Thriving Through the Summer (Part 4): SEN friendly activities / events

Summer can be a beautiful time for families, but if you’re raising or caring for a child with Special Educational Needs (SEN), the summer holidays can sometimes feel more overwhelming than exciting.

That’s why in Part 4 of our Thriving Through the Summer series, we’re focusing on SEN-friendly activities and events in the West Midlands. We’ve scoured the internet to find autism and sensory friendly sessions – so you don’t have to! All that’s left to do is explore the list and have fun!

1. Quiet / Sensory-Friendly Museums & Educational Visits

• Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum – Sensory Friendly Sessions

Held regularly throughout the summer, these sessions offer hands-on science with dimmed lighting, low crowd numbers, and quieter exhibits tailored for SEN families. View the sensory map online which highlights the sensory friendly areas of the museum.

https://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/thinktank/visit/accessibility 

• Birmingham Museums (BMAG) – Autism‑Friendly Mornings

Calm, pre‑booked mornings at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, with crowd-control and sensory-aware staff.

birminghammuseums.org.uk/bmag 

• MAC (Midlands Arts Centre), Birmingham

Offers relaxed performances and sensory-friendly workshops for kids with additional needs. The creative arts sessions are great for children who enjoy tactile and visual stimulation in a calm environment.

macbirmingham.co.uk

• Black Country Living Museum, Dudley

The museum has quiet days and sensory-friendly family events with hands-on activities designed for SEN children to engage at their own pace. They also provide resources and quiet zones on-site. bclm.co.uk

2. SEN Play and Active Sessions and Soft Play

• Little Lobsters SEN Soft Play – Dudley

This smaller, quieter play centre runs dedicated SEN sessions with reduced capacity, lower noise levels, and calm sensory zones. 

Call for booking: 01384 77004

• Junglebugs SEN Stay & Play – Walsall

Held every Tuesday during the holidays, this is a space where children can play freely, with staff trained in SEN support and understanding. There’s even a sensory room for wind-down time.

Call for info: 01922 452489

• SeN Zone – Various locations

Some of the activities they have gotten up to are farm visits, forest schools, animal encounters, horse riding, local businesses providing children provisions like sensory play, tuff tray activities, outside playground facilities and so much more!

https://senzone.co.uk/

• Messy Beanz – Warwick

Messy play and sensory session for children with special educational needs and disabilities age 3+ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551126449428 

• Ladybug Lodge – Coventry and surrounding areas

Ladybug Lodge provide accessible activities, events and recreational opportunities for children and young people with SEND whilst providing support, information and advice to parents and carers

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554915976411

• Quirky Kids – Nuneaton

Quirky Kids is a friendly group offering support, groups and events; to include a holiday club, zumba, music games, and disco.

https://searchout.warwickshire.gov.uk/…/quirky-kids…

• Bedworth RFC – Bedworth

Fitness training every other Sunday for children with additional needs

https://www.facebook.com/Bedworthjuniors

• SEN Shots Basketball – Kenilworth

SEN Inclusive Basketball! Ages 5-17 Years. Created by SEN parents, led by DBS Basketball England Coaches & staff. ALL Abilities welcome, no diagnosis needed, Sensory free ball play to Drills & Games!

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556481286538

• Ackers Adventure – Birmingham

SEN sessions available for climbing, bell-boating and climbing. https://ackers.cinolla.com/ackers/category/send 

• Steph’s Swim School –  Lutterworth

The team has a lot of experience teaching and supporting people with additional needs, both physical and intellectual. The locations are quiet and perfect for reducing outside factors that might make swimming inaccessible in larger settings. 

https://www.stephswimschool.co.uk/ 

• Rush Trampoline Park – Kings Norton

Every Monday 6–7 pm; no loud music and capped attendance—carers go free https://www.rushuk.com/high-wycombe-trampoline-park/sessions/autism-special-needs-sen/

• Flip Out Trampoline Arena – Sandwell

Tuesdays from 6PM to 7PM. Music is turned down and disco lights turned off. https://www.flipout.co.uk/locations/sandwell/prices 

• Gravity Trampoline Park – Star City, Birmingham

They offer dedicated SEN sessions where the entire park is made exclusively available to individuals with special educational needs and disabilities.

https://gravity-global.com/active/birmingham/activities/sen-sessions 

• Inflata Nation – Stretchford, West Bromich

Half‑capacity bounce, soft music, free carer entry; juice and biscuits included https://www.inflatanation.com/classes/sen-friendly/ 

• The Buzz Inflatable Adventure – Worcester

During your visit you’ll have full access to all of the bouncing areas that The Buzz has to offer. These sessions are designed to offer a relaxed atmosphere, with low lighting, and mellow music.

https://thebuzzworcester.co.uk/sensory-hour/ 

• Bowling – Acocks Green

If requested in advance by the booking party, they are able to offer sensory-friendly sessions with reduced noise levels, dimmed lighting, and a quieter environment to accommodate those with sensory sensitivities. 

https://acocksgreenbowl.com/sen/ 

3.  SEN-Friendly Classes & Workshops

• Wholesome Hedgehog Yoga – Warwick

Béa is a Special Yoga Practitioner – Autism & ADHD, having trained with Jyoti Jo Manuel and the Special Yoga Team on the foundation course in Special Yoga and Mindfulness for Autism and ADHD (SYMA).

https://www.wholesomehedgehog.com/children-families 

• Music Therapy & Drumming Workshops

Places like Music for Autism and West Midlands Music Therapy provide group and individual music sessions designed to engage and soothe SEN children, fostering communication and confidence.

