With International Day of People with Disability just around the corner, we’ve been on the hunt to bring you some great inclusive activities to try this summer with your children. From movie days to beach days, there’s something for everyone!
Sensory Movie Day
When: Held monthly on a Sunday
Address: Various locations
Age Group: 3+
Price: From $6
Event Cinemas hold a sensory-friendly screening of movies every month on a selected Sunday. These viewings usually have adjusted lighting and the volume control. Audience members are free to get out of their seats and move around the theatre, allowing families to enjoy their favourite films in a safe and accepting environment. Check out Event Cinemas here, for the latest listings. If you don’t live near an Events Cinema, Hoyts and the Ritz Randwick also have sensory viewings, visit their websites for more details.
Join a Sportability Club
When: Weekly club on Sundays from 10am to 11.30am
Address: Church Street Lidcombe, NSW 2141
Age Group: 5-18 years old
Price: $40 per session or $300 for 8 sessions
Sportability Clubs deliver a range of sports activities for children aged 5-18yrs with disability, every Sunday. This includes people with learning difficulties and physical or sensory impairments. A great way to get your children involved in a sport to build on their confidence and build lasting friendships. Find out more information here.
Shine Shed, North West Syndey
When: All summer long
Address: Unit 1, 16 Rob Place, Vineyard NSW 2765
Age group: All Ages
Price: From $16.50
The Shine Shed provides an inclusive place for children of all sensory needs. The play centre provides an environment that enables highly active children or those with needs a place to play, explore and make friends. Within the play shed there is also a sensory cubby house, with adjusted lighting and volume control to ensure all users are comfortable.
Attend the AFEA Family Fun Day at Sydney Zoo
When: Dec 3, 2022
Address: Sydney Zoo 700 Great Western Highway Bungarribee, NSW 2767
Age Group: 4+
Price: From $20
In partnership with AFEA, Sydney Zoo is celebrating the International Day of People with Disability with a special Family Fun Day! General admission tickets are $20. The zoo has been designed as an inclusive space for all, expect to see a ferris wheel, face painting, and keeper talks, along with all your favourite animals. Find out more here.
Tathra Surf Club
When: All summer long
Address: 6 Andy Poole Dr, Tathra, New South Wales, 2550 Australia
Age Group: 4+
Price: Free
Summer is coming and a beach day is the perfect day out for children of all ages and abilities. Tathra Surf Club has a beach wheelchair hire program, allowing all children to access the beach and enjoy some fun in the sun! We strongly recommend booking in advance as this is a popular spot during the summer months. Speak to a Tathra SLSC patroller at the Surf Club about getting access or pre-book through [email protected]
Bondi Beach
When: All summer long
Address: Bondi Beach, NSW 2026
Age Group: All
Price: Free
Bondi, Sydney’s most famous beach, also offers a wheelchair hire service allowing everyone to enjoy their white sand. Their wheelchairs can also be used in the water, get your children down to Bondi to make a splash this summer. Find out more here.
Tathra Inclusive Playspace
When: All summer long
Address: Andy Poole Drive Tathra NSW 2550 Australia
Age Group: All ages welcome
Price: Free
Tathra all-abilities playground is a fun and inclusive place for all children to play. Swing in the giant swinging basket, bounce on the trampoline and fly through the air on the flying fox – Tathra has it all. The entire playground has been designed in accordance with NSW everyone can play guidelines. Remember to pack a picnic and sit at the inclusive picnic benches!
Rashays Punchbowl
When: Every Wednesday from 5-6pm
Address: Shop 28, 1-9, Broadway, Punchbowl NSW 2196
Age Group: All age groups
Price: Varies
Looking for a summer dinner spot for you and your children? The first of its kind in NSW, Rashays Punchbowl has a sensory hour between 5-6pm every Wednesday. The lights in the restaurant are dimmed and electronics and noisy machinery are turned off to allow children to eat in a comfortable environment.
Auslan Storytime
When: All summer long
Address: online
Age group: 3-5 years old
Price: Free
This one’s for the days where it’s hard to get out of the house. The City of Sydney library regularly publishes a Auslan and English Storytime video on their website. Their Storytime is a fun session of storytelling for preschoolers. These videos are recorded in partnership with the Deaf Society and are suitable for deaf and hearing children. Find out more here.
