This October, Children’s Museum Houston and Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center bring the spirit of Halloween to their Sensory Friendly Days, creating welcoming spaces where children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), sensory differences and other learning differences can celebrate, explore and play at their own pace.  

Both Halloween-themed events will feature special activities, festive experiences and community resources in environments intentionally designed to reduce sensory stimuli. Families can expect smaller crowds, reduced lighting and sound, additional visual signage and designated quiet spaces, allowing children and caregivers to experience Halloween in a way which feels comfortable for them.

Sensory Friendly Day at Children’s Museum Houston

Carve out some eerie-sistible Hallowen fun with Houston Ballet and therapy dogs!

Monday, Oct.19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | $9.95 General admission

Sponsored by The Stanford and Joan Alexander Family

From monsters and bubbles to trick-or-treating, crafts, stories and therapy animals, experience Halloween through play, discovery and imagination with room for every child to participate in their own way.

·       Faithful Paws’ Therapy Dogs: A little wag, a warm nose and a whole lot of love! Four paws, wagging tails and plenty of Halloween cuddles await!

·       Houston Ballet:  Put on your dancing shoes and join Houston Ballet for a spellbinding dose of movement, music and fun!

·       Texas Bubblers– Science Touch Table: Test, create and observe bubbles through hands-on science experiments.

·       Trick-or-Treating: Collect treats, trinkets and surprises throughout the Museum.

·       Monster Stuffies: Create a monster craft while exploring new ways to express yourself.

·       Story Time –The Color Monster: Discover and talk about feelings during story times.

·       Cloud Slime: Experiment with ingredients to create a stretchy, fluffy sensory experience.

·       Sensory Room: Take a break, relax, reset and recharge in a designated quiet space.

The Museum will also welcome community organizations dedicated to supporting children and families, including the University of Houston Cognitive Development Lab, Neuhaus Education Center, The Arc of Harris County, and Easter Seals Greater Houston.

Both Children’s Museum Houston and Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center are KultureCity® Certified Sensory Inclusive™ venues, and families can check out KultureCity sensory bags containing noise-reducing headphones, fidget tools, visual cue cards and an ID card with a breakaway lanyard.

Sensory Friendly Day at Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center

Enjoy ghastly giggles and monstrous mashups with the Cookie Monster and therapy dogs!

Monday, Oct. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | $8 General Admission

Families can explore the Discovery Center all while enjoying a lineup of festive Halloween activities and the company of friendly canines and more!

·       Faithful Paws’ Therapy Dogs: Meet some of the sweetest Halloween companions around!

·       Cookie Monster-Inspired Meet & Greet: Meet a familiar friend in a relaxed Halloween environment.

·       Texas Bubblers–Science Touch Table: Explore the science of bubbles through hands-on experiments and discoveries.

·       Trick-or-Treating: Collect a bag of treats, trinkets and surprises.

·       Monster Stuffies: Create a monster craft while exploring new ways to express yourself.

·       Storytime –The Color Monster: Explore feelings through this fun and engaging story.

Families can also connect with community organizations supporting children and families, including The Arc of Fort Bend, and Easter Seals Greater Houston.

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UPCOMING SENSORY FRIENDLY DAYS:

1.       Monday, Dec. 14, 2026 at Children’s Museum Houston

2.       Monday, Feb. 15, 2027 at Children’s Museum Houston

3.       Monday, April 5, 2027 at Children’s Museum Houston

4.       Monday, April 19, 2027 at Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center

Pre-registration required. Please contact Lydia Dungus at ldungus@cmhouston.org or (713) 535-7238 to make a reservation.

*Activities, events andtimes subject to change.

ABOUT CHILDREN’S MUSEUM HOUSTON

Winner of 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, winner of Good Housekeeping’s “Best Family Travel Award” four years in a row (2023 to 2026), voted “Houston’s Best Museum” in Houston Chronicle’s Best of the Best Awards two years in a row (2023 and 2024), winner of Tripadvisor “2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards,” only American continent finalist in 2023 Hands On! Children in Museums International Award, listed among Forbes, LA Times and USA Today’s “Best Children’s Museums in the U.S.,” The Culture Trip’s “Top Museum and Landmark to Visit in Houston” and oneof “Houston’s Must-See Museums” by Travel Channel, Children’s Museum Houston is a Playground for Your Mind™.  It isdedicated to improving the trajectories of children in Greater Houston throughinnovative, child-centered learning. Founded in 1980 and housed in a whimsicalbuilding designed by internationally acclaimed architect Robert Venturi, Children’s Museum Houston offers a multitude of innovative exhibits andbilingual learning programs for kids ages birth to 12 years. The Museum is a501(c)(3) organization. For more information, visit www.cmhouston.org or call (713) 522-1138.  Can your mind come out to play?™

ABOUT FORT BENDCHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTER

Ranked as one of the “Top10 Things to Do in Sugar Land” on TripAdvisor and Fort Bend Star’s Reader’s Choice Awards “Best Local Museum” in 2017 and 2019, the Fort BendChildren’s Discovery Center – A Very Special Project of Children’s MuseumHouston, is a Playground for Your Mind™. It is dedicated to improving the trajectories of children in GreaterHouston through innovative, child-centered learning.  Founded in 2016, it offers a multitude ofinnovative exhibits and bilingual learning programs for kids ages birth to 12years.  The Discovery Center is a501(c)(3) organization. HOURS are Wednesday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to3 p.m.  Located at 198 Kempner St.,Sugar Land, TX 77498 in the Historic Imperial Market. For more information,please visit www.childrensdiscoveryfb.org or call (832) 742-2800.  Can your mind come out to play?™

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