musicforautism.org.uk

• Orchestra of the Swan Community Music Sessions – Selly Oak, Birmingham

This event is designed to support people with complex disabilities, offering an immersive journey into the world of classical music. https://www.sense.org.uk/shop/online-shop/orchestra-of-the-swan-community-music-sessions-2025/ 

• Unbounded Theatre – The Core Solihull

Weekly non-verbal physical theatre group for young people aged 11-19 with disabilities. https://www.thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk/whats-on/all-shows/unbounded-theatre/27073 

• Embody Dance – Nuneton

Embody Dance is an inclusive, friendly and supportive dance school  https://www.embodydance.co.uk/ 

• Gymnastics – Selly Oak, Birmingham

These Gymnastics sessions allow participants to use different gymnastics equipment such as trampolines, foam pits, and soft floor based equipment. These relaxed sessions allow participants to explore gymnastics in an unstructured way, with the support of a qualified gymnastics / trampolining coach.

https://www.sense.org.uk/shop/online-shop/gymnastics-birmingham/ 

4. Outdoor and Nature Based Adventures

• Sandwell Valley Country Park – Sensory Trail

Explore nature at your own pace. The sensory trail is a lovely, quiet walk designed for engagement through smell, touch, and sight. Great for low-pressure days when your child just needs space.

sandwell.gov.uk+5sandwellvalley.com+5sandwellvalley.com+5.

• Forge Mill Farm

Interact with friendly animals; includes trail, farm shop, and barn café—quiet and engaging  https://www.forgemillfarm.com/ 

• Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Large, accessible gardens with quiet areas, sensory trails, and the option to explore different textures and scents. Sensory backpacks are sometimes available to help guide SEN children around.
birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk

• Winterbourne House & Garden, Birmingham

Botanical gardens and historic house with sensory trails and quiet zones, ideal for calm exploring and outdoor learning. winterbourne.org.uk

• Kingsbury Water Park

Has sensory-friendly picnic spots, gentle walking trails, and bird watching hides. Great for families needing space and calm outdoor

kingburywaterpark.co.uk

• The Beacon Countryside Centre, Worcestershire

Calm environment with sensory gardens, woodland trails, and occasional SEN events and workshops. worcestershire.gov.uk 

• Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA)– Various Locations

Horse riding can be incredibly calming for some children. Many centres offer SEN-specific sessions and are happy to chat with you about your child’s needs beforehand.

https://rda.org.uk/about-us/ 

• The Animal Sanctuary – Redditch

SEN sessions available. It’s a perfect chance to enjoy some fresh air, meet friendly animals, and make new friends, all in a relaxed, supportive environment.

www.theanimalsanctuary.co.uk 

• Sedgley Adventure Centre – Dudley

Experience Mini Golf, bond with our friendly farm animals, or embrace the outdoors in our forestry fun sessions. https://sedgleyadventurecentre.co.uk/schools%2C-groups-%26-sen 

5. SEN Friendly Cinemas & Theatre

• Odeon & Cineworld – Autism Friendly Screenings

Held on Sunday mornings, these screenings have lower volume, no trailers, and allow children to move around freely. A great way to enjoy the big screen in a relaxed setting.

help.odeon.co.uk 

• Cineworld Autism-Friendly Screenings

Similar adjustments at multiple cinemas across the region  unlimited.cineworld.co.uk 

• Other Chains (Vue, Showcase, Picturehouse, Everyman)

Monthly relaxed screenings with low volume, lighting adjustments, and freedom to move  reddit.com+3autismfriendly.uk+3dimensions-uk.org+3motherandbaby.com.

• The Birmingham Rep – Relaxed Performances

Throughout the summer, The Rep offers relaxed theatre shows—meaning house lights stay on, you can leave and re-enter freely, and the atmosphere is understanding and welcoming.

birmingham-rep.co.uk 

• The Old Rep

Some of the events at The Old Rep offer relaxed performances.

https://www.oldrep.co.uk/accessibility/#1746615339745-d503fcf2-edf7 

6. Larger Attractions with SEN Offers

• Cadbury World – Relaxed SEN Sessions

Scheduled quieter visits with calm atmosphere and sensory supports on selected dates 

cadburyworld.co.uk

• LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, West Midlands

Offers quiet mornings with lower crowd volumes and sensory guides to help prepare children for the experience. Staff are trained to support SEN visitors.

https://www.legolanddiscoverycentre.com/birmingham/plan-your-visit/information/accessibility-guide/ 

• West Midlands Safari Park

Offers accessibility supports, sensory planning, and relaxed ride access https://www.wmsp.co.uk/accessibility

• Drayton Manor Theme Park

Access Bands, priority boarding, and accessible facilities for guests with additional needs  https://www.draytonmanor.co.uk/plan-your-visit/accessibility

• National Sea Life Centre Birmingham

Occasional ‘quiet hours’ with limited crowds and calm atmosphere. https://www.visitsealife.com/birmingham/plan-your-visit/information/accessibility-guide/ 

How to Use This List

Call or check websites for exact session dates and booking links. Ask about access support, such as CEA card use, carer tickets, sensory kits etc

Top Tips

• Book early as these sessions often fill up fast!
• Pre-book SEN sessions wherever possible.
• Visit during off-peak times when possible, even outside official ‘SEN sessions’.
• Pack comfort items: headphones, snacks, toys.
• Arrive early or at quieter times.
• Don’t hesitate to leave early if needed.
• Use visual schedules to prepare children for visits.

We’ll be back soon with Part 5—but for now, we’d love to hear from you:  What’s your favourite SEN-friendly place in the West Midlands? Drop it in the comments below!