Albuquerque has so many amazing events, spaces, and places for families around the city, but sometimes those awesome offerings can be crowded, overstimulating, and just plain overwhelming.
As awareness grows about differences and disabilities, more and more Albuquerque businesses and organizations offer inclusive, sensory-friendly activities and time slots.
Here are some of our favorite inclusive and sensory-friendly activities around Albuquerque.
We Rock the Spectrum
1101 Golf Course Rd SE, Ste 103, Rio Rancho
We Rock the Spectrum is an amazing, inclusive chain specifically created for people on the autism spectrum. The Albuquerque indoor play space has a zip line, small rock wall, imaginary play areas, toddler area, calming room, and lots of features you see at pediatric occupational therapy, like various swings and balance obstacles. Because it’s specifically designed to be inclusive, the standard is to welcome and celebrate everyone. It also has several opportunities to calm down, like a quiet room and swings, which are great for kids who get overstimulated by the loud music and lights at other play areas.
A Park Above
2441 A Park Above Court, Rio Rancho
A Park Above is the first fully inclusive and accessible playground in New Mexico. This park is a place where all children can come together, interact, be included, and grow through the gift of play. Check out this YouTube video highlighting all of the great amenities at A Park Above.
Albuquerque Biopark
Zoo: 903 10th St SW
Aquarium & Botanic Garden: 2601 Central Ave NW
The Albuquerque Zoo, Aquarium, and Botanic Garden host low-sensory events each month with a limited number of tickets available from 9-10 am. The zoo’s sensory-friendly mornings are the first Tuesday of the month. The aquarium and botanic garden’s sensory-friendly mornings are the third Tuesday of the month. The BioPark’s website also has a sensory guide to help visitors determine which areas of the zoo might trigger specific sensitivities.
Camp Adventure
Camp Adventure is a summer adaptive camp for children 6 to 21 years old living with permanent physical disabilities who have received care at Carrie Tingley Hospital within the past three years. This camp allows children and teens the opportunity to unleash their possibilities. Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation also offers a wide range of year-round adaptive sports and activities.
Chatter Paint
10131 Coors Blvd NW, Suite B-03
A fun and relaxed painting in an environment where you don’t have to be neat and clean! A fun, creative activity for the whole family! (And honestly, a great de-stress for mom!)
Explora
1701 Mountain Rd NW
Explora is an incredible children’s science, technology, engineering, and math museum and an Albuquerque staple that offers fun and learning for the whole family! Explora prides itself on being a place for everyone to learn, no matter their age, ability, or background. Explora offers regular sensory-friendly times with lower attendance, noise and light reduction, and sensory kits. Check out their schedule here.
Nose to Toes Yoga
Nose to Toes Yoga Studio Owner, Liz Fitzgerald, is an experienced Kids Yoga Teacher who guides kids in summer camps, classes, and parties. In her studio, kids of all abilities learn to bend and stretch to build strength, flexibility, and focus.
Restoration Pizza
5161 Lang Ave NE, Suite A
Restoration Pizza partners with various local agencies to employ individuals with disabilities. A large percentage of their staff have a physical or mental disability, plus they serve up delicious pizza! It’s pizza that gives everyone a seat at the table.
Jungle Jam
9227 Coors Blvd. NW
A family favorite, Jungle Jam is an indoor playground with trampolines, a giant climbing structure, crash pads, and toddler-only area. The first Sunday of each month is Sensory Sunday from 8:45-10:45 a.m. (except for Easter Sunday).
Popejoy Hall Sensory-friendly Schooltime Series
203 Cornell Dr
Popejoy offers select shows each season with accommodations for students with sensory sensitivities to help them enjoy live entertainment in a welcoming and supportive environment. Seating capacity for these performances is reduced.
Local Movie Theaters
Multiple movie theater chains offer inclusive options. Check your local theater for closed-captioning showings and sensory-friendly films. Flix Brewhouse’s Flix Jr. program offers young families and those with sensitivities an opportunity to escape to family-friendly movies. AMC Sensory Friendly Films offer showings with the lights turned up and the sound turned down. Regal Theaters Winrock’s first show of the day on select Saturdays is a My Way Matinee, where guests of all ages are free to sing, cry, dance, walk around, talk, or shout while enjoying Hollywood’s latest films.
Albuquerque Isotopes
1601 Avenida Cesar Chavez SE
In collaboration with the New Mexico Autism Society and Summit Electric Supply, the Isotopes offers sensory bags for the sensory-sensitive community attending a baseball game. Each bag has headphones in either adult or child size to help block out crowd noise, sunglasses to help with lighting, gloves to help with tactile sensations, and fidgets to help focus on the game and less on the crowd around.
River of Lights Low-Sensory Nights
2601 Central Ave NW
Albuquerque’s favorite holiday light display offers low-sensory nights, typically at the beginning and end of the season. During these evenings, guests can experience the spectacular light displays that River of Lights is known for, but with modifications to make it a more sensory-supportive environment.
Storytimes for Adults with Special Needs
The South Valley Library, at 3904 Isleta Blvd SW, offers a weekly storytime for adults with special needs. Similar to children’s story times, sensory storytime incorporates adaptive storytelling, interactive reading, crafts, and more.
Urban Air Adventure Park
3930 Pan American Fwy NE
Urban Air is the Ultimate Indoor Adventure Park where kids of all ages (and kids at heart) can explore thrilling attractions, challenge their bodies and minds, and most importantly . . . have a blast! Urban Air offers sensory-friendly hours. Check out their calendar for details.
Whether you want to go watch a baseball game, jump your jiggles out, or learn something new, there is sure to be an activity that the entire family will enjoy!
