Looking for Sensory-Friendly Activities? Try These 5 Spots in Menomonie, WI

Published: July 21, 2025

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Do you have a child who experiences sensory sensitivities? Outings can sometimes feel overwhelming when loud noises, bright lights, and crowds are involved.

For families looking for a quieter experience, sensory-friendly places can offer a refuge. These spaces adjust their environment to create calm, welcoming experiences.

In Western Wisconsin, along the Red Cedar River and Lake Menomin, the city of Menomonie offers a few hidden gems that provide a peaceful and sensory-considerate experience. Here are five sensory-friendly places for families craving connection without sensory overload.

1. Learn and Play at the Russell J. Rassbach Heritage Museum

Looking for a quieter way to spark curiosity? The Russell J. Rassbach Heritage Museum provides a low-pressure learning environment. With hands-on exhibits exploring local history, it allows kids to thrive on discovery without too much noise or distraction.

Tip for Families: Plan your visit during the morning hours or weekdays for the calmest experience. Call ahead to let the staff know about your needs, and they’ll be happy to provide accommodations for a more relaxed visit.

2. Unwind on the Red Cedar State Trail

If your child feels most at ease in natural surroundings, head to the Red Cedar State Trail. It offers miles of peaceful walking and biking paths along the Red Cedar River. Nature sounds replace city noise, and there’s plenty of space for kids to roam or pause as needed.

Tip for Families: The trail is especially quiet on weekday mornings.

3. Enjoy Low-Key Play at Wakanda Park

With its wide, open green spaces and shaded picnic areas, Wakanda Park is a great spot for families seeking unstructured play in a peaceful environment. It features a playground for active adventures, ball fields and pickleball courts for some low-key competition, and borders scenic Lake Menomin.

Tip for Families: Don’t miss the nearby lakeside beach, another quiet and picturesque spot for relaxing or playing.

4. Explore the Menomonie Public Library

The Menomonie Public Library offers a cozy children’s section, calm lighting, and quiet reading areas. Staff are welcoming and often happy to help create a relaxing experience. The library sometimes offers sensory-friendly story times or special programs.

Tip for Families: Ask about noise-reducing headphones or sensory kits available at the desk.

5. Visit the Mabel Tainter Theater During Sensory-Friendly Shows

The historic Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts occasionally hosts sensory-friendly performances. These shows feature lower volumes, softer lighting, and a more relaxed atmosphere.

Tip for Families: Contact the box office to find out when sensory-friendly events are scheduled or to request accommodations.

Check out our LEARN Behavioral blog on 5 simple play ideas for more sensory-friendly ideas.

Looking for additional support for your child in Menomonie, WI? At Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP), part of LEARN Behavioral, we use science and data to deliver contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, tailored exclusively to your child’s unique needs, behavior, and personality. Learn more about our services in the Menomonie area and contact us today.

A Guide to 5 of Milwaukee’s Sensory-Friendly Venues for Families

Updated On May 28, 2025

Planning everyday outings is something many families do without a second thought.

However, for families with children on the autism spectrum or with sensory challenges, outings can sometimes feel overwhelming. Simple trips to the store, playground, or events can be especially tough for kids who see the world differently.

Some kids on the autism spectrum may experience the world more intensely. For them, bright lights can feel harsh, loud sounds overwhelming, and busy places stressful.

That’s why some families seek out sensory-friendly activities.

Sensory-friendly spaces are areas designed to reduce overwhelming sights, sounds, and other sensory inputs. They often have softer lighting, quieter environments, and calming features to help kids who experience sensory challenges feel more at ease. These spaces are important because they give families a place where their children can feel safe and comfortable, allowing them to enjoy activities without sensory overload.

Here are five places in Milwaukee designed with this in mind.

1. Betty Brinn Children’s Museum

The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum offers sensory-friendly sessions on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. During these sessions, the museum provides a calmer environment with adjusted lighting and sound, allowing children to explore exhibits comfortably. A quiet room is also available, equipped with adjustable lighting, comfortable seating, and sensory toys for those needing a break.

