A family-friendly, sensory-considerate Halloween event with planetarium shows, trick-or-treating, and hands-on activities.
The Franklin Institute is hosting a Sensory Friendly Day: Halloween Edition on Sunday, October 25, from 9 AM to 1 PM. The museum opens 30 minutes early for the session, so you can get in by 9 AM. It's a family-friendly morning built for guests who prefer a more sensory-considerate museum experience, and it's specifically appropriate for children with autism.
The schedule is built around a few set times. There are two sensory-friendly Sky Tonight planetarium shows, one from 10:15 to 10:45 AM and another from 12:30 to 1 PM. The Inside You live science show runs at 11 AM. And from 9 to 11 AM, there's museum-wide Halloween trick-or-treating at four different doors, with a candy alternative available if you need it. Between those, you have general admission access to the museum's exhibits, and there's a quiet, set-apart cool-down space available if things get a bit much.
It's more than just the shows, though. The day brings together community organizations that serve individuals with autism and their families, including the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, ABA Centers of Pennsylvania, TechOWL, and Caring Comfort Therapy Dogs, alongside hands-on activities from Happy Noises LLC. The whole thing is underwritten by The Weiner Family Foundation.
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For context, The Franklin Institute is Pennsylvania's most visited museum, with three floors of interactive exhibits like The Giant Heart, Changing Earth, and Sports Challenge, plus an indoor SkyBike, live science shows, a five-story IMAX film, a 3D Theater, and a Planetarium. Advance tickets are required since space is limited, and free accessibility tickets can be requested by calling 215-448-1200.
