Sensory Friendly Tips for Large Public Events

Large gatherings, like our Grand Opening celebration, can be exciting and fun! However, they can also be overwhelming and chaotic for people. So we wanted to make sure you felt prepared and ready for a day filled with celebration. Here are some tips to utilize for events.

Body Strategies:

Loud music, groups of people, excitement in the air, and these fun event happenings can be overwhelming. However, helping prepare our bodies prior to an event can help us stay calm and regulated.

Tools to help before the event:

  • Talk to your occupational therapist about compression or weighted strategies.
  • Practice taking deep breathes at home or other calming strategies your family uses.
  • Discuss the different activities at the Playhouse (e.g.,  Your friend will be there!  We will eat food and dance to music).
  • Heavy work activities can be a great tool to help your body. Ideas include animal walks, laundry basket rides, a big hug from a caregiver, or a pillow sandwich.

Tools to help our bodies at the event:

  • Decrease environmental sensory input the best you can, such as encouraging your child to wear a hat, sunglasses, or headphones.
  • Take three deep breaths with your child.
  • Stay hydrated and bring a familiar water bottle/cup (there will be refreshments available for purchase)
  • Visit our sensory tent for bubbles, sensory bottles, chalk, and more to help your loved one take a break and reset.

Reduce Surprises:

Helping prepare for an outing by sharing things that they can expect helps make the situation more predictable for your loved one.  Some things you can expect at the Grand Opening event include:

  • Fall family games, food trucks, refreshments, music, friends and community members, and cheering.
  • Some attendees will be wearing costumes, and you can choose to participate or decide to wear something that’s comfortable to you.
  • You will get the opportunity to tour our new facility. You will get the opportunity to meet new people such as Nancy Gianni, THE GiGi, and Mayor Adam Paul.
  • View the full schedule of events at http://gigisplayhouse.com/denver/grand-opening

For visual learners, feel free to utilize the visual schedule below:

Offer Choices:

By offering choices at the event can help your loved one have more control. Rather than sharing “let’s go play” instead you can offer “play games or blow bubbles.” Feel free to utilize the choice board below.

Tools at the Celebration:

At the Grand Opening, we will have a sensory-friendly tent available for individuals to utilize should they choose. Outside in the tent, we will have bubbles, chalk, and sensory bottles to help with calming or sensory stimulation.

If your loved one needs a break from the people and the sunlight, it may be a time to check out the beautiful interior of the Playhouse for a few minutes.  A volunteer can help you find a quiet space.

Know that we are truly #STRONGERTOGETHER and we #accept you as you are. The Denver Playhouse is here to support you the best that we can under reasonable requests. Please feel free to email us at denver@gigisplayhouse.org so that we can better help your loved one or to answer any additional questions you may have.

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