SENSORY SUNDAYS
Our next Sensory Sunday is March 16 at 2 PM!
Registration for March Sensory Sunday will open in February. Please check back then for more information on how to register!
Sensory Sundays are designed for guests of all ages who are neurodivergent, have sensory access needs, and/or have a difficult time in large groups or museum settings.
Visitors, caregivers, family members, and aides can join us for an afternoon of:
- Exploring the exhibit galleries, zoo, and playground
- Guided science activities and Animal Encounters
- Varied sensory experiences with keyed map
- Sensory support kits available for use
- Designated break spaces with fidget toys, dimmed lights, and sitting areas
- $7 reduced admission through the generosity of our sponsors! Aides and members still receive free admission.
Concerning our Price Increase
There has continued to be a strong demand from visitors who identify as having sensory sensitivities and/or disabilities, and we consistently “sell out” on the first day that tickets become available.
However, in order to continue to run this event sustainably, we are now charging a reduced admission rate of $7 per person for Sensory Sunday.All CuriOdyssey members, including MFA members, will have a free reservation option, with membership status being reviewed upon registration, and each group attending can reserve one free ticket for an aide or caregiver. We want to thank our amazing sponsors for allowing us to continue to run this event at a steep discount to our attendees, and hopefully keep this program running for years to come.
We would love to keep Sensory Sunday events free and are striving to return to free events if/when funding materializes to support it. Sensory Sundays are made possible by our community of corporate and individual donors who are committed to supporting our mission to create a better future.
Interested in donating to support Sensory Sundays? Contact our Development Department to learn more.
A big thank you to our sponsors for making these events possible!
Sensory Sundays are generously supported by Chance to Excel, with additional support from AbilityPath, Autism Society San Francisco Bay Area, Bay Area Housing Corp (BAHC), Child Mind Institute, Escher Family Fund, Magical Bridge Foundation, PARCA Auxiliary, Opening Doors PTA, and WINGS Learning Center. Learn more about these wonderful organizations below!
The Chance to Excel Foundation supports programs committed to the development of mind, body, and spirit for all children through mentorship and education in the arts, creation and expansion of sports activities, and ensuring the availability of testing to those whose creative strengths lie in differences.
For more than 100 years, AbilityPath has empowered children and adults with developmental disabilities to achieve their full potential. We are distinctive in providing a lifespan of services, including educational, therapeutic, vocational, and family support, for more than 1,000 individuals each day.
Autism Society San Francisco Bay Area (SFASA) is a volunteer-run nonprofit working to build a stronger Bay Area autism community by serving as a hub for information, events, support, networking and advocacy. SFASA is known for its dozens of events around the Bay and its annual conference focusing on planning and supports for dependent adults with autism. Please find them online at SFAutismSociety.org and on Facebook at facebook.com/
Since 2003, Bay Area Housing Corp (BAHC) has been a catalyst for improving the lives of people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) in the Bay Area. BAHC currently owns, manages, and maintains 52 residential properties that are home to people within the I/DD community.
BAHC provides services to individuals with I/DD in private residencies through Making Homes Work and Legacy Homes Programs. Making Homes Work provides financial or project management assistance to eligible clients for home adaptations or repairs, and The Legacy Homes Program is a long term housing solution for families worried about what will happen when they are no longer here to care for their loved one.
When a child is struggling the whole family is impacted. At the Child Mind Institute, a multidisciplinary team of child and adolescent psychologists, neuropsychologists, and social workers are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of emotional, behavioral, and developmental issues. Care that is truly evidence-based, compassionate and personalized makes all the difference. Child Mind Institute offers solutions for each family’s unique needs, because every child deserves to thrive.
Escher Family Fund (EFF) is a donor-advised fund at Silicon Valley Community Foundation focused on supporting autism-related programs and research.
Magical Bridge Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit based in Palo Alto, CA that creates innovative award-winning playgrounds, parks and programs for more inclusive communities. Their multigenerational spaces are thoughtfully designed to ensure guests of all ages and all abilities experience the magic of play, community connections and a true sense of belonging. CuriOdyssey opened Whooosh!, a Magical Bridge designed playground, to families and visitors in November 2021.
Opening Doors PTA is a unit of the California PTA in the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District dedicated to supporting children with learning differences. Opening Doors PTA believes that every child, regardless of ability, deserves a quality education that can equip him/her for a better future. They support children and their families in the Peninsula Bay Area by providing support to parents and the community, through focus groups, workshops, mini-grants and classroom funds to teachers, therapists, and other organizations, as well as after school classes. Opening Doors PTA provides advocacy for equal rights and inclusion.
PARCA, Partners & Advocates for Remarkable Children & Adults, has been enriching the lives of people with developmental disabilities since 1952. PARCA provides residential programs, support for those living independently, respite care, before- and after-school child care, and family support and advocacy services.
The PARCA Auxiliary was founded in 1988 as an organization dedicated to philanthropic endeavors that directly supports PARCA. The Auxiliary organizes and hosts numerous parties and activities for the PARCA clients and their families throughout the year, enabling both the Auxiliary members and PARCA clients to meet, interact, and have fun!
