The summer holidays are finally upon us which, although exciting, can also prove daunting for families - particularly for parents of children with complex needs. A massive change in routine, combined with the difficulty of attempting to find accessible activities that the whole family can enjoy, can be tough.
Fortunately, however, with a little preparation and the right resources, you can fill up your summer holidays with fun, inclusive family activities. In this blog, we’ll provide some examples of fun things to do with the family that are appropriate for neurodivergent children, and how to prepare for a family day out to ensure it runs as smoothly as possible.
The Importance of Inclusive Play
Every child, regardless of access needs, should have the opportunity to engage in play as they choose. Uninhibited play brings out the best in children, allowing them to use their imaginations, build their confidence, explore their curiosity and socialise with others.
Some of the key benefits of inclusive play include:
Every child is equal in inclusive play. This is effective in removing stigmas and separation between neurotypical and neurodivergent children from an early age, which ultimately helps to change mindsets and move towards a more inclusive society.
Children become more independent, confident and develop different ways to communicate in inclusive play. Alongside the benefits for SEND children, it can also help neurotypical children become more open to new people and different situations, too.
Outdoor inclusive play alleviates stress, boosts mood and improves wellbeing. It gives children a chance to be physically active, engage with the natural world and, above all, have fun!
For sensorially impaired children, inclusive play can strengthen their other senses and ways to interact with the world around them. Calming spaces can also help neurodivergent children find comfort, and sensory play helps them to develop fine motor skills and gain an understanding of how their bodies work.
Inclusive play helps children learn about risk in a safe, supportive environment, as well as adjust to change and build resilience.
It also helps children develop social and empathy skills, form connections and make friends.
The Best Accessible Family Days Out in the UK
Below, we’ve rounded up a selection of the best accessible destinations and day out ideas for you and your family to try out.
Discover Children’s Story Centre, London
Discover aims to be as accessible as possible to meet the needs of all visitors, with wheelchair access, hearing loops, guides and more.
They also host Mega Mighty Saturday Club for children with varying disabilities, as well as their families or carers. These sessions provide a creative and open atmosphere for exploration, fun and interactivity, where children can partake in storytelling, arts and crafts, music, dance and multi-sensory experiences - all of which are led by trained staff members.
Super Sense, Bristol
Imperial Sports Ground’s Super Sense sensory room – one of the largest sensory rooms in the UK – is specifically developed to provide a safe sanctuary for children with SEND.
The Eden Project, Cornwall
The Eden Project aims to provide a fantastic, educational experience for children of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. They work to make their facilities as accessible as possible for all, and have won multiple awards for accessibility and inclusivity.
From wheelchair access and accessible facilities to guide books for visually impaired guests and sensory experiences, it’s a fun day out for all the family.
Trampoline Parks
There are plenty of trampoline park venues across the UK which offer sessions for children with additional needs, including Jump Rush in Lancashire, Boost Trampoline Parks in Leicester and Northampton, Oxygen Free Jumping in London and Derby and Jump In across the UK.
Vue, Odeon and Other Cinemas
Large cinema brands, such as Vue and Odeon, host dedicated screenings for children with autism and other sensory issues. These screenings feature reduced sound, dimmed lighting and no adverts, and guests are allowed to make noise and move around.
There is also wheelchair accessibility in a majority of screenings, and additional audio and captions can be provided upon request.
Eureka Children’s Museum, Halifax
The Eureka Museum provides through information on their site to help you plan your visit, and offer a number of experiences and assistance for parents of children with physical or hidden disabilities, including wheelchair users, those with hearing and visual impairments and children with autism or sensory conditions.
On top of this, exhibits were designed with advice from disabled people, ensuring that they’re fully accessible. This includes chill out rooms, an ‘extra pair of hands’ service to help children through the venue, Sunday Clubs during the school holidays and more.
Preparing for a Family Day Out with SEND Children
In the lead up to a family day out, it’s important to be as prepared as possible. While you know your child’s needs best and what works for them, there are still some general steps you can take before going out that may help the day run more smoothly.
Checking It’s Accessible
If you’re visiting somewhere for the first time, it’s a good idea to check how accessible the venue is beforehand. You can do this by:
checking their website or researching online for previous visitor’s opinions
contacting the venue or organisation
visiting the venue in person
There are several handy resources online, such as Euan’s Guide or AccessAble, which provide detailed information and reviews about venues around the UK and beyond and how accessible they are for people with varying disabilities.
If you’re planning on travelling to the venue via public transport, it can be useful to book travel assistance, particularly if you:
aren’t sure where you’re going
need help carrying bags and equipment
need help getting on and off
will need a ramp
Social Stories
If your child finds certain social environments overwhelming or distressing, social stories are a great way to help them know what to expect. You can find social stories online or even create your own, which means you can personalise it to your specific family day out or activity.
Finding a Toilet
If your child needs to use an accessible toilet, a Radar Key grants you access to these spaces.
Alternatively, you might be able to locate a Changing Places toilet, which are similar to the average accessible toilet, but are larger and contain more equipment, including:
a fully accessible toilet
a height-adjustable changing bench
a hoisting system
a peninsular toilet
enough space for a disabled person and 2 carers
There are plenty of websites and apps available to help you find your nearest accessible toilet, such as accessaloo, Toilet Map and Flush Toilet Finder.
Children’s Events at Woburn Sands Emporium
Here at Woburn Sands Emporium, we take great care to ensure that all of the family activities and children’s events we offer are as inclusive as possible for children of all abilities to enjoy. From craft events to educational animal experiences and a soft play area, we are constantly striving to improve the accessibility of the experiences we offer, and our helpful staff are always on hand to answer queries or facilitate requests on how we can support your child’s needs.
If you’d like some more information to ensure we’re the right choice for your next family day out, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
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