Here at Lakeland Mom, we are passionate about connecting families in our community to helpful local resources, and parents of special needs children are at the top of our list. For all of you moms, dads, and grandparents raising children with autism or other special needs, we know you face challenges with everyday activities that many of us take for granted, and events like movies, sports, and indoor play spaces filled with children and loud noises are often too overwhelming.
The good news is that there are organizations in our community creating special opportunities for your family to enjoy these activities in a sensory friendly and/or special needs friendly environment. Our goal is to help you discover places where your kids will thrive!
Looking for other special needs resources? Visit our Special Needs Guide or find more Special Needs Articles.
Lakeland Area Special Needs Enrichment Activities
April’s Acres offers equine therapy services that includes riding with assistance and/or non-riding activities with the horses. The owner/instructor is a pediatric RN and finishing school to be a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. She was certified through Spirit Horse International to provide equine assisted therapy. She will work with your child’s physicians and other therapists to offer a plan that will align with your goals for your child. Therapy provided can be for physical or mental health issues.
The Access Art: Special Needs program invites individuals with special needs and varying exceptionalities to meet once a month at The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art to engage in viewing and discussing artwork that is exhibited. The program is designed to create social engagement and encourage creativity and self expression. Following the tour, the group creates an art activity inspired by the visit in the Museum’s education classrooms. Registration preferred but not required.
Buddy Break provides a safe place for VIP Kids and their siblings to have fun and establish meaningful friendships with other kids and adults while their caregivers get a much-needed FREE break from their overwhelming caregiving responsibilities. VIP Kids include kids with any physical, cognitive, medical or hidden disability, chronic or life-threatening illness, or those who are medically fragile.
Nearby Buddy Break Locations are below. Visit the website or contact the coordinators for more details on how to get involved with Buddy Break.
First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland
US Youth Soccer, the largest youth sports organization, started TOPSoccer in 1991 to provide young athletes with disabilities an environment filled with meaningful learning, development and physical participation opportunities through the game of soccer. Swan City SC TOPSoccer volunteer committee will work to help players develop, compete and achieve success according to their individual abilities. Through the efforts of people and parents like you a whole new world awaits these children. Please reach out and bring them to our Swan City SC soccer family. More info on the Swan City FC website.
500 West Carter Road, Mulberry, Florida 33860
Buddy Ball at Lakeland City Baseball – LCB Buddy Ball™ League is for boys and girls with physical and/or intellectual disabilities, ages 5 and up. Each LCB Buddy Ball player is accompanied by a buddy, who can be a parent, sibling, friend or just someone wanting to help the players have fun and enjoy the game.
Lakeland Community Theatre Out of the Box Troupe is a special needs theatre troupe consisting of 40 members ages 12 to 50 who meet once a week at Lakeland Community Theatre to work on improv, scene work, dance, poetry music, social skills and much more. Twice a year, the troupe performs a one act musical production for the community.
Mini Miracles is a Sunday School Class at First Presbyterian Church in Room 109 offered during the 10:30 worship hour developed for children ages 4-12 who struggle with developmental delays, Autism spectrum disorders, ADD/ADHD, or any other special need. This class allows children with exceptionalities to play freely and have safe social interactions in a secure environment with specially trained adults. Pagers are provided so parents can attend worship without worrying about emergencies. Sunday Mornings at 10:30am.
Nathaniel’s Hope is dedicated to celebrating kids with special needs (VIP kids), as well as educating and equipping the community to provide practical assistance to VIPs and their families. VIP kids include kids with any physical, cognitive, medical or hidden disability, chronic or life threatening illness, and those who are medically fragile. The four main programs include: the VIP Birthday Club, Buddy Break, Make ‘m Smile and Christmas with Nathaniel’s Hope.
Nathaniel’s Hope also hosts special events throughout the year just for VIP kids and their families.
Social Spectrum Club is a safe space for tweens, teens, and young adults with Autism, (or related disabilities) as well as anyone who feels like they just don’t fit in, (we love weirdos, nerds, eccentrics and beautifully awkward peoples!) as well as their siblings/friends. Weekly in-person and virtual meetings and activities. Visit the website to learn more and join the club.
Joyful Soles is a specialized program for teens and adults with individual learning differences. such as autism, down syndrome, and many others. Our goal is to provide a safe place for students where they can interact, build friendships and express themselves through the art of dance.
This Facebook group is a safe place Polk parents can get to know each other and become friends with those who just “get it.” All are welcome who have their own special needs someone. We are all here to support one another so please ask questions, help when others ask questions. Post resources, post happenings in the community. Reach out, get to know other families and look for up coming events posted to the group!
Special Olympics Florida provides year-round sports training and competition to children and adults 8 years of age and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Currently offering 17 sports in Polk County.
Spirit Gymnastics Youth Association HUGS is an adaptive gymnastics program designed especially for special needs individuals ages 4 & up, developed by the United States Gymnastics Federation. The FREE program consists of training fun designed for athletes with Special Needs. Parents are welcome to stay and encouraged to participate or observe the program. Instruction is provided by certified Spirit Gymnastics coaches and volunteers trained to work with special needs children. Lakeland Regional Rehabilitation staff partners with us, providing occupational therapist as part of the program providing adaptive gymnastics therapy recommendations.
This program is designed to help special needs children to improve physical abilities, balance, coordination, strength, endurance, flexibility, environment to practice and learn social skills, and a place to build confidence with adaptive gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, parachute activities, bounce house and a wide array of games and activities for fun. Visit the Spirit Gymnastics website for more details.
TiAnViCa provides recreational therapeutic horse riding for individuals with disabilities. It combines instruction in traditional horsemanship skills with concepts of physical therapy to improve the strength, balance, and self-esteem for children and adults with physical, mental and emotional disabilities. Most of all, it’s FUN!
