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. Blandford Nature Center is another Grand Rapids area KultureCity partner.

KultureCity provides training and materials to organizations interested in creating environments that facilitate positive experiences for guests with sensory challenges. 

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, the three 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 front desks at the GRPM and Blandford Nature Center 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.

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.

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 has reassessed its design process. When the museum featured their Toys! Exhibit (2018-2020), staff solicited feedback from a variety of community groups and professionals who advised them on design.

Input from a variety of perspectives helped evolve the design several times over the course of planning, resulting in a better exhibition for everyone. The Toys! exhibit became a prototype for how GRPM could design exhibits that would provide an inclusive and seamless experience for all guests, including those with sensory needs.

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 also offers sensory-friendly, inclusive programming. While their certification is through a different program, they’ve taken several steps to make adaptations so the GRCM is more sensory-friendly.

Their staff has also undergone training, and they offer similar sensory-friendly kits with slightly different components.

Although the GRCM isn’t on the KultureCity app, they do share their social story on their website. This guide is especially helpful in planning visits for children or adults with special needs.

Many other attractions in Grand Rapids are making efforts to become sensory-friendly. For example, Celebration Cinema! offers Sensory Showtimes monthly, presenting current movies with modifications including lower volume and dimmed auditorium lights that can remain on if needed. The Grand Rapids Griffins hockey team plays a sensory-friendly game each season, providing sensory rooms for fans who are sensitive to loud noises and strobing lights.  

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.