Outside, there is a butterfly garden, there are watering cans to take care of the flowers and plants, there is a nature trail, and you can even rent (for free) Grab and Go Eco Packs which include tools to help you investigate the plants and critters found throughout the trail. 

Now one of the things my twins love about the Science Explorium is that it is located within Sugar Sand Park – which features a Carousel and an incredible playground.  My boys are obsessed with carousels, so this is always a must-do!  The carousel is open: WEDNESDAY – FRIDAY:  3 PM-7 PM and SATURDAY, SUNDAY, & HOLIDAYS: 11 AM-4 PM.  It is only $1 per ride and is wheelchair accessible. We both start and end every visit at the carousel.

The science playground is like none other in Palm Beach County. It is a tri-level, hands-on experience with so much to see and do. Keep in mind, if you have children who wander this playground can be a challenge due to the number of levels and slides and areas where they can potentially get lost. So please keep a close eye on your children at all times. The playground is also very inclusive and features wheelchair-accessible swings, slides, sensory walls, and an expanded climbing structure that allows for access to people of all ages and abilities. They have also recently added inclusive equipment including:  Oodle® Swing, OmniSpin® Spinner, Stand-Up Spinner, Roller Table, Quiet Nook, Sign Language Alphabet Board. There is even a splash pad /water play.  Restrooms are conveniently located next to the playground, as well as water bottles stations and picnic areas.

Scott’s Place Playground – Village of Wellington

For more than a decade this has been our favorite playground in Palm Beach County! 

As a barrier-free playground, Scott’s Place Playground was one of the first in our area to be inclusive to all abilities. It includes wheelchair-accessible swings, accessible climbing structures, and more.  And bonus – it is entirely fenced in, so you don’t have to worry about your children possibly wandering too far. We love the variety of play equipment – the greenspace if they feel like running around – plenty of benches for taking snack breaks and it is always well-maintained.

If your child loves water play – it is next to the Village of Wellington Aquatics Complex which features two water slides, a splash pad, and an Olympic-sized pool. 

These are a few of the most autism/sensory-friendly and FUN activities we have found in Palm Beach County!  I hope our travel tips help to lessen some of your stress and anxiety when it comes to trying new activities. Rest assured, these are all activities that you can just be yourself and not worry about meltdown or other challenges.  All of these venues have staff who are trained to understand our unique challenges and offer support as needed, so that you and your family can just have fun!

More Sensory-Friendly Activities

• Autism-Friendly Nature Trails in The Palm Beaches
• Arts and Culture Experiences in Palm Beach County for those on the Autism Spectrum
• Delray Beach Open:  Using Racquet Sports as a Therapy Tool for Autism
• Fun for ALL Abilities at the South Florida Fair

About the Author: Candi Spitz

Candi Spitz is the Director of Development and Community Relations for the non-profit 211 Palm Beach and Treasure Coast.  211 is the only free and confidential Crisis Hotline and Community Helpline serving the residents of Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast that provides suicide prevention, crisis intervention, information, assessment, and referral to community service for people of all ages.

She has also served as an Ambassador for Project Lifesaver International Ambassador since 2012 and was currently serves as the Director of Ambassador and Public Relations.  Candi is also a radio and tv personality and has been the Host of WPTV NewsChannel 5’s segment “Take 5: Now You Know” since 2018.   She is the former National Spokesperson for Autism Speaks, she spent years as a Special Needs Advocate for the Palm Beach County Court System, and she has served as an autism trainer for Palm Beach County law enforcement and rescue workers.

Most importantly, she is the mother of identical twin sons, Brendan and Jaden, who both were diagnosed with Autism in 2009. She knows firsthand the struggles and concerns that families face each day as they navigate the maze of life with special needs and is passionate about helping families find the help they so desperately need.