The holidays are fast approaching, and it seems like there’s some type of event or celebration daily for the remainder of November and December. When our kids were younger, we would typically run around in a frenzy trying to create that Norman Rockwell vision of the holidays. We made screaming kids sit on Santa’s lap (much to his delight), went to craft events and created cotton ball snowmen that stuck to every surface because of the overuse of glue and drank tepid cocoa while creating gingerbread ‘houses’ that in reality looked like they’d be condemned at any minute. All of this was usually accompanied by a super-sized helping of sugar and red dye #5 just to add some fuel to the meltdown fire.
I know I sound very bah-humbugish and I don’t want to make it sound like we haven’t had some wonderful holiday moments, but we had to learn early on to pace ourselves and to pick events carefully. Which is why I’m writing this post to share a round-up of local, sensory-friendly events occurring in the next couple of months. I tried to provide a variety of event types and location and hoping you can find one or more to enjoy! If you haven’t seen yet on our Facebook or Instagram posts, we here at Galvin Therapy Center are having an open house at our west side location on December 1st! There will be activities, treats and a visit from (sensory friendly) Santa! If you’d like to set up time for a photo, call Amy @ 216-514-1600 ext 304.
November Events:
Nov 23 (and 26th) – AMC Sensory Friendly Film Showing – Frozen 2
Location – 4788 Ridge Road Brooklyn, OH
Time – 10:00 – 12:00 (call theater to confirm show time – (216) 749-0260)
Link for more information – https://www.milestones.org/events/2019/11/23/amc-sensory-friendly-film-showing-frozen-2
Nov 24 – Sensory-Friendly Santa
Location – Beachwood Place (NOTE – also at Belden Village Mall in Canton)
Time – 8:30am – 11:30am
Link for more information – https://www.autismspeaks.org/events/sensory-friendly-santa-beachwood-place
Nov 25 – Special Needs Open Jump (NOTE – this is offered every Monday!)
Location – Sky Zone 31500 Viking Parkway Westlake, OH 44145
Time – 4:30pm – 6:00pm
Link for more information – https://www.milestones.org/events/2019/11/25/special-needs-open-jump
Nov 28 – Sensory Friendly “Carol” (A Christmas Carol)
Location – Ohio Theater, Playhouse Square
Time – 11:00am – 12:45pm
Link for more information – https://www.greatlakestheater.org/event/sensory
December Events:
Dec 1 – Open House Event at Galvin Therapy Center
Location – 37701 Colorado Ave. Unit D, Avon, OH 44011
Time – 12pm – 2pm
Call for more information – Amy @ 216-514-1600 ext 304
Dec 4 – Sensory Friendly Santa
Location – Brunswick Library – 3649 Center Road Brunswick, OH 44212
Time – 10:00am – 12:00pm
Link for more information – https://www.northeastohioparent.com/event/sensory-friendly-santa/
Dec 5 – Sensory Friendly Performance – Big Fish
Location – Near West Theater 6702 Detroit Ave. Cleveland, OH
Time – 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Link for more information – https://www.milestones.org/events/2019/12/05/sensory-friendly-performance-big-fish
Dec 7 – P.A.L.S. Big Screen Sensory Friendly Movie – The Grinch
Location – Parma Snow Branch of the Library
Time – 11:00am – 1:00pm
Link for more information – https://attend.cuyahogalibrary.org/event/2946018
Dec 21 – North Pointe Ballet’s Sensory Friendly Nutcracker (Note – also other dates/locations)
Location – Magnificat High School Rocky River, OH
Time – 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Link for more information – https://www.facebook.com/events/magnificat-high-school/npbs-sensory-friendly-the-nutcracker-in-cuyahoga-county/377826083134292/
We’re so happy to see so many of our favorite organizations offering events for the whole family to enjoy and this is just a small sampling. Definitely check out the links above for even more ideas for the season and remember, it’s all about pacing yourself! You still have my permission to cut short the visit to weird Aunt Edna and maybe stay home with a good book or puzzle!
Note: We were not compensated in any way for the recommendations or products linked to in the above post.
Photo by Pixabay