Tip for Families: Reservations are recommended.

2. Marcus Theatres’ Reel Movies for Real Needs

Marcus Theatres hosts the “Reel Movies for Real Needs” program, offering sensory-friendly screenings of current films. These shows feature lower sound levels and brighter lighting to create a comfortable viewing experience. Participating locations in the Milwaukee area include Ridge Cinema in New Berlin and South Shore Cinema in Oak Creek.

Tip for Families: Screenings are typically held on Saturday mornings.

3. Urban Air Adventure Park

Urban Air Adventure Park in Milwaukee West offers Sensory-Friendly Play sessions designed for children with autism and special needs. During these events, the park reduces noise levels and eliminates flashing lights, providing a comfortable environment for children to enjoy various attractions.

Tip for Families: Check the park’s calendar for specific dates and times.

4. First Stage Sensory-Friendly Performances

First Stage offers sensory-friendly theater performances tailored for children who benefit from adjusted sound and lighting. These performances also provide quiet areas staffed by educators experienced with developmental differences.

Tip for Families: The upcoming sensory-friendly performance schedule is available on their website.

5. Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Sensory-Friendly Concerts

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra hosts sensory-friendly concerts designed for individuals with autism or sensory sensitivities. These performances include modifications such as dimmed house lights remaining on, flexible seating, and relaxed house rules for an inclusive experience.

Tip for Families: Visit the Milwaukee Symphony’s KultureCity Venue page here for more about their inclusivity program and to download their app.

Check out our LEARN Behavioral blog on 5 simple play ideas for more sensory-friendly ideas.

Looking for additional support for your child in Milwaukee, Wisconsin? At Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP), part of LEARN Behavioral, we use science and data to deliver contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, tailored exclusively to your child’s unique needs, behavior, and personality. Learn more about our services in Milwaukee and contact us today!

7 Tips for Snow Day Fun

Updated On January 19, 2023

By Karen Callahan

While no one can argue with the fun of traditional activities, such as building snowmen or snow angels, keeping your kiddo occupied throughout an entire snow day while confined to your house might require a few more tricks up your sleeve.

Consider the unique opportunities the snow can provide for you and your kiddo to explore different language concepts, social skills, academic tasks, and leisure activities. Think about bringing what winter has to offer indoors, where it is warm, for a unique way to learn and play together.

To get started, grab a few safe bowls (think plastic Tupperware), some pots, a muffin tin, and a few spoons of different sizes. Fill one bowl with cold water and another with hot water. Throw a big beach towel on the floor and grab some of that white, powdery stuff! Here are seven tips for snow day fun.

Let your child explore, figure out what they like about the activity, and add to what they find fun. If they’re watching you and waiting for what you will do next, you’ve got it right!
In the beginning, don’t demand your child’s attention. Show them some fun ways to play with the snow and “kitchen stuff” and talk about what is happening. “Wow, you smashed the snow!” “Did you see it melt in the hot water?” “You got more snow!” “Stir, stir, stir, good job stirring!”
Language Concepts: Once you’ve got the activity going, use the snow to start talking about fun, related language concepts like hot/cold, wet/dry, and melting/frozen.
Social Skills: Take turns using the spoons, stirring, and playing. Encourage and model social skills by commenting about the activity and what you or your child enjoy. “Watch it melt!” “Wow, that is cold!” “I like playing in the snow!”
Academic Tasks: Discuss weather, precipitation, seasons, and states of matter (solid, liquid, gas). Use your muffin tin and practice counting as you fill each cup.
Leisure Skills: Feel free to step away from the activity and let your child dig in on their own. Sustaining a play activity and incorporating newly learned play skills modeled by an adult play a crucial role in learning.
Be sure to set boundaries about where the snow must stay. We suggest prompting all snow activity back to the area of the beach towel.

Most importantly, have fun and enjoy this new experience!