Sylvania Playland is partnering with AB Education Behavior and Consulting, Avenues for Autism and Jeds Sylvania to host 4 upcoming playdates for children with disabilities.
With a child who is sensitive to loud noises and is easily overstimulated, it can be tough to pick which events to attend. It can be a relief to find some options that have sensory-friendly activities for your little one to enjoy. We put together a list of some of those local activities. Make sure to visit our Inclusive Toledo page at toledoparent.com for more resources and listings.
Chuck E Cheese adjusts their music, games and stage show the first Sunday of every month.
Sensory Friendly Sundays
at Chuck E. Cheese
Chuck E. Cheese is open from 9-11am the first Sunday every month for children with disabilities and their siblings. There is also no music playing overhead. The loud games are turned off and some games with sound are still on. There is no stage show and lights are dimmed. Chuck E may make an appearance and management will give a warning before he does. They offer a separate area for children who do not wish to see Chuck E. Food can be ordered during these hours.
Imagination Station provides sensory maps of the facility, calming rooms and sensory bags for their guests.
One of Toledo’s hotspots for children offers sensory friendly activities and spaces. Imagination Station has two sensory friendly theater times: Tuesdays at 4:15pm and Sundays at 12:30pm for 3-D movies. There are quiet rooms available throughout the facility in the event that your child becomes overstimulated. Headphones and ear plugs are available. Kulture City-friendly sensory bags include headphones, fidget spinners and social storyboards. They also have a sensory map as well as lap pads available. Prior to visiting, your child can view a social story presented by Kulture-City on the Imagination Station website allowing your child to know what to expect. Find more information here.
1 Discovery Way
(419) 244-2674
Get Air
Get Air provides a calmer atmosphere the first Friday of every month.
Get Air provides a calm atmosphere on the first Saturday of every month from 8-10am. This is open to those with disabilities and family or caregivers only. Jumpers can have a parent or guardian accompany them on the trampolines for free. Music is played at a lower volume and the park is less crowded. Siblings are welcome to jump at the same time but need to be aware of others around them.
Cost: Big Air (over 46 inches) $15.99 and Little Air (under 46 inches) $10.99
Sylvania Playland is partnering with AB Education Behavior and Consulting, Avenues for Autism and Jeds Sylvania to host 4 upcoming playdates for children with disabilities.
AB Education and Behavior Consulting has partnered with Sylvania Playland with sponsorship from Avenues for Autism and Jed’s Sylvania to provide inclusive and supportive programming for families with children with ASD. The purpose of the monthly specialized playdates is to provide safe and intentional fun for families and their children navigating the world of Autism. Provider resources and support will be available each month while children engage in peer play and build functional communication skills. Board Certified Behavior Specialists and other professionals volunteer their time to help facilitate each event. Please feel free to join this event to network, relax and discover available resources at your disposal! Cost is $8 per child under 12. There will be resources available to determine if you’re eligible to apply for a grant or scholarship to pay the admission cost for the year.
The dates are as follows: September 27, November 29, January 24 and March 27 from 4-6pm.
TLCL partners with Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities for a special story time called “Rhythm and Rhyme” that will resume in the fall. Check their website for any upcoming events and dates.
The National Museum of the Great Lakes
The National Museum of the Great Lakes is now offering Sensory Friendly Mornings, an inclusive environment for families and individuals with sensory sensitivities to explore the museums exhibits. They will be open an hour earlier from 9-10am on April 20, June 22, September 21 and December 14.
Leila and her aunt Natasha dropping food from a Leila’s Promise food drive to Toledo Northwest Ohio Food Bank
Ten-year-old Leila Harris is a change maker and the founder of Leila’s Promise, a nonprofit organization that empowers young people to be involved in the changes they wish to see in their world.
Leila, her grandmother, great-great grandmother, and cousin filling backpacks with school supplies that were donated to students in Toledo during the Toledo Human Relations Commission Night Out. Photo by Leila’s Promise
From a very young age, Harris has been concerned with impacting her world in a positive way. In 2019, she asked her parents to give to those in need at Christmas rather than buy her gifts, and that’s how Harris and her mother came up with Leila’s Promise.
