Disclaimer :: The information and opinions presented in this article do not represent professional medical advice. Please talk to your child’s doctor or hospital representative before encouraging physical activity of any kind. Fort Worth Moms acknowledges the differences in preferences between identity-first versus person-first language in the autism community. This resource is solely intended as an informational resource, not an endorsement or opinion of language-use.
If you have a child with differences and disabilities, you can testify to the struggle of finding ways for him or her to connect (and play!) with other children of varying abilities. Fort Worth Moms polled mamas across Tarrant County for trusted venues and creative play solutions. Now, we’re proud to bring you the comprehensive guide to “Activities for Kids with Differences and Disabilities in the Fort Worth Area.” You are sure to find something to entertain or educate your kids of all ages — whether at an accessible playground filled with children of all abilities, or at a sensory-friendly movie screening exclusive to families walking your journey.
While you’re here, check out articles written by and for Fort Worth moms:
- Autism Resource Guide: Diagnostics, Therapies, Programs, Schools, and Activities
- Loving and Understanding Children with ADHD
- Moving Past the Down Syndrome Diagnosis
- Traveling with an Autistic Child
- The Warrior Mama Handbook to Self-Care
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Click each category for a drop-down menu of options.
AMC Sensory Friendly Films — Enjoy select screenings with the lights turned up and the sound turned low. These happen monthly, on the second and fourth Saturdays (family friendly) and Wednesday evenings (mature audiences).
Alamo Drafthouse — The “Alamo for All” program offers sensory-friendly movie screenings for all ages (including infants).
AquaStars (Irving) — Enjoy monthly access to an indoor swimming facility for a discounted rate.
Art House (Fort Worth) — The Extra Special Art program is designed for adults with disabilities to foster self-esteem, group participation, self-control, and individuality under the guidance of a professional artist.
Beyond Karate — This studio offers karate classes for students with developmental disabilities and other additional needs.
Chuck E. Cheese Sensory Sensitive Sundays — Participating locations open two hours early on the first Sunday of each month for children disabilities and their families.
The Clubhouse (Bedford) — Kids ages 13 and older play ping pong, basketball, foosball, and more in the day program, after-school care, and summer programs. Drop-ins, school holidays, and spring/winter break care are available, as well!
Experience Southlake Adaptive Recreation (Southlake) — Teens and adults enjoy positive recreation and leisure experiences through adapted, inclusive, and community integration programs.
iFly All Abilities (Fort Worth) — Highly-trained instructors make the dream of flight a reality for children and adults with physical and cognitive challenges on All Abilities Nights.
Jasmine’s Beat (multiple locations) — Jasmine’s Beat is an adaptive dance studio for children of all ages and abilities. Register online for a class at one of the many studios across DFW.
Rejoice Dance (Fort Worth) — The “Wonderfully Made” class on Saturday afternoons is for children with physical and developmental disabilities ages four to nine.
Rogue Brick (Fort Worth) — This LEGO® builders’ lounge is more quiet than similar venues (as long as there’s not a birthday party happening). Contact the owners before your visit to arrange accommodations for your child to enjoy some low-maintenance, hands-on fun.
SeaQuest Aquarium (Fort Worth) — While there are no designated sensory awareness days here, you’re sure to find accessible, quiet, interactive, and hands-on fun for the whole family.
Sensory Explorations — Join The Amon Carter Museum of American Art for a free program for families with children on the autism spectrum. Also ask about its Tactile Tool Kits.
SNAP Sensory Story Time (Arlington) — Ages 2-5 developmentally or physically. Registration limited to 10 families.
Story Stage (Fort Worth) — An educator and a speech-language pathologist developed these programs to build social language and literacy skills for school-aged children.
Studio Movie Grill Screenings — Frequent Saturday-morning screenings with lights up and sound low will delight your child and any siblings for FREE! Guardians can purchase discounted tickets.
Trinity Metro’s TEXRail — Features a quiet car and reduced fares for passengers with disabilities. Travel from downtown Fort Worth to northeast Tarrant County, through North Richland Hills and Grapevine, to DFW International Airport, and back.
Trinity Railway Express — TRE offers commuter rail service between Fort Worth and Dallas Monday–Saturday.
For more options for extracurriculars fun, check out our thorough resource, “Extracurricular Activities for Kids in Fort Worth.”
ACEing Autism (Fort Worth) — Coached by an occupational therapist, children with autism spectrum disorder build connections and fitness at the TCU tennis center.
All Star Equestrian Foundation (Burleson) — This non-profit is on a mission to improve physical, cognitive, and emotional fitness through therapeutic horseback riding, equine assisted activities, and occupational/physical hippotherapy.
ASI Gymnastics Gymmie Kids — Kids with physical, developmental, and cognitive needs build strength and gross motor skills with the goal of integrating into a recreational class.
Aqua Tots SNAP Class (Fort Worth) — This aquatic program teaches water safety, spatial awareness, and goal-setting.
Challenge Air (Dallas) — Give your child the opportunity to soar — to fly in a small plane, and possibly even help with the controls!
The Cheer Connection — Offers classes and competitive cheer teams for kids with disabilities.
Encore School of Dance (Saginaw) — All ages are welcome to the No Boundaries co-ed class. On Monday afternoons, students build confidence and improve motor skills.
First Tee (Fort Worth) — While not specifically for children with autism or other disabilities, First Tee is a low-cost, relationship-based program that focuses on meeting the individual’s needs.
