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Sensory-Friendly Kids

Sensory-Friendly Activities in Charlotte, North Carolina

Looking for sensory-friendly things to do with your kids in Charlotte? We've gathered 9 options across haircuts, museums, movie screenings, play & entertainment, theater & performances, and sensory storytime at libraries. Each one lists the accommodations that matter — quieter times, lighting, headphones, and space to take a break — so you can plan an outing that works.

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Sensory-friendly calendar for Charlotte

Recurring sensory-friendly times in the Charlotte area. Always confirm the exact date and showtime with each place before you go.

Recurring times

  • Discovery Place Science — Sensory-Friendly Hours

    1st Sundays — Sensory-Friendly Hours, before opening

  • Discovery Place Kids — Huntersville (Sensory-Friendly Hours)

    1st Sundays — Sensory-Friendly Hours, 2–4:30pm

  • AMC Sensory Friendly Films

    2nd & 4th Saturdays — family films

  • Cinemark Sensory Friendly Showtimes

    1st Saturdays — morning

  • Chuck E. Cheese Sensory Sensitive Sundays

    1st Sundays — opens 2 hrs early

Next dates

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Sensory-Friendly Haircuts

About sensory-friendly haircuts →

Snip-its (Autism Support)

Documented · confirm locally

Participating Snip-its locations in Charlotte — see official schedule

Sensory features

  • stylists trained in autism support (Autism Speaks program)
  • quiet-time appointments (lights & sound lowered)
  • kid-focused salon
  • extra patience and time
Schedule
By appointment at quieter times; stylists trained through the Autism Speaks program
Cost
Standard kids' haircut pricing
Ages
Kids

Parent tip: Call your local Snip-its and ask for a quiet-time appointment — they schedule these specifically for kids with sensory needs.

Sensory-Friendly Museums

About sensory-friendly museums →

Discovery Place Science — Sensory-Friendly Hours

Documented · confirm locally

301 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Sensory features

  • Sensory-Friendly Hours on the first Sunday each month
  • lower lights and reduced sound
  • quiet spaces and sensory supplies
  • opens early, before general admission
Schedule
Sensory-Friendly Hours on the first Sunday of every month, before general admission
Hours
Sensory-Friendly Hours: first Sunday monthly, before opening — see website
Cost
Included with admission
Ages
All ages

Parent tip: The first-Sunday sensory hours open before general admission and are included with admission — arrive right at the start for the calmest, least-crowded stretch.

Discovery Place Kids — Huntersville (Sensory-Friendly Hours)

Documented · confirm locally

105 Gilead Road, Huntersville, NC 28078

Sensory features

  • Sensory-Friendly Hours, first Sunday monthly (2–4:30pm)
  • calmer, quieter hands-on exhibit spaces
  • sensory backpacks with noise-canceling headphones & fidget toys to borrow
  • welcomes ASD, sensory processing & vision/hearing differences
Schedule
Sensory-Friendly Hours on the first Sunday of each month, 2:00–4:30pm
Hours
Sensory-Friendly Hours: 1st Sunday, 2–4:30pm — see website
Cost
Included with museum admission
Ages
Best for ages 0–10

Parent tip: It's in Huntersville, north of Charlotte — grab a sensory backpack on arrival (limited supply, first-come) during the first-Sunday sensory hours.

Sensory-Friendly Movie Screenings

All sensory-friendly movie screenings in Charlotte →

AMC Sensory Friendly Films

Documented · confirm locally

Participating AMC Theatres locations in Charlotte — see official schedule

Sensory features

  • lights left up
  • sound turned down
  • free to get up, move, talk or sing
  • no trailers before the movie
Schedule
2nd & 4th Saturdays (family films); select Wednesday evenings (mature films)
Cost
Standard ticket price
Ages
All ages

Parent tip: Use the official page to find a participating AMC near you and confirm the title and showtime — films rotate each month.

Regal My Way Matinee (Sensory Friendly)

Documented · confirm locally

Participating Regal Cinemas locations in Charlotte — see official schedule

Sensory features

  • lights turned up
  • volume turned down
  • free to sing, move, talk or dance
  • relaxed theater rules
Schedule
Select matinees at participating Regal locations (see schedule)
Cost
Standard matinee price
Ages
All ages

Parent tip: Search your local Regal on the My Way Matinee page — participating theaters and dates vary by market.

Cinemark Sensory Friendly Showtimes

Documented · confirm locally

Participating Cinemark locations in Charlotte — see official schedule

Sensory features

  • lights left up
  • volume reduced
  • talking and movement welcome
  • calm morning showtime
Schedule
First Saturday morning of each month at participating locations
Cost
Standard ticket price
Ages
All ages

Parent tip: Availability varies by theater — check your nearest Cinemark's page or call to confirm the sensory-friendly showtime.

Sensory-Friendly Play & Entertainment

About sensory-friendly play & entertainment →

Chuck E. Cheese Sensory Sensitive Sundays

Documented · confirm locally

Participating Chuck E. Cheese locations in Charlotte — see official schedule

Sensory features

  • dimmed lighting
  • reduced/quieter sound
  • no flashing effects
  • calmer game room and dining area
  • trained, welcoming staff
Schedule
First Sunday of each month, opening two hours before normal hours
Cost
Standard play/food pricing; no reservation needed
Ages
All ages

Parent tip: Check the participating-locations page first — not every Chuck E. Cheese runs Sensory Sensitive Sundays, and start times can vary.

Sensory-Friendly Theater & Performances

About sensory-friendly theater & performances →

Children's Theatre of Charlotte — Sensory-Friendly Performances

Documented · confirm locally

ImaginOn, 300 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Sensory features

  • sensory-friendly performance offered for select productions
  • designed for children on the autism spectrum and sensory sensitivities
  • fidgets and other sensory objects available
  • relaxed, welcoming theater environment
Schedule
A sensory-friendly performance for select shows (designed for kids on the autism spectrum) — see show calendar
Hours
Sensory-friendly performances on select dates — see website
Cost
Sensory-friendly performance tickets around $18
Ages
Best for kids & families

Parent tip: Performances are at ImaginOn (shared with the library) in Uptown — call the box office at 704-973-2828 to confirm which show has the sensory-friendly performance and to grab fidgets.

Sensory Storytime at Libraries

About sensory storytime at libraries →

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library — Adaptive/Sensory Storytime

Documented · confirm locally

Main Library, 310 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202 (Sensory Storytime at ImaginOn)

Sensory features

  • Adaptive/Sensory Programs for individuals with disabilities
  • Sensory Storytime at ImaginOn for children on the autism spectrum or with sensory needs (up to age 11)
  • calmer, welcoming, judgment-free environment
  • free with the library's programming
Schedule
Adaptive/Sensory programs incl. Sensory Storytime at ImaginOn (for children on the autism spectrum or with sensory needs, up to age 11) — see calendar
Hours
Adaptive/Sensory programs on scheduled dates — see library calendar
Cost
Free
Ages
Best for children up to age 11

Parent tip: The Sensory Storytime is held at ImaginOn (the same building as Children's Theatre of Charlotte) — an easy place to pair a calm library storytime with a sensory-friendly show.