Minneapolis–Saint Paul Autism Resources & Activities

Are you looking for fun activities and resources in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota, for your child with autism? The Twin Cities offer a variety of inclusive and welcoming places and events for the whole family. From sensory-friendly haircuts to interactive museums, accessible parks, and adaptive movie experiences, there are plenty of options to explore.

Haircuts made easy

Getting a haircut can be challenging for children with autism, but these salons and barbershops are specially trained to accommodate sensory needs and varying comfort levels.

• Kids Hair — Multiple locations‍
  • Stylists receive training from Fraser to make haircuts comfortable, safe, and fun for children with autism.
    
    
• Special Needs Barber — Online directory‍
  • A dedicated Minnesota platform for families searching for a sensory barber near me, a barber for special needs, and a barber shop with autism services.
    
    
• Charity Mohs Hair Artistry — 3459 W. 50th St., Edina, MN‍
  • Charity is a hairstylist and mother to an autistic child, and her “Sensory Friendly Haircuts” service is designed to work within her client’s comfort level.
    
    
• Open Hair Space — 3034 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN‍
  • This salon is committed to accessibility and offers “Quiet Chair Appointments” for those needing more emotional or sensory accommodations. Services are available for children ages 4-12.

Parks and playgrounds

Minneapolis offers a variety of playgrounds and parks tailored to children on the autism spectrum. Our picks feature sensory-friendly equipment to help children of all abilities stay engaged and comfortable. Many of these locations also provide autism resources for parents to download ahead of time to make the most out of their visit.

Water fun for everyone!

Swimming and water activities can benefit children with sensory needs. These facilities offer sensory-friendly swim times and adaptive lessons for children on the spectrum.

• Great River Water Park — 270 Lexington Pkwy. N., Saint Paul, MN‍
  • Offers sensory-friendly swim times on Sundays with reduced noise and fewer people. Admission includes free entry for one caregiver per participant, and children under two enter free.
    
    
• Swim Possible — Multiple locations‍
  • Provides calming, safe, and fun swimming lessons for students of all ages, including those with autism and other sensory or motor learning differences.

• Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute Aquatic Program — Multiple locations‍
  • Offers adaptive swim lessons and aquatic therapy tailored for youth and young adults with autism. Classes focus on technique, endurance, and beginner swim team skills, incorporating team-building and water games.
    
    
• Battle Creek Waterworks — 2401 Upper Afton Rd., Maplewood, MN
  • Hosts an "Autism-Friendly Hour" on Sundays from 9:30-10:30 a.m., allowing families to enjoy the water park at a comfortable pace. In partnership with the Autism Society of Minnesota, they provide a PDF resource to help children prepare for the visit. Note: The facility will be under construction from Fall 2024 to Spring 2026.

Autism-friendly playgrounds & nature centers

These sensory-friendly playgrounds are designed for children with autism and those with sensory processing challenges.

• P.K.'s Place Playground — 1522 University Ave. W., Saint Paul, MN
  
  
• Madison's Place Playground — 4125 Radio Dr., Woodbury, MN
  
  
• Wabun Picnic Area — 4655 46th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN
  
  
• St. David's Center Inclusive Playground — 3395 Plymouth Rd., Minnetonka, MN
  
  
• North Mississippi Regional Park Nature Play Area — 5116 N. Mississippi Dr., Minneapolis, MN
  
  
• Tamarack Nature Center — 5287 Otter Lake Rd., White Bear Township, MN 

Movie theaters, museums, & music venues for autism families

For families who love movies, museums, or music, these venues in Minneapolis provide inclusive experiences for children with autism and sensory needs. Many locations offer autism resources such as social stories and visual guides to help families prepare for their visit. Some also provide amenities like headsets, fidgets, and calm spaces to ensure a comfortable experience for everyone.

Sensory-friendly movies

Lights are dimmed, and sounds are lower during autism-friendly movie screenings. Children can move around, talk, and express themselves freely at the following Twin Cities theatres:

• AMC Sensory Friendly Films — At participating locations‍
  • AMC partners with the Autism Society to provide screenings with brighter house lights and lower sound. Family-friendly showings take place on the second and fourth Saturday of each month.
    
    
• Emagine Willow Creek — 9900 Shelard Pkwy., Plymouth, MN
  • Sensory Friendly Showings feature brighter house lights, lower volume, and audience interaction is encouraged. Guests can bring safe snacks from home and use electronic devices.
    

• Alamo Drafthouse Cinema — 9060 Hudson Rd., Woodbury, MN‍
  • Sensory-friendly screenings offer relaxed noise policies for children of all ages and sensory needs.
    
    
• Marcus Theatres — At participating locations‍
  • On Saturday mornings, "Reel Movies for Real Needs" screenings provide a relaxed environment with lower sound and brighter lighting.
    
    
• B & B Theatres — Inside the Mall of America, 401 South Ave., Bloomington, MN‍
  • Hosts Sensory Friendly viewings with adjusted lighting and sound. Sensory Backpacks are available at the box office.

Museums, orchestras, and the arts

Several cultural institutions in the Twin Cities offer sensory-friendly experiences tailored to individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Many of the following locations also offer downloadable sensory-friendly visitor guides and social narratives for parents to review before their visit. 

