Sensory-Friendly Santa Visits for Kids
Champaign-Urbana Santa meet-and-greet opportunities that are designed to be sensory-friendly for kids.
Santa visits can be stressful for many children. The noise, the crowds, the slow-moving lines — these are hard for most children. Adults and children alike that struggle with their reaction to bright lights, loud noises, and unexpected touch may avoid these activities altogether.
However, the Champaign-Urbana area has fantastic resources available for children wishing to see the man in red. Below, we’ve listed sensory-friendly Santa meet-and-greet opportunities that are available around the Champaign-Urbana area this holiday season. Editor’s Note: A few have registration deadlines: see below.
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Dec. 5, 4-6 p.m.: CU Autism Network and Crisis Nursery Sensory Friendly Shopping Event offers a sensory friendly shopping experience event where children can do their holiday shopping for everyone on their list. Families will be asked to bring a donation to the Crisis Nursery. Donation items can be found at crisisnursery.net
Dec. 8, 2:30-3:30 p.m.: At Stephens Family YMCA, sensory friendly Santa visits will take place in the community room. No registration is necessary and this event is open to members and non-members of the YMCA.
Dec. 15, 9-11 a.m.: CU Autism Network Sensory Friendly Breakfast with Santa includes pancakes, sausage, fruit, and beverages. Children will be able to decorate cookies, craft ornaments, and have their photo taken with Santa. Please RSVP before November 25, 2019.
Dec. 14, 1-3:30 p.m.: Disability Resources & Educational Services at UIUC Holiday Party Open House is hosted by Delta Sigma Omicron (DSO), the disability service organization at the University of Illinois, C-U Special Recreation, and AMBUCS and is open to all children with disabilities and their families in the Champaign-Urbana area. Please RSVP before November 30, 2019.
Dec. 14, 9:30-11:30 a.m.: Down Syndrome Network Holiday Party open to members of the Champaign County Down Syndrome Network and their families.
Looking for more information on resources for children and individuals with special needs in our community? Be sure to check out the Chambanamoms.com Resource Guide for Special Needs here. Are we missing your sensory friendly Santa event? Be sure to email us and let us know!
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