Guide: September ‘25 IDD-Friendly Events + Activities
Finding low-sensory, inclusive, and IDD-friendly things
to do shouldn’t be a scavenger hunt.
Below are 10 community events this September 2025—from sensory-friendly museum mornings to adaptive sports—where IDD individuals + families can show up, connect, and have fun.
1. A Space for All of Us
Enjoy sensory-friendly quiet hours at the Museum of Us on Sunday mornings from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. During this time, specific exhibit features in the main Museum building are turned off to minimize audio and visual stimulation. Noise-blocking headphones are free for check-out at the main Admissions Desk and entrance to the “Cannibals: Myth + Reality” exhibit.
Date/Time: Sun, Sept 7, 2025, 10:00–11:00 a.m.
Location: Museum of Us, Balboa Park (1350 El Prado, San Diego)
Link: Balboa Park
2. Sensory Friendly Mornings (San Diego)
Sensory Friendly Mornings offer access for families who would benefit from a sensory-friendly experience and quieter setting at the Museum. The Museum’s interactive art installations vary from high-sensory activities to designated sensory-break zones that provide a range of experiences for families to enjoy with comfort and safety.
Date/Time: Sat, Sept 20, 2025, 9:00–11:00 a.m.
Location: The New Children’s Museum (Downtown San Diego)
Link: The New Children's Museum+1
3. Sensory Friendly Mornings (Escondido)
Early mornings geared for families with children on the spectrum or with sensory sensitivities. Enjoy the Museum in a quiet and accepting setting and make connections and share resources with other families. Free with Museum admission.
Date/Time: Sun, Sept 7, 2025, 9:00–10:30 a.m.
Location: San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum, Escondido
Link: Children's Museum of Discovery
4. Accessibility Mornings (Balboa)
The Fleet Science Center strives to be an inclusive place where people of all needs and abilities are welcome and respectfully accommodated daily. Science is for everyone. Admission is free for one visitor and an accompanying guest. Regular admission rates apply for additional visitors. Noise-canceling headsets are available during your visit to the Fleet Science Center. Please inquire at the ticket counter or at the Heikoff Giant Dome Theater.
Date/Time: Sat, Sept 20, 2025 — Doors at 9:00 a.m.; film at 10:00 a.m.
Location: Fleet Science Center, Balboa Park
Link: fleetscience
5. Miracle League of San Diego (Del Mar)
Join the Miracle League of San Diego and be part of something truly special—where every player, regardless of ability, gets the chance to play baseball, make friends, and feel like a star. Whether you’re signing up to play, volunteer, or support, there’s a place for you on our team. Opening Day for the fall season is Saturday, September 6, 2025 at both fields, with the Competitive Division opening Sunday, September 7, 2025.
Dates: Opening Day Sat, Sept 6, 2025
Location: Engel Family Field, Del Mar
Links: The Miracle League of San Diego+1
6. Friendship Circle San Diego (Valley Center)
Bring the whole family for a fun-filled morning at Bates Nut Farm with Friendship Circle San Diego! Enjoy feeding the animals, hands-on arts + crafts, bounce houses and outdoor fun. Free for FC Members and Registered Volunteers. $18 per family for Community Members. Make memories, connect with friends, and be part of Friendship Circle’s welcoming community.
Date: Sun, Sept 7, 2025, 10AM-12PM
Location: 15954 Woods Valley Rd, Valley Center, CA 92082
Link: Event post + RSVP here
7. AWARE Adult Autism Dance
Monthly social dance night geared toward autistic adults; supportive, judgment-free atmosphere. Come join your friends for fun dancing, pizza, beverages and DJ music. This is an exciting dance venue with lights, mirrors and a great dance floor. There is plenty of free parking around the building. You may park in the front and in the back of the building.
Date: Sun, Sept 28, 2025
Location: San Diego Dance Headquarters
Link: Event listing
8. Sky Zone“All Abilities” Hour (Carlsbad)
Sensory Friendly program is specifically designed for special needs jumpers. Enjoy the unmatched FUN of Sky Zone without the distractions. Sky Zone welcomes children or adults with special needs along with a chaperone.
Date/Time: Fridays in September 9:00–10:00 a.m.
Location: Sky Zone Carlsbad
Link: Sky Zone Trampoline Park
9. Library Sensory Play Time
Gentle, sensory-rich playtime; smaller, quieter library setting can be a comfortable first step into community spaces for some IDD families with very young children. Join for a special program designed to explore sights, sounds, and textures in a safe and friendly environment. Develop early motor skills and engage their senses through fun activities every other week.
Date/Time: Thu, Sept 11, 2025, 10:30–11:15 a.m.
Location: Rancho San Diego Branch Library
Link: San Diego County Library
10. “The Nat”ASD Mornings
The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) is pleased to offer a program for the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) community: a once-a-month ASD Morning in which the Museum opens early for adults and children on the autism spectrum and their families, friends, and caregivers. This innovative program encourages individuals to explore, play, and discover the treasures The Nat has to offer in an environment that is comfortable for them.
Date/Time: Sun, Sept 14, 2025
Location: The Nat, Balboa Park
Link: The Nat
PLEASE NOTE…
Event details can shift. Always check the linked page before you go for the most current times, ticketing, and accessibility notes. Many sites offer visual stories, sensory maps, or designated quiet spaces to help you plan (example: Fleet’s Accessibility Mornings; Museum of Us quiet hours).
At UESL, we use team-based gaming + technology education to help IDD gamers build friendships, practice communication, and grow social-emotional skills in a supportive, low-ratio setting (approved San Diego Regional Center vendor; ages 8-adult). Families often tell us that consistent, interest-driven community time—like the events above—pairs beautifully with our structured coaching inside the arena.
Tell a friend: UESL Referral Program
If you love what we do, share it. When your referral enrolls + completes intake, you receive a $100 Amazon Gift Card. There’s no limit (families/parents only; SDRC Service Coordinators not eligible). Start here by connecting with our client services team.