The Special Creative Experience Dance Class meets weekly for fun social dancing & learning a routine for our annual recital. This class focuses on developmental dance, allowing students who are growing & learning to build self-esteem and self-expression through dance & music. With popular dances like the electric slide, wobble & more the SCE Class encourages those with special abilities to enjoy dance & be themselves.
Tampa Bay & Orlando Area Special Needs Activities
For those of you looking to venture a little further out, below you’ll find places in Tampa, St. Pete, Orlando and other nearby cities with sensory friendly and special needs activities.
AMC Theatres Sensory Friendly Films
AMC is proud to partner with the Autism Society to bring you unique movie showings where you can feel free to be you! We turn the lights up, and turn the sound down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing!
When: Select Wednesdays and Sundays
Where: There are no AMC Theaters in Polk County, the nearest locations are in Brandon and at Disney Springs.
More Info: AMC Website
Sunshine Sunday at Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa
Sunshine Sunday is a special morning on the last Sunday of every month. This program is a limited-engagement event for children with special needs and their caregivers. Children can explore the Museum with lights and sounds turned down and sensory adapted tools, special programs, and community resources at their fingertips. It’s during this time that children and their families can experience the Museum and unite with others on a similar journey. Reservations are encouraged but not required.
When: Last Sunday of each month from 8am-10am.
Where: Glazer Children’s Museum – 110 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa, FL 33602
Cost: Free for Members, $5 general admission.
More Info: Glazer Children’s Museum Website
We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym – Brandon/Tampa
We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym was founded to provide a place for children of all ability levels to play and grow together. As the only kid’s gym that offers an all-inclusive philosophy we have found all children can benefit from our uniquely designed sensory equipment that is specifically designed to aid children with sensory processing disorders. However, in our experience, all children are able to benefit greatly from this equipment and by allowing children of all ability levels to play together they are able to learn a great deal from each other and become the best motivation for success on every level.
When: Check website for open play hours and special events
Where: 1076 E Brandon Blvd, Suite 102, Brandon, FL 33511
More Info: We Rock the Spectrum Website
We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym – Clearwater
We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym was founded to provide a place for children of all ability levels to play and grow together. As the only kid’s gym that offers an all-inclusive philosophy we have found all children can benefit from our uniquely designed sensory equipment that is specifically designed to aid children with sensory processing disorders. However, in our experience, all children are able to benefit greatly from this equipment and by allowing children of all ability levels to play together they are able to learn a great deal from each other and become the best motivation for success on every level.
When: Check website for open play hours and special events
Where: 12505 Starkey Rd, Largo, FL 33773
More Info: We Rock the Spectrum Website
Great Connections at Great Explorations Children’s Museum in St. Pete
Connect with your family, with other families and with resources in the community. Join us for Great Connections, an event just for children with special needs and their families. During these sessions, Great Explorations will close to the general public, will modify lights and sounds, and will provide a “cool down” room for families who need to take a break.
When: 2nd Saturday of each month from 9 am to 10 am, and on the 2nd Sunday from 10 am to 12 pm.
Where: Great Explorations – 1925 4th Street North, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33704
Cost: Free for Members, otherwise $5 per person
More Info: Great Explorations Website
Orlando Repertory Theatre Sensory Friendly Shows
The REP is pleased to offer Sensory-Friendly performances, specially designed for children with autism, Asperger’s, or other sensory processing disorders and special needs. Adjustments have been made to the show’s lighting and sound effects. A quiet room is available, should patrons need to leave the theatre at any time. A Social Story, a resource guide for parents and children, is also available to view, so patrons can get a feel for the theatre experience before the day of the show.
Where: Orlando Repertory Theatre – 1001 East Princeton Street, Orlando, FL 32803
More Info: Orlando Repertory Theatre Website or call (407) 896-7365
Sensory Sundays at the Orlando Science Center
The Orlando Science Center is becoming more accessible by providing new sensory-friendly experiences on select Sunday mornings. This sensory friendly experience will allow our visitors a chance to visit select exhibit halls at quieter volume settings with more light. Visitors will also be able to enjoy a movie with softer volume and more ambient light in our theater.
When: Upcoming dates unknown
Cost: Regular Science Center admission applies. Free to Science Center members.
Where: Orlando Science Center – 777 E. Princeton Street, Orlando, Florida 32803
More Info: Orlando Science Center Website (they have a Sensory Social Story available at the bottom)
iFly All Abilities Program
All Abilities Night at iFLY is a unique event that makes the dream of flight a reality for those in the special needs community. This program has been custom designed for those with physical and cognitive challenges to create an environment of support and inclusion, while focusing on making what seems impossible, possible.
Where: iFLY Orlando – 8969 International Drive, Orlando, FL | (407) 337-4359
iFLY Tampa – 10654 Palm River Rd, Tampa, FL 33619 | (813) 773-4359
More info: iFLY website
Visual Supports from CARD
Planning a visit to the Florida Aquarium, Lowry Park Zoo, MOSI, Dinosaur World, Glazer Children’s Museum, Great Explorations Children’s Museum? The Center for Autism & Related Disabilities at USF (CARD) has created visual supports for many attractions in the Tampa Bay Area. Visit their website to view these resources under the Autism Friendly Businesses Tab.
Visit our Directory to see a full list of Special Needs Resources.
Do you know of other sensory friendly activities or events in the Lakeland or Central Florida area?
Contact us to have them added to our list.
Guide to Lakeland + Polk County
Check out our Guide to Lakeland + Polk County for more parenting resources and local information including Things to Do with Kids, Education, Childcare, Healthcare, Classes + Lessons, Youth Sports, Birthdays, and more.