At Thinkery, we are committed to inspiring and equipping ALL children to be confident, creative thinkers and cultivate a lifelong love of learning so they thrive. A key part of that commitment is ensuring that everyone feels a sense of belonging. We strive to create an inclusive, welcoming environment where every child and family can learn, play, and grow together.
To ensure our Thinkery – Meredith Learning Lab spaces are accessible to everyone, we offer a variety of sensory-friendly resources and experiences designed to support different sensory needs.
Thinkery Sensory-Friendly Backpacks
Enhance your visit with Thinkery’s sensory-friendly backpacks, thoughtfully designed to create a more comfortable experience for individuals with sensory sensitivities. Each backpack includes:
- Noise-canceling headphones
- A 5-minute timer
- Adult and child-sized sunglasses
- Two sensory items for tactile engagement
- Thinkery’s social story: prepares visitors for what to expect when visiting the Meredith Learning Lab.
These backpacks are available with General Admission tickets—just ask our team at check-in!
Sensory-Friendly Field Trips
We recognize that traditional field trip settings can be overwhelming for some students. That’s why we offer sensory-friendly field trips on the first Tuesday of every month. These trips are structured like our typical school-year field trips but with a much more limited capacity to better accommodate students with higher sensory needs. This allows children to explore, play, and learn in a more comfortable environment.
Quiet Spaces at Thinkery
Sometimes, taking a break is just what’s needed. We offer a few spaces to decompress throughout the museum:
- Thinkery’s Quiet Room – Our designated quiet space is located upstairs. This private room is ideal for nursing, decompressing, or simply stepping away from the hustle and bustle of a children’s museum.
- Light Lab Gallery – A dimly lit space that is typically quieter than other galleries, offering a calming atmosphere.
- Under the Stairs – A tucked-away spot where families can take a moment to sit and reset before jumping back into the fun.
At Thinkery, we are always striving to create an environment where every child and family can feel comfortable and supported. We hope these sensory-friendly resources help make your visit as enjoyable and accessible as possible! Learn more about our museum’s accessibility and resources.