Skip to content
Sensory-Friendly Kids

Sensory-Friendly Activities in Salt Lake City, Utah

Looking for sensory-friendly things to do with your kids in Salt Lake City? We've gathered 10 options across museums, movie screenings, play & entertainment, zoos, aquariums & attractions, sensory storytime at libraries, and shopping. 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.

Searching a specific neighborhood? Filter by zip code →

Map: sensory-friendly places in Salt Lake City

The 4 local venues we've researched near Salt Lake City — tap a pin for details. National programs (movies, Walmart hours, and more) are in the list below and use their own location finders.

Loading map…

Upcoming sensory-friendly events near Salt Lake City

Recurring sensory-friendly times in the Salt Lake City area, with the next dates worked out for you. Always confirm the exact date and showtime with each place before you go.

Recurring times

  • Discovery Gateway Children's Museum — Sensory Inclusive Sessions

    Every Sunday — Sensory Inclusive Session, 10am–noon; Every Monday — Sensory Inclusive Session, 3–6pm

  • 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

  • Loading upcoming dates…

Get sensory-friendly events near Salt Lake City

New sensory-friendly screenings, quiet hours, and family events land all the time. Get an occasional email with what's coming up near you — no spam, and you can unsubscribe in one click.

We use your email only to send sensory-friendly event updates. Read our privacy note.

Sensory-Friendly Museums

About sensory-friendly museums →

Discovery Gateway Children's Museum — Sensory Inclusive Sessions

Documented · confirm locally

444 W 100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Sensory features

  • Sensory Inclusive Sessions: every Sunday (10am–noon) & every Monday (3–6pm)
  • dimmed lights, lower volume and reduced stimulation
  • KultureCity partner; sensory bags at the front desk any day
  • free entry to sensory sessions with registration (sponsored)
Schedule
Sensory Inclusive Sessions every Sunday 10am–noon and every Monday 3–6pm (dimmed lights, lower volume)
Hours
Sensory Inclusive Sessions: Sun 10am–noon & Mon 3–6pm
Cost
Free during Sensory Inclusive Sessions (registration required)
Ages
Best for ages 0–10

Parent tip: The Sunday-morning and Monday-afternoon sensory sessions are free with registration — register ahead, and you can also ask for a KultureCity sensory bag at the front desk any day.

Sensory-Friendly Movie Screenings

All sensory-friendly movie screenings in Salt Lake City →

AMC Sensory Friendly Films

Documented · confirm locally

Participating AMC Theatres locations in Salt Lake City — 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 Salt Lake City — 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 Salt Lake City — 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 Salt Lake City — 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.

Sky Zone — Sensory Hours

Documented · confirm locally

Participating Sky Zone Trampoline Park locations in Salt Lake City — see official schedule

Sensory features

  • quieter music and reduced overhead noise
  • Calm Down Zone with sensory toys
  • visual cues placed around the park
  • participating locations only — confirm with your local park
Schedule
Sensory Hours at participating parks — days and times vary by location
Cost
See your local park for Sensory Hour pricing
Ages
Kids & teens

Parent tip: Call your nearest Sky Zone or check its local page for the next Sensory Hours session — participation varies by park, so always confirm before promising the trip.

Sensory-Friendly Zoos, Aquariums & Attractions

About sensory-friendly zoos, aquariums & attractions →

Utah's Hogle Zoo — Sensory Backpacks

Documented · confirm locally

2600 Sunnyside Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84108

Sensory features

  • free sensory backpacks at Guest Services (autism/SPD/developmental-disabilities kit)
  • noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys & nonverbal communication cards
  • laminated list of all sensory exhibits at the zoo
  • ZooLights Silent Night sensory-friendly evening (seasonal)
Hours
See website for current hours
Cost
General admission; sensory backpacks free to borrow (leave a license)
Ages
All ages

Parent tip: Check out a free sensory backpack at Guest Services (you'll leave a license) — it includes a laminated list of the zoo's sensory exhibits so you can plan your route.

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium — Sensory Nights

Documented · confirm locally

12033 S Lone Peak Pkwy, Draper, UT 84020

Sensory features

  • free Sensory Nights run with Utah autism organizations
  • one of the largest aquariums in the country
  • stingray touch pool with a no-touch option
  • calm, dim galleries between the busy zones
Hours
See website for current hours
Cost
Sensory Night events free (see calendar); standard admission otherwise
Ages
All ages

Parent tip: It is in Draper, 20 minutes south of Salt Lake — watch the Autism Council of Utah calendar for the free sensory nights, which book up quickly.

