Sensory Friendly Morning

Date and Time

Sunday, Mar 30, 2025 9:30am - 12:30pm

Location

Details

Join us as we partner with Autism Society Tidewater Virginia and Complete the Puzzle to provide guests of all abilities and needs, along with their families, the opportunity to visit the Virginia Zoo in a less overwhelming environment. On this special date and time we will provide stress-free activities for your Zoo visit through adapted programs and a reduced number of visitors. With access to animal ambassadors, activity carts, Run Wild! Discovery Zone nature play, and more the whole family can enjoy this sensory-friendly morning at the Zoo.

Activities
All activities are being conducted as they would during standard operations with some modifications to create a calmer environment with reduced lights, sounds, and crowds.

9:30am – 12:30pm: Biofact carts – Join us for hands-on exploration using our biofacts – animal artifacts like feathers, skulls, and more. 
Touch of the Wild (Outer Covering) Comparison at Zebra Habitat on the Africa Trail
Colors of Nature at Cassowary Habitat on the Asia: Trail of the Tiger 
9:30am – 12:30pm: Activity carts – Join us for hands-on activities that explore the wonderful world of animals and zookeeping. 
Orangutan Treetops at the Orangutan Habitat on the Asia: Trail of the Tiger
Animal Kitchen/Diet Prep at the Animal Wellness Campus
9:30am – 12:30pm: Nature Play – Get down and dirty as we explore nature through play at the Run Wild Nature Discovery Zone
9:30am – 12:30pm: Up-Close Zoo – Get an up-close look at some of our animal ambassadors. These animals have special jobs: they meet our guests to teach about their species. To limit stimulation, we’ll be allowing 15 guests in the room every 20 minutes from 9:50am-12:50pm.
9:30am – 12:30pm: Virginia Zoo Express Train interactions (train will not run in an effort to be sensory friendly)
12:00pm: Zoo Tales – Colors and Shapes
Join us at the Zoo Live Stage at 12pm for our popular story time program, Zoo Tales. We’ll be learning all about colors and shapes through a story and meeting an animal ambassador.
Virginia Zoo Gift Shop with sensory friendly toys ($)
*A limited number of KultureCity Sensory bags are available for check-out in our Membership Office (first come, first serve).

Vendors
All vendors will be located in the Fountain Plaza inside the Zoo.

Autism Society Tidewater Virginia
Complete the Puzzle
Behavior Frontiers
Easterseals PORT Health
Positive Behavior Supports Corp
Wendy Schofer, MD Family Emotional Health & Weight-Inclusive Health
Brighter Side to ASD
Sentara Therapy Center
Compass Behavioral Group, LLC
Brightside ABA Therapy
FACT Families for Autism
Destination Family Services
Food & Drinks ($)
African Village Restaurant
Chicken tenders, burgers, pizza, fries, snack items
Soda, juice, water, beer, wine, Waters Edge Serpentine Sangria
Tickets
Due to limited capacity, timed tickets will be required for entry to the Zoo for this time and date. Individuals with an ADA-Recognized Disability and One Companion can receive free admission upon request. ADA Admission is only redeemable at the ticket booth. All additional family and friends attending are required to purchase & reserve your tickets ahead of time.

🎧 Member Adult (18+): Free

🎧 Member Child (2-17): Free

🎧 Non-Member Adult (12+): $20

🎧 Non-Member Senior (62+): $18

🎧 Non-Member Child (2-11): $17

🎧 Children under 2 are free but require a reserved ticket