Sensory Resources for Visitors

The Museum Sensory Room is designed to meet a variety of sensory needs.  

• There are touchable objects and coloring pages for all ages.  

• There is a quiet video corner and a reading corner, as well as semi-enclosed quiet nooks for visitors who want more privacy and quiet. The walls are lined with acoustic panels for sound dampening inside the space.  

• Throughout the room, there are a variety of seating options, including couches, spinning chairs, beanbags, and floor mats. Weighted pillows, noise-dampening headphones, and fidget tools are available for visitors to borrow inside the room.

This is a neurodiversity-affirming, sensory-friendly space.  

Stimming (repeated movements and behavior) are welcome in this room, and “calm bodies” are not required. We ask that all visitors using the Sensory Room follow these guidelines: 

• Please spend no more than 20 minutes at a time in the Sensory Room to make space for others. 

• There may be other people in this space with you. Please be respectful of others and their needs. 

• Share things in this room with others. 

• Put things back where you found them, and leave the room how you found it when you arrived. 

• No phone calls are allowed in this room. If you are using a phone or tablet with sound, you must use headphones. 

• No food or drink is allowed. 

Yes, the inside of the Sensory Room is accessible for visitors who use wheelchairs or who have other mobility needs.

The door to the Sensory Room does not have an automatic door opener, but a volunteer posted outside of the Sensory Room can assist with opening the door as needed.

This guide contains information about the sensory environment at the American Museum of Natural History.

Each Museum floor has its own map, intended to be a quick, at-a-glance reference for high- and low- sensory areas in the Museum. Each map is followed by a more detailed breakdown of the sensory environments on that floor. Use this guide to plan your visit according to your own sensory needs.

© AMNH

Sensory Bags are available to all visitors at the Museum. These drawstring backpacks contain tools to support a range of sensory needs, including: 

• Noise-reducing headphones (size adjustable) 
• Fidget tools 
• Adult-sized sunglasses (child-sized also available) 

Visitors can check out a Sensory Bag from the Membership Desks located at any Museum entrance, as well as at the: 

• Hayden Planetarium Space Show 
• Invisible Worlds Immersive Experience 
• LeFrak Theater 
• 4th Floor Information Desk 

Visitors are expected to return their Sensory Bags at the end of their visit. 

To provide feedback or ask questions about the Sensory Bags, please email [email protected] or call 212-769-5200.

This social narrative provides step-by-step information about what it is like to visit the American Museum of Natural History. If you would like more information about what to expect from your visit that is not included in the social narrative, email [email protected] or call 212-769-5200. 

AMNH Social Narrative

Discovery Squad is an engaging, hands-on program designed for neurodivergent children ages 5-12 and their families; this includes autistic children, as well as children with other intellectual or developmental disabilities. 

Before the Museum opens to the public, families can attend a 45-minute tour of select halls that fit the theme of that month’s program, followed by 45 minutes of free play and exploration in the Discovery Room. Participants can expect a sensory-friendly, neurodiversity-affirming experience where curiosity is welcomed in all its forms.  

Upcoming Tours 

• Saturday, May 16, 9-10:30 am - Dinosaurs
• Saturday, June 20, 9-10:30 am - Mammals

Price: Free
Advance tickets required.

Get Tickets »

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or call 212-769-5200.

Discovery Squad was developed in collaboration with the Seaver Autism Center at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. 

Relaxed Astronomy is a relaxed and sensory-friendly version of our Astronomy Live program, in which Museum astrophysicists provide family-friendly guided tours of the universe. 

This program is designed for a neurodiverse youth audience, including autistic children and children with other intellectual/developmental disabilities.  

These modified Hayden Planetarium programs features: 

• Floor lighting
• Reduced volume
• A break space for participants who need to step out during the program, and opportunity to exit and re-enter during the program
• Sensory tools, such as headsets and stress balls, for participants
• A relaxed environment where all forms of curiosity and participation are welcome!  

Upcoming Dates: 

• 2026 dates will be announced in January

The Hayden Planetarium screens a sensory-friendly version of our Space Show, where school groups can get the full planetarium experience in a more relaxed sensory environment.

These screenings feature a reduced audience size, lowered sound volume, raised lights, and a chill-out zone to make the experience more accessible for visitors with sensory sensitivities. While Sensory-Friendly Space Show screenings are specifically designed to meet the needs of neurodivergent students, all are welcome!

Sensory friendly Space Shows take place at 10:30 am on the third Wednesday of most months. 

Upcoming Dates: 

• November 19, 2025
• December 17, 2025
• January 21, 2026
• March 18, 2026
• April 15, 2026
• May 20, 2026
• June 17, 2026

To book a field trip that includes the sensory friendly Space Show, please follow steps on the Field Trips page.