Leila’s Promise is dedicated to giving young people a platform to express their opinions regarding the issues that will affect them in the years to come. Its mission is that kindness in action and service to others is the key to a brighter future for all.
“I would like to see a world where people are kinder to each other,” shared Harris. “Everyone deserves to feel special and know they matter. I want other children to know they don’t need a lot to make a difference in their community. You can start by being kind. Kindness matters.”
Leila’s Promise donated $500 to Family House Toledo. Leila pictured with Dr. Tonia Pace, Family House Executive Director. Photo by Leila’s Promise
Giving Back to the Community
While Leila’s Promise is dedicated to making a difference with projects focused on childhood hunger and homelessness, the organization is also dedicated to teaching youth about STEM education and careers (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Last year Leila’s Promise hosted and supported STEM programs in three countries including Liberia, Rwanda and here in Toledo.
“Making a difference inspires me to continue to give back to my community,” Harris shared. “I don’t always know who I’m helping or get to see them, but if there’s something I can do my family encourages and supports me.”
Reflecting on Leila’s involvement in the community, her mom shared that she is so grateful to be on this journey with her, providing the resources and guidance she needs.
“I am so proud of Leila. This is honestly just who she is,” shared Nazarene Tubman, Harris’s mom. “Leila is a kind, caring, outgoing and inquisitive 10-year-old. She enjoys all the regular things a child does, including Roblox, swimming and hanging out with her friends, but also sees opportunities to better her community and takes action on her own.”
Leila pictured filling the 80 care packages/backpacks for our neighbors in downtown Toledo. Photo by Leila’s Promise
Upcoming Projects
Looking ahead to 2023, Harris has big plans including making care packages to distribute to people downtown. She is excited about plans for students from her school to help with projects this spring. She is also looking forward to getting more people together to volunteer with organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Food for Thought. Another project for this year is to continue sending sanitary napkins to girls in Liberia.
“We started supporting girls in Liberia with sanitary napkins after we learned that many girls have to miss school every month because they don’t have supplies,” Harris shared. “We have provided supplies for girls to counselors at more than 15 schools.”
Lead By Example
For parents looking for ways to encourage their children to give back, Harris’s mom offers some simple advice.
“It is important that, as parents, we lead by example and teach our kids kindness. My mother modeled the importance of service for me and I wanted to instill the same for Leila,” Tubman added. “I would also like to encourage parents to listen to your children. Sometimes as adults we think we have all the answers, but I have found I learn so much from Leila when I truly listen.”
Leila’s Promise is committed to making a positive impact in the world, but they can’t do it alone. To learn more about making a donation or getting involved with an upcoming project visit leilaspromise.org or follow Leila’s Promise on Facebook and Instagram.
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Leila's Promise donated $500 to Connecting Kids to Meals. Leila pictured with Wendi Huntley, President Connecting Kids to Meals.
Photo Credit: Leila's Promise
Leila’s Promise and friends after distributing care packages and hot lunches to people in downtown Toledo.
Photo Credit: Leila's Promise
Leila and her aunt Natasha dropping food from a Leila’s Promise food drive to Toledo Northwest Ohio Food Bank
Photo Credit: Leila's Promise
Leila, her grandmother, Dr. Tubman, and cousin on their way to volunteer.
Photo Credit: Leila's Promise
Filling 50 Christmas stockings that were donated to Family House Toledo.
Photo Credit: Leila's Promise
Volunteering with friends with Food for Thought making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for our neighbors in Toledo.
Photo Credit: Leila's Promise
Volunteering with Food for Thought. Leila making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
Photo Credit: Leila's Promise
Leila pictured filling the 80 care packages/backpacks for our neighbors in downtown Toledo.