• Science Museum of Minnesota — 120 W. Kellogg Blvd., Saint Paul, MN‍
  • Sensory Friendly Sundays include a quieter museum experience and a lights-up, sound-down Omnitheater show. Ask about their sensory kit at the entrance.
    
    
• The Bakken Museum — 3527 Zenith Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN‍
  • The Bakken Museum offers Sensory Friendly Sundays from 10–11 a.m. on the second Sunday of every month. Features modified programming for diverse sensory needs.
    
    
• Walker Art Center — 725 Vineland Pl., Minneapolis, MN‍
  • On Sensory Friendly Sundays from 8–11 a.m., the galleries will be closed to the general public. This allows visitors to enjoy the museum in a calm environment, with accommodations such as quiet spaces, fidgets, and sunglasses available.
    
    
• Children's Theatre Company — 2400 3rd Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN‍
  • During CTC’s sensory-friendly performances, the audience lights are left on low, and the sound is lower. Noise-reducing headphones, disposable earplugs, and other sensory supports are also available.
    

• Minnesota Orchestra — 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN‍
  • The Minnesota Orchestra’s Sensory-Friendly small ensemble concerts offer fidgets, noise-canceling headphones, and quiet spaces for children who need them.
    

• Bell Museum — 2088 Larpenteur Ave. W., Saint Paul, MN‍
  • One Saturday afternoon a month, Bell Museum offers a sensory-friendly opportunity for families. Visitors are welcome to check out our quiet spaces and borrow sensory support tools like weighted lap pads and hearing protection.
    

• U.S. Bank Stadium — 401 Chicago Ave., Minneapolis, MN‍
  • Guests with autism and sensory processing differences are welcome to enjoy Minnesota Vikings games with sensory-inclusive bags available at Guest Services. Thanks to the sensory-inclusive room inside U.S. Bank Stadium, guests can also take a break from the loud music and crowds when needed.

Zoos & trampoline parks

For families looking for outdoor adventures, these zoos and attractions provide sensory-friendly experiences designed to make visits enjoyable and accessible for children on the autism spectrum:

• Minnesota Zoo — 13000 Zoo Boulevard, Apple Valley, MN‍
  • Prepare for your visit with the free MNZoo4All app, designed to support guests with autism and sensory-processing disorders. The app includes social guides in multiple formats to set expectations and ease anxiety, visual schedules to help plan visits, communication tools, sensory-friendly maps, and additional planning tips.
    
    
• Como Park Zoo — 1225 Estabrook Dr., Saint Paul, MN‍
  • Enjoy a quieter experience at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory with early entry from 9–10 a.m. on select dates. Use the provided social narrative and visual schedule to help prepare for your visit.
    
    
• Urban Air Adventure Park — At participating locations‍
  • A sensory-friendly event designed for children with autism and special needs, featuring a fun-filled environment without loud music or flashing lights.

Accessible shopping experiences

Shopping can be an overwhelming experience for some children, but the following stores in the Twin Cities make it easier for children with autism or sensory challenges to be included:

• Mall of America — 2131 Lindau Lane, Bloomington, MN‍
  • A Certified Autism Center offering sensory-friendly programs at attractions like Nickelodeon Universe, Crayola Experience, and a SEA Life aquarium with trained staff and designated quiet spaces.
    
    
• Build-A-Bear Workshop — At participating locations‍
  • Every Tuesday, for the first hour of opening, children with autism and sensory needs for children to build their own stuffed animals. It consists of minimal lighting and music. Parents can download a step-by-step informational guide that allows them to plan their Workshop experience in advance.
    

• Walmart — All store locations‍
  • Walmart has sensory-friendly shopping hours from 8–10 a.m. local time every day. During these hours, the TV walls display static images, the radios are turned off, and the lights are dimmed. 

Libraries in the Twin Cities

Minneapolis's libraries are more than places to borrow books. They can serve as a community hub with many resources for children with autism. Here is a list of libraries in the Minneapolis region that offer valuable resources to support autism families:

• Saint Paul Public Library — 90 4th St. W., Saint Paul, MN ‍
  • Offers early learning resources and events for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, including interactive storytimes with songs, puppets, and engaging activities.

• Play & Learn Spaces at St. Paul Public Library — Multiple locations in Saint Paul‍
  • Sensory-friendly children’s areas with hands-on play elements and interactive public art inspired by nature found in the Twin Cities.
    

• Ramsey County Library System — Multiple locations 
  • Offers sensory-friendly mornings, which provides a quieter, more adaptive environment for children with sensory needs.

Explore, play, and learn with ABC in Minnesota

Minneapolis and Saint Paul are both doing an amazing job of creating places where every child with autism can play, learn, and explore—at their own pace and in their own way. In addition to the numerous sensory-friendly venues and programs available, families seeking diagnostic support and autism therapy are invited to explore Action Behavior Centers (ABC) in the Twin Cities.

ABC specializes in applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism and has multiple locations throughout Minnesota, including Plymouth, Maple Grove, Shakopee, and Lakeville. Our ABA therapists are dedicated to helping children with autism reach milestone moments through personalized, one-on-one care. 

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