Fort Worth Zoo — Check out a sensory bag, featuring a weighted animal figurine, fidget tool, and noise-canceling headphones for your child. All exhibits are accessible by wheelchair.
Keller Soccer Association Miracle League — Children (ages five through 16) with mental and physical challenges can train in weekly sessions for a season-end scrimmage.
Miracle League DFW — Providing children and young adults the opportunity to play baseball regardless of their abilities. Rubberized turf field accommodates wheelchairs and other devices while helping to prevent injuries.
Miracle League of Parker County — Dedicated to promoting the health and wellbeing of individuals with disabilities while educating the public and promoting a greater understanding.
Miracle League of Southlake — All games are two innings in length, every player gets to bat, and has a buddy to assist them and cheer them on. The last Player on the lineup gets a home run!
New Hope Equine Assisted Therapy (Argyle) — Therapeutic horseback riding services for people with a variety of disabilities. Hippotherapy with summer camp and play day options available.
Special Olympics Texas — This year-round program holds more than 300 local, regional, and state competitions. Divisions are based on age, gender, and ability level.
Spirit Xtreme REJOICE (Southlake) — Join the CheerABILITIES co-ed squad exclusively for children with intellectual and physical differences. Boys and girls enjoy weekly practices, full uniforms, and competitions.
Stars and Strides Stables (Weatherford) — A non-profit dedicated to the highest industry standards for safety and professionalism for individuals with disabilities to reach their optimal outcomes. All our coaches are certified through PATH International.
Urban Air Adventure Park — Check out your local park’s weekly activities to catch the next sensory-friendly jump.
Victory Therapy Center (Roanoke) — Victory provides equine assisted services, including adaptive riding and clinical therapy incorporating hippotherapy, by utilizing relationships that our clients form with horses.
White Bridle Learning and Therapy (Keller) — Licensed, credentialed and highly trained ABA therapists, technicians and analysts work as a team to create and provide programs based on the needs of your child.
Wings of Hope (Cleburne) — Equine assisted services for children and adults with unique physical, mental, and emotional challenges. Partnering horses and humans for over 25 years.
Alison’s Playground at Jo Kelly School (Fort Worth) — Outside of school hours, the accessible equipment at this barrier-free playground is free for anyone.
Bicentennial Park (Crowley) — Designed with universal access to its creek and 18-hole disc golf course, kids of all abilities enjoy the open spaces as well as the fenced-in playground and splash pad.
Centennial Park (Burleson) — This all-inclusive playground is accessible to wheelchair-users and features benches and restrooms.
Cook Children’s Medical Center (Fort Worth) — A small, outdoor playground on the front grounds of the main medical center is wheelchair-accessible. Also check out the indoor play space on the first floor of the medical center behind Camelot Court.
Dream Park Fort Worth (Fort Worth) — This inclusive playground located inside Trinity Park has special equipment such as smooth rubber surfacing, adaptive swings, and a stainless steel roller slide for children of all abilities.
Patricia LeBlanc Park (Fort Worth) — As the nation’s first playground designed for universal access, this park encourages side-by-side play with specialized equipment for kids of all ages and abilities.
Willow Creek Station (Saginaw) — This area brings an all-abilities playground to the northern end of Willow Creek Park.
Access-Life Expo in North Texas (Grapevine) — This free annual meet-up for individuals and families living with disabilities provides outdoor fun, food, and fellowship.
Autism Parent Training at Camp Worth (Fort Worth) — Camp Worth helps parents better serve their children on the spectrum.
Best Buddies — Offering one-to-one friendship, integrated employment, and leadership development programs for individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Texas.
Camp Leap (Fort Worth) — This free language and literacy program for kiddos in grades PK–4 promotes literacy, reading fluency and decoding for students with an identified speech and reading delay. Here, also find support groups for children who stutter.
Center for ASD (Burleson) — This integrated community center provides social skills groups, family field trips, music therapy, family resources, and more to help everyone reach their potential.
The Clubhouse (Bedford) — Kids ages 13 and older play ping pong, basketball, foosball and more in the day program, after-school care, and summer programs. Drop-ins, school holidays, and spring/winter break care are available, as well!
Connections Project (Dallas/Fort Worth) — Search for educational, medical, nutritional, recreational, therapeutic, and other parental and family resources across the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.
ESC Region 11 (White Settlement) — The education service center for public and charter schools in the area offers autism resources. Along with professional development for teachers, its workshops are also open to parents.
HopeKids — The local North Texas chapter provides a support community and a wide range of free weekly events for families of kids with life-threatening medical conditions.
The Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Council of Tarrant County — This non-profit strives to help people living with IDD thrive by providing resources for all ages and abilities. Check out this great resource for local, recreational activities, including adaptive swim lessons, bowling, and more.
Links of Hope (Fort Worth and Southlake) — This free local support group provides parents and caregivers of children with a mental health diagnosis such as ADHD, depression, OCD, and ASD with support and education. The group is led by a licensed social worker and meets once a month.
MHMR of Tarrant County — The My Health My Resources (MHMR) is a non-profit providing Tarrant and surrounding counties with behavioral health, disability, and child and family services.
Respite Nights for Parents — Various churches and specialty services offer respite care for children with disabilities (and sometimes their typically-developing siblings). This can range from a free parents night out to regular day care services. Check out this list provided by Tarrant Cares, or ask your home church.
Victory Flows — Victory Flows works to encourage active involvement and a sense of belonging for all individuals living with differences. It puts on lots of fun events for people with disabilities and their family members.