Making Winter Months Enjoyable for Every Family
Winter break and the colder months can be a wonderful time to slow down, reconnect, and recharge—but for children on the autism spectrum, changes in routine can sometimes feel overwhelming. Thoughtfully planning autism-friendly activities around Metro Detroit can make a meaningful difference. Whether you’re searching for indoor options during chilly days or year-round sensory-friendly experiences, these ideas are designed to help your family enjoy fun, supportive, and stress-free moments together.
KultureCity-Certified Venues in Metro Detroit
KultureCity partners with venues to create sensory-inclusive environments for individuals with autism and other sensory needs. Many certified locations offer sensory bags (often including noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, and visual cue cards), staff trained in sensory inclusion, and additional accommodations to help ensure a positive experience for all.
Below are several great options for sensory-friendly winter fun:
Great Lakes Crossing Mall (Auburn Hills)
The following attractions, all located inside Great Lakes Crossing Mall, host special sensory-friendly mornings featuring reduced lighting, no music, quiet spaces, and the removal of distracting stimuli prior to public hours:
Centers & Museums
- Outdoor Adventure Center – A unique indoor “outdoor” museum that previously hosted sensory-friendly days. While these events have ended for the year, families are encouraged to check the 2026 schedule.
- Michigan Science Center – An engaging educational space offering sensory backpacks, sensory-friendly interactive exhibits, and a dedicated sensory room in Kids Town.
- Detroit Zoo – If you don’t mind bundling up, the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak offers sensory bags and autism-safety–trained staff year-round. Wild Lights is a popular holiday event that runs through early January.
- Belle Isle Nature Center – An interactive indoor and outdoor educational space offering sensory bags, weighted lap pads, and printable, downloadable social stories.
- Dossin Great Lakes Museum – A small maritime museum on Belle Isle that provides sensory bags, weighted lap pads, and printable sensory guides with detailed sensory information for each gallery.
- The Henry Ford – Several attractions within The Henry Ford—including the Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village, and the Ford Rouge Factory Tour—offer sensory kits, sensory-friendly maps, quiet spaces, and autism-safety–trained staff. Sensory-friendly movie screenings are also available.
- Arab American National Museum – Located in Dearborn, this museum offers sensory bags to support a more comfortable visit.
Theaters & Arenas
- Little Caesars Arena – Take in a Pistons or Red Wings game, or a concert, as they provide a full sensory room, sensory bags, and sensory-inclusive trained staff.
- The Fox Theatre – For those who love music and theatre, this historic performance and concert venue offers sensory bags and sensory-inclusive trained staff.
- The Fillmore Detroit – A concert and performance venue that also provides sensory bags, a designated quiet area, accessible bathrooms, and printable social stories.
- Fisher Theatre/Broadway in Detroit – For Broadway lovers, this historic performance venue has sensory bags, weighted lap pads, quiet areas, and sensory-inclusive trained staff.
- Detroit Opera House – This iconic opera and concert venue offers sensory bags and a quiet room when needed.
Other Sensory-Friendly Activities Around Metro Detroit
While not officially KultureCity-certified, the following local activities and events are also worth exploring for autism-friendly and sensory-friendly family fun:
- Sensory-Friendly Films – Select AMC and Emagine theater locations offer special movie showings with dimmed lights, reduced sound, smaller audience sizes, and a more relaxed environment.
- iFLY Detroit – If your child loves adventure, check out this indoor skydiving facility in Novi that offers an “All Abilities” program designed to support individuals with special needs.
- Detroit Symphony Orchestra – Expose your child to classical music through their designated sensory-friendly concerts with flexible seating, smaller audiences, dimmed lighting, and access to noise-canceling headphones.
- Bowlero Royal Oak – A wonderful, low-cost family outing during the winter, they have low-sensory bowling every Wednesday from 4–6 p.m. and has autism-safety-trained staff.
- Chuck E. Cheese – Locations in Sterling Heights and Canton host sensory-sensitive hours on select Sunday mornings, featuring dimmed lights, reduced noise, and sensory-inclusive trained staff.
For additional ideas, be sure to check out our blog on fitness and physical wellness for children with autism, as well as the Oakland County Moms adaptive needs events calendar.
Closing Thoughts
Every child deserves opportunities to experience joy, connection, and inclusion. These sensory-friendly activities around Metro Detroit are designed to help families impacted by autism feel supported while creating meaningful memories together. Whether you’re visiting a museum, enjoying a sensory-friendly movie, or exploring a KultureCity-certified venue, we hope this guide empowers your family to find experiences that feel both comfortable and fun—this season and beyond.
If you’re looking for additional support, resources, or guidance tailored to your child and family, Healing Haven is here to help. Learn more about our services or reach out to connect with our team today.
NOTE: We are not making specific recommendations for readers to participate in these autism-friendly activities. That is up to the discretion of parents in choosing activities they and their children participate in.