April

Friday, April 10, 2026: Fridays with Friends:  6:00-7:00 PM

Location: Ambler YMCA

Audience: Special Needs Teens and Young Adults (age 15+)

Cost: $10 Members; $20 Nonmembers

Spend Friday evenings with your friends at the Y! This is an opportunity for our special needs community to socialize, meet new friends, and try new activities! We will have arts, crafts, swimming, snacks, and social time.

Future dates: May 8, September 11

Contact Katie McGuigan at katie.mcguigan@philaymca.org for any questions.

Registration is required. 

Sunday, April 12, 2026: Sensory Friendly Mornings at The Academy of Natural Sciences:  9:00-11:00 AM

Location: The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University | 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia PA 19103 

Sensory-friendly mornings can be a comfortable, calmer way for museum visitors, especially those with sensory sensitivities, to explore the museum. These mornings will include:

• Advanced ticketing to help avoid lines

• Smaller crowds

• More tranquil sounds in exhibitions whenever possible, with soundscapes and roaring dinosaurs softened or turned off

• An available quiet and relaxing space

• Time to explore our signature and special exhibits and wander through the dioramas at your own pace.

• Noise cancelling headphones and fidget toys available for guests

• Understanding, empathetic staff ready to help and share science with you!

Guests of all ages are welcome at this family-friendly event!

Preregistration is required to ensure a calm, positive experience for all guests. While guests will not be turned away if capacity allows, we strongly recommend reserving your ticket in advance due to the popularity of this program and to help all our families avoid lines.

Registration link