Sensory-Friendly Playtime at KidsPlay Museum

KidsPlay Children’s Museum in Torrington is scheduled to host a sensory-friendly play session on Friday, May 22, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., according to event listings from the museum and Connecticut’s tourism office. The program is designed for children with disabilities, children on the autism spectrum and children with sensory-processing disorders, along with their families. The museum says the session offers a quieter setting than a typical visit, with attendance capped and preregistration encouraged. CTvisit lists admission at $5 per child and $5 per adult, with museum members admitted free. ### When is the session, and where is it taking place? Friday, May 22, is the date listed by both KidsPlay and CTvisit for the event, and both sites place it at KidsPlay Children’s Museum, 61 Main Street in Torrington, Connecticut. The program is scheduled to run for two hours, beginning at 5 p.m. and ending at 7 p.m. CTvisit includes the museum’s contact information with the listing, including a phone number and email for families seeking more details. The state tourism site also places the event in its Memorial Day weekend roundup for May 22 through May 25. ### What makes this play session sensory-friendly? KidsPlay says the event is intended to provide a “sensory-friendly and judgement-free environment” for play and learning. The museum says lights are lowered, sounds are reduced and attendance is limited. The museum’s event page says the session is aimed at children with disabilities, children on the autism spectrum and children with sensory-processing disorders and their families. A separate KidsPlay description says the format is meant to let children engage with exhibits in a calmer environment than the museum’s usual public hours. ### How many people can attend, and do families need reservations? KidsPlay says capacity is limited to 50 for the May 22 session. The museum says preregistration is strongly encouraged. CTvisit also says attendance is limited, and its listing directs visitors to purchase tickets in advance. The museum’s website links families to ticketing from the event page. ### How much does it cost? CTvisit lists admission for the May 22 session at $5 for children and $5 for adults. The same listing says museum members can attend for free. CTvisit says the reduced-price admission is supported by sponsorship from the Union Savings Bank Foundation. The tourism listing describes the event as part of the museum’s effort to provide a more accessible play setting for families living with sensory-processing challenges. ### Who is KidsPlay Children’s Museum geared toward? CTvisit describes KidsPlay Children’s Museum as a family destination in downtown Torrington with interactive exhibits for children ages 1 to 10. The tourism listing says the museum’s exhibits are designed to help children practice pre-academic skills, build curiosity and explore through developmental play. KidsPlay’s public events calendar shows the museum also runs member hours and other family programs during the week. The sensory-friendly session is listed as one of those recurring offerings. ### Where can families find details before they go? KidsPlay and CTvisit both have live event listings for the May 22 program, including time, location and ticket information. The museum’s site says families can reserve timed-entry tickets through the event page. The next step for interested families is registration before the Friday, May 22, 5 p.m. start at KidsPlay Children’s Museum in Torrington, with attendance capped at 50.