Sensory Storytime at Libraries

About sensory storytime at libraries →

Salt Lake County Library — Sensory Storytime (All Ability)

Documented · confirm locally

Salt Lake County Library — All Ability programs at branches countywide (see slcolibrary.org)

Sensory features

  • Sensory Storytime created specifically for children on the autism spectrum (siblings welcome)
  • dimmer lighting and quieter music than a standard storytime
  • tangible storytelling — felt boards, figures, movement, bubbles and manipulatives
  • part of the library's 'All Ability' inclusive programming
Schedule
Sensory Storytime / All Ability programs at branches across Salt Lake County — see the events calendar for dates and locations
Hours
Sensory Storytime / All Ability programs on scheduled dates — see slcolibrary.org events
Cost
Free
Ages
Best for young children (siblings & all welcome)

Parent tip: Filter the County Library's events calendar by 'All Ability' to find the next Sensory Storytime near you — the tangible felt-board storytelling is a favorite for concrete thinkers.

Sensory-Friendly Shopping

About sensory-friendly shopping →

Walmart — Daily Sensory-Friendly Hours

Documented · confirm locally

Participating Walmart locations in Salt Lake City — see official schedule

Sensory features

  • radio and overhead audio turned off
  • TV walls set to a calm static image
  • lights lowered where possible
  • quietest, least-crowded hours of the day
Schedule
Every day, 8–10am local time at U.S. Walmart stores
Cost
Free — regular shopping
Ages
All ages

Parent tip: The 8–10am window is company-wide and permanent, so you can build it into a weekly routine — checkout scanners still beep, so pack the headphones for the register.

More sensory-friendly ideas in Salt Lake City

These are general approaches that work well in most towns — handy when your options nearby are limited. They are ideas to try, not verified venues, so call ahead to confirm times and accommodations before you go.

  • Library sensory storytime & quiet hours

    Most public library branches run quieter morning sessions and some host a sensory or "relaxed" storytime. Call your nearest branch and ask what they offer this month.

  • Parks, trails & botanic gardens at off-peak

    Open green space is naturally low-stimulation. Go right after opening or late afternoon on a weekday to skip crowds, and scope out a quiet bench to use as a reset spot.

  • Supermarket "quiet hour"

    Several major grocery chains dim lights and cut music for a weekly low-sensory hour (often a weekday morning). Ask the customer-service desk whether your local store takes part.

  • Pools & rec centres — relaxed sessions

    Council pools and leisure centres sometimes hold quieter family or "all-abilities" swim sessions. Ring ahead and ask for the least busy times if there isn't a dedicated session.

  • Trampoline & play centres at quiet times

    Indoor play, bowling and trampoline parks are loudest after school and on weekends. Many offer toddler or sensory sessions earlier in the day — ask before you book.

  • Cinema sensory screenings

    The big cinema chains run regular sensory-friendly screenings (lights up, sound down). Check the movies section above, or ask any local cinema when their next one is scheduled.

Sensory-friendly activities in Salt Lake City: FAQ

What sensory-friendly activities are there in Salt Lake City?

We've gathered 10 sensory-friendly and autism-friendly options in Salt Lake City, UT across museums, movie screenings, play & entertainment, zoos, aquariums & attractions, sensory storytime at libraries, and shopping. Each listing shows the specific accommodations — quieter times, lighting, headphones, and space to take a break — alongside hours, cost, and age range.

How do I find sensory-friendly events near me this weekend in Salt Lake City?

Check the "Upcoming sensory-friendly events near Salt Lake City" calendar near the top of this page. It lists recurring sensory-friendly times — like monthly sensory-friendly movie screenings and play sessions — with the next concrete dates worked out, including anything coming up this week or this weekend. Always confirm the exact date and time with the venue before you go.

Are sensory-friendly activities in Salt Lake City free?

Many are. Sensory-friendly movie screenings and play sessions are usually priced the same as a regular visit, and a lot of museum sensory mornings, library sensory storytimes, and inclusive playgrounds are free or run on standard admission. Each listing's cost line tells you what to expect.

Build a sensory kit for days out

The small kit that makes any outing easier — packed once and ready to grab on the way out the door.

As an Amazon Associate, Sensory-Friendly Kids earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. We only suggest gear that genuinely helps. See all sensory gear we recommend →

Sensory-friendly activities in cities near Salt Lake City