The Joy of Sensory- Friendly Birthday Parties
BY AMANDA CIANI
E very birthday child deserves to be celebrated! But not every birthday celebration needs to be the same. Parties can, and should, be catered to the birthday child’s unique interests, the activities they enjoy, and even the foods they like to eat. If you’re throwing a birthday party for a neurodivergent (or “neurospicy,” as my family likes to say) child, the idea of celebrating the birthday child’s uniqueness doesn’t change; in fact it may even be a bit elevated. Folks in attendance of a sensory- friendly party may have to accept that it isn’t their idea of a traditional celebration, yet more optimistically, guests may pick up a party trick or two while attending a sensory- friendly birthday party—because really, they are pretty great! What Is a Sensory-Friendly Birthday Party? It depends on who is being celebrated! Some neurodivergent people tend to be sensory avoiders (easily overwhelmed by input), others are sensory seekers (crave more sensory input), while most are actually both sensory avoiders and seekers depending on variables like the time of day, the environment, or the type of sensory input being taken into consideration. Yes! Sensory processing itself is on a spectrum, too. Lindsey Biel, occupational therapist and co-author of Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with Sensory Processing Issues notes that: “All of us have sensory preferences and intolerances. A birthday party that is sensory friendly benefits everyone. Just as curb cuts originally designed to help wheelchair
users also makes life better for parents with strollers and travelers with suitcases, sensory-friendly parties make events more enjoyable and less difficult for kids –and their grown-ups.” The main takeaway concerning sensory- friendly birthday parties is that they are inclusive, and they are thoughtful when considering and supporting all sensory needs. How to Make any Party More Sensory Friendly There are lots of options for making any party more sensory friendly. Biel assures that “creating sensory friendly parties doesn’t require major logistics or investments. Big changes don’t always require big work… just some ‘sensory smart’ thinking about how all kinds of kids can have fun.” Some ideas on how to make a home-party more sensory friendly include: • Have a quiet, calming space where kids can take breaks. This is definitely a bonus spot for overstimulated toddler guests (or any guest, really!) who may need a minute to decompress! Some fun items to include in this area could be a bubble tube, bubbles, dim lighting with a light projector, glow sticks, a lava lamp, bean bag chairs, quiet ambient music, books, etc. • Have a more arousing activity zone for sensory seekers! This is where kids can get their wiggles out, bounce, and wear off some of that birthday cake sugar. Some energy-expending items to include in this area could be dance music, colorful lights,
a trampoline with a safety net, jump rope, hula hoop, yoga ball, crash pad, Sit ‘n Spins, Dizzy Disk toys, and more. A simple sensory station is a great option to have at any gathering! Kids (of all kinds!) can enjoy open-ended activities like party- themed sensory bins, play dough, Kinetic Sand, fidgets, stickers, coloring pages, etc. Build-Your-Own Snack Stations are fun for everyone! Offering a wide range of textures and flavors gives guests the chance to pick and choose what they want to add to their own plate. Ideas include a variety of crunchy snacks like carrots, snap peas, celery sticks, cucumbers, apples, grapes, freeze dried fruits, cheerios, pretzels, crackers, cookies, and more. Chewier foods like cheese sticks, jerky, chewy granola bites, and fruit leather may be a big hit. Yogurt tubes or applesauce pouches are a good option to have available whenever little ones are at a party! “Be sure to check for dietary issues like peanut allergies and gluten intolerance and only offer food and snacks that are safe for everyone,” reminds Biel.
Sensory-Friendly Party: Adventures at Venues
Choosing to throw a party at a venue where the party kid is both familiar and comfortable with is a great idea! From indoor play places to trampoline parks and bowling alleys, many places have party packages ready for purchase. Biel suggests that, “to avoid overstimulation, preview the venue either through a personal visit, video, or at least a website tour so your child and party guests know more or less what to expect. Using the
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