WINGS envisions a world founded on acceptance, respect, and belonging, guided by values like trust and community engagement. For over two decades, WINGS, a California Department of Education-certified non-public school for ages 5-22, has supported students with autism and similar learning challenges. Currently expanding, WINGS aims to establish an adult program, continuing its commitment to lifelong, student-centered learning and capacity building.
A big thank you to our sponsors for making these events possible!
Sensory Sundays are generously supported by Chance to Excel, with additional support from AbilityPath, Autism Society San Francisco Bay Area, Child Mind Institute, Escher Family Fund, Magical Bridge Foundation, PARCA Auxiliary, Opening Doors PTA, and WINGS Learning Center. Learn more about these wonderful organizations below!
The Chance to Excel Foundation supports programs committed to the development of mind, body, and spirit for all children through mentorship and education in the arts, creation and expansion of sports activities, and ensuring the availability of testing to those whose creative strengths lie in differences.
For more than 100 years, AbilityPath has empowered children and adults with developmental disabilities to achieve their full potential. We are distinctive in providing a lifespan of services, including educational, therapeutic, vocational, and family support, for more than 1,000 individuals each day.
Autism Society San Francisco Bay Area (SFASA) is a volunteer-run nonprofit working to build a stronger Bay Area autism community by serving as a hub for information, events, support, networking and advocacy. SFASA is known for its dozens of events around the Bay and its annual conference focusing on planning and supports for dependent adults with autism. Please find them online at SFAutismSociety.org and on Facebook at facebook.com/
Since 2003, Bay Area Housing Corp (BAHC) has been a catalyst for improving the lives of people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) in the Bay Area. BAHC currently owns, manages, and maintains 52 residential properties that are home to people within the I/DD community.
BAHC provides services to individuals with I/DD in private residencies through Making Homes Work and Legacy Homes Programs. Making Homes Work provides financial or project management assistance to eligible clients for home adaptations or repairs, and The Legacy Homes Program is a long term housing solution for families worried about what will happen when they are no longer here to care for their loved one.
When a child is struggling the whole family is impacted. At the Child Mind Institute, a multidisciplinary team of child and adolescent psychologists, neuropsychologists, and social workers are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of emotional, behavioral, and developmental issues. Care that is truly evidence-based, compassionate and personalized makes all the difference. Child Mind Institute offers solutions for each family’s unique needs, because every child deserves to thrive.
Escher Family Fund (EFF) is a donor-advised fund at Silicon Valley Community Foundation focused on supporting autism-related programs and research.
Magical Bridge Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit based in Palo Alto, CA that creates innovative award-winning playgrounds, parks and programs for more inclusive communities. Their multigenerational spaces are thoughtfully designed to ensure guests of all ages and all abilities experience the magic of play, community connections and a true sense of belonging. CuriOdyssey opened Whooosh!, a Magical Bridge designed playground, to families and visitors in November 2021.
PARCA, Partners & Advocates for Remarkable Children & Adults, has been enriching the lives of people with developmental disabilities since 1952. PARCA provides residential programs, support for those living independently, respite care, before- and after-school child care, and family support and advocacy services.
The PARCA Auxiliary was founded in 1988 as an organization dedicated to philanthropic endeavors that directly supports PARCA. The Auxiliary organizes and hosts numerous parties and activities for the PARCA clients and their families throughout the year, enabling both the Auxiliary members and PARCA clients to meet, interact, and have fun!
WINGS envisions a world founded on acceptance, respect, and belonging, guided by values like trust and community engagement. For over two decades, WINGS, a California Department of Education-certified non-public school for ages 5-22, has supported students with autism and similar learning challenges. Currently expanding, WINGS aims to establish an adult program, continuing its commitment to lifelong, student-centered learning and capacity building.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Social Story that we can look at in advance of the event?
Yes, a Sensory Sundays Social Story will be included in your confirmation email.
Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
No, you can provide your first and last name at the check in counter. If people in your party are arriving separately, please let us know upon check in.
Will I have to pay for parking?
Parking is included in your Sensory Sunday registration! Your confirmation email will include a printable parking pass to place on your vehicle dashboard, and we will also have extra parking passes available at the museum for those who cannot print them ahead of time.
A member of my party has a mobility aid. Can I drop off closer to the entrance and then park?
Yes! We have a roundabout at the top of our parking lot where volunteers will be stationed to greet visitors and wait with individuals/groups as drivers park. There are also a limited number of accessible parking spaces.
I no longer can make it to Sensory Sunday. What should I do?
Please cancel your registration so that another party has the opportunity to join us. For information about the next Sensory Sunday, please subscribe to our newsletter.
Who can I contact with additional questions?
You can reach out to Alexis Bullock, Equity and Engagement Program Manager, at abullock(at)curiodyssey.org.
For more information about Accessibility and Inclusion at CuriOdyssey, please click here.
Join the CuriOdyssey Community
LOCATION
1651 Coyote Point Drive
San Mateo, CA 94401
Ohlone Land Acknowledgement
650-342-7755
[email protected]
CuriOdyssey is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, Tax ID 94-1262434
