Sensory Friendly Santa events, (and Caring Santa Events) are designed to make a visit with Santa less stressful for children who have special needs. Lights are dimmed, music is turned off, and crowds are kept to a minimum. Here is a list of Sensory Friendly Santa events that will happen in December.
On December 1, 2012: The Therapeutic Recreation Activity Center, which is located in Bridgewater, New Jersey, will have Santa come to visit. He will visit from noon until 3:00 in the afternoon. There will be an opportunity for kids to meet with Santa and have a photo taken. Activities will be available so kids will not have to stand in line.
On December 2, 2012: The South Hills Mall which is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, will have a Caring Santa Event. It will take place on the Lower Level North Court starting at 9:00 in the morning and ending at 10:30 in the morning. The program is guided by AbilityPath.
On December 2, 2012: The Northlake Mall which is located in Atlanta, Georgia, will have a Caring Santa event. It will start at 9:00 in the morning and last through 11:00 in the morning. It will take place before the mall is open to crowds of customers.
On December 2, 2012: The Great Lakes Mall, which is located in Mentor, Ohio, will have a Caring Santa event. It is for families that have children with special needs. The event will start at 9:00 in the morning and will end at 10:30 in the morning. Attendees should enter the mall through the food court doors on the morning of the event.
On December 2, 2012: The Indian Mound Mall, which is located in Heath, Ohio, will have a Sensory Friendly Santa event. It will start at 8:00 in the morning and end at 10:00 in the morning. Lights will be lowered and the surroundings will be quieter. Kids can get a free photo with Santa.
On December 9, 2012: Mission Fitness, which is located in Odessa, Texas, will have a Sensory Santa event. The even will start at 2:00 in the afternoon and end at 5:00 in the evening. The event is for families of children who have autism or other sensory challenges.
On December 11 and December 12, 2012: The Naperville Park District, which is located in Naperville, Illinois, will have two nights set aside for children who have special needs to visit Santa at his house on the Riverwalk. It will be open from 5:00 in the evening through 8:00 at night.
On Saturdays and Sundays: Morgan’s Wonderland, which is located in San Antonio, Texas, will have a North Pole attraction. Visitors to the special-needs friendly playground can come visit with Santa every Saturday and Sunday from December 2, 2012 through December 22, 2012. The park will stay open until 9:00 at night. Santa can be found within the North Pole attraction in Santa’s Living Room.
Image by Matti Mattila on Flickr