Sensory-Friendly Experiences in Grand Rapids

After a 2016 millage passed that provided funding to both the zoo and museum, they jointly used part of the millage to partner with KultureCity, a non-profit company based in Birmingham, Alabama, to help them realize their goal. 

KultureCity provides training and materials to organizations interested in creating environments that facilitate positive experiences for guests with a variety of sensory needs, not just autism. 

The training focuses on helping staff and volunteers of the zoo and GRPM to identify and understand more about children with autism or other sensory needs and how they can best interact in different situations.

In addition to the training, both institutions have sensory bags, as well as weighted lap pads, available for guests to check out for free while they visit. Guests can obtain sensory bags at the GRPM front desk and at the Guest Services Desk at John Ball Zoo.

The bags are filled with:

• Noise Cancelling Headphones. These special headphones block out extraneous noise. They are especially useful in muffling unexpected noises like chimps screaming or lots of noise in the aquarium, which tends to be overwhelming.
• Fidget toys. There are several gadgets to hold, squeeze, and manipulate, which can be soothing.
• Feelings card. A card with drawings of faces that depict universal feelings, like scared and angry, are in each bag to make it easier for non-communicative kids to relay their emotions by pointing at the feeling rather than having to verbalize it.

The cards also have pictures of sunglasses, headphones, a snack, and other things someone might need, to help them communicate without being too stressed.

Each bag also contains a lanyard with the KultureCity icon on it, so staff can easily identify visitors with a sensory need. If someone is struggling, they can point visitors towards a quiet space or tap into their training to help as needed.

Blandford Nature Center  has also partnered with KultureCity to offer sensory bags, available at its front desk.

As part of making the zoo, museum and nature center more inclusive for families with sensory needs, the organizations added signage to identify “headphone zones” – places that are traditionally noisier than others, like the carousel at GRPM and the aquarium at the zoo.

Quieter museum exhibits that draw a lot of people are also marked as “headphone zones” because crowds can be a trigger. In addition to the “headphone zones,” the zoo and public museum also have signs to identify quieter areas, where visitors can step away from the hustle and bustle. Designated quiet areas at Blandford Nature Center include a gated Sensory Garden.

Even before working with KultureCity, the GRPM identified the need for a quiet space, which they designed and opened on their first floor in December 2018. One room was redesigned as a nice, quiet space to facilitate sensory decompression. It can also double as a nursing room area, a place to meet a lost child or a space visitors can go to step out of the crowds for a bit.

In addition to taking steps with current exhibits, partnering with KultureCity has helped both organizations consider future designs. When creating new spaces, new habitats, or bringing in new animals, John Ball Zoo wants to design it so everyone feels comfortable and included.

Likewise, the GRPM reassessed its design process to create exhibits that will provide an inclusive and seamless experience for all guests, including those with sensory needs. Sensory Sundays at the museum support visitors with sensory processing needs by adjusting the sound and lighting within current exhibits and presenting a low-sensory planetarium show at the museum’s Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium. Sensory Sundays take place the second Sunday of each month in 2026.

Blandford Nature Center, John Ball Zoo and the Grand Rapids Public Museum are cultural gems in our city that spark curiosity for kids of all ages and each of them strives to create an environment where everyone feels welcome.

Part of being able to enjoy the trip for families with sensory challenges might include pre-planning. For John Ball Zoo, Blandford, and GRPM, who’ve partnered with KultureCity, there’s an app for that!

Simply download the free KultureCity app from the App Store or Google Play, create an account, and choose which organization you’re going to visit. The app includes a short description of the organization, identifies where you can find their “headphone zones,” and maps out quiet spaces.

To help visitors understand what to expect when they visit, the app also includes their “social story,” which, much like a children’s book, uses pictures and words to describe what a typical experience is like at each location. Reading the social story can help people with sensory needs understand the sounds, noises, and situations they may encounter, setting expectations and helping them manage behavior. You can also read the social stories of the zoo and museum on their websites.

The zoo, museum and nature center aren’t alone in their efforts to create sensory-friendly experiences.

The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum  has implemented a sensory-friendly protocol to make its space accessible and beneficial for all children and families. Sensory support includes free-to-use toolkits containing emotion wallet cards, noise-reduction headphones, weighted suspenders, stress balls, fidget tools and more. The museum also offers Sensory Friendly Playtimes several times a year. (You must register to attend.)

Many other attractions in Grand Rapids are making efforts to become sensory-friendly. For example:

• Van Andel Arena, the area’s largest venue for concerts, sporting events and family shows, has a sensory room and free-to-use sensory items like a wiggle seat, lap pad, noise-canceling headphones and fidget toys.

• DeVos Performance Hall, which hosts concerts, Broadway shows, ballet, opera and more, offers the same sensory tools as Van Andel Arena.

• Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park hosts sensory-friendly hours during its mega-popular Butterflies are Blooming exhibition (March 1-April 30 each year) and offers other sensory-friendly events throughout the season.

• All Grand Rapids Public Library branches – including the Main Branch in downtown GR – have sensory toolkits for patron use.

• Celebration Cinema! offers monthly  Sensory Showtimes , presenting current movies with modifications including lower volume and dimmed auditorium lights that can remain on if needed.

• Grand Rapids Civic Theatre offers a Low Sensory Performance each year and has sensory backpacks available to check out at every performance, free of charge.

• Gerald R. Ford International Airport features a dedicated sensory room in Concourse A, providing a calm, therapeutic environment for travelers with sensory sensitivities. 

• We Rock the Spectrum is a sensory-inclusive kid’s gym.

• The Grand Rapids Griffins  hockey team plays a sensory-friendly game each season and offers sensory bags and a sensory room at every home game.

A family getaway can be stressful when sensory needs are involved, but these Grand Rapids attractions can help you and your child manage sensory input for a fun, relaxing family holiday.