Photo Credit: Leila's Promise
Leila’s Promise donated $500 to Family House Toledo. Leila pictured with Dr. Tonia Pace, Family House Executive Director
Photo Credit: Leila's Promise
Leila, her grandmother, great-great grandmother, and cousin filling backpacks with school supplies that were donated to students in Toledo during the Toledo Human Relations Commission Night Out.
The Mercy Health Mobile Mammography Van travels through Northwest Ohio, allowing for safe, convenient and comfortable mammogram screenings without a physician’s order. The 15-minute screenings are performed by a licensed technologist and both 2D and 3D screenings are available. Mercy Health also offers financial assistance for the service, with zero-cost screenings available to qualifying participants. More information provided via phone when the appointment is made. Mercy Health is offering this service at the following locations:
Sylvania on Monday, March 27
Perrysburg on Wednesday, March 29 and Thursday, April 6
Toledo on Friday, March 31 and Wednesday, April 5
Appointments can be made via phone at 833-MAMMVAN (833-626-6826). Find more details, including addresses and more available dates, check out their upcoming schedule here.
Happy birthday to your little Aries child! The stars are aligned this year as the moon, the planet of emotions, swaddles their Sun sign, creating a feeling of curiosity about their past and bringing similar parent/child interests to the surface. This alignment in interests between parent and child doesn’t happen often because your child is usually off on their own, planning adventures, while surrounded by lots of friends. Begin by sharing with them the things you love to do, and let them choose which one of these they want to experience. Also, for their birthday, have them shop with you to select their present and then take them out to dinner. You might just create a lifelong tradition. Offer them a party with their friends to keep their social needs satisfied! This birthday for your child will be one that will hold a special place in your heart.
The Silent Book Club encourages people to read what they want while engaging with others.
There are few things better than reading a great book. That feeling when your favorite characters reach a satisfying conclusion after pages and pages of development, or when you become so engulfed in a world outside of our own that you lose track of time, is unmatched.
However, there is one thing that is better than reading the perfect book: having someone to talk about it with. This is the magic of book clubs, where people read the same book or books and then spend time discussing them together. Typically, these book clubs meet on a regular basis to either discuss the book chapter by chapter, or when the book has been completed by all the members.
Luckily, Toledo is home to many book club opportunities for different ages, genders and genres. At various locations and with diverse groups of people, Toledo residents can discuss books and meet new people all at once.
Solace Health & Wellness book club works to educate on bodily autonomy.
Solace Health & Wellness
Solace Health & Wellness is a space that provides sexual and reproductive health for every person with a uterus at any stage of their life. The wellness and justice space started a reproductive justice book club to encourage their mission: “Everyone should have control over their bodies and access to the resources they need.” To join, call 419-214-9046, or email [email protected].
The Toledo Museum of Art has a treasure trove of books just waiting to be borrowed in its book club.
Toledo Museum of Art
The Art Book Club is part of the Toledo Museum of Art’s community outreach efforts. Art and book lovers are invited to participate in the club where they will make connections with special exhibitions and works of art at the museum. There is an early evening discussion, guest speakers and gallery tours. Dates can be found in the TMA event calendar, or you can be added to the Book Club mailing list. There are some copies of the books available for museum members to borrow, and the club is free. However, space is limited, so contact the library to register by calling 419-254-5770, or email [email protected].
The Silent Book Club encourages people to read what they want while engaging with others.
Silent Book Club
The Silent Book Club is a group of book lovers that meet the first Saturday of the month for about two hours. The first and last half hour are for reading and chatting, but the middle hour is for silent reading. The group meets at a different restaurant, bar, or coffee shop every time, and posts regular updates on Facebook. To join, check out Toledo Silent Book Club on Facebook for the location of the meeting, and show up with whatever book you are loving right now.
The Toledo Library has many book clubs to choose from.
Toledo Library Book Clubs
The Toledo Library is home to a plethora of book clubs that you can join by visiting the various branch locations. There are options for book lovers of all ages, but in particular, great programming for children. Head to the Toledo Library calendar for more information on the dates, times and how to register.
The Library’s Storytimes are a great way to prepare your children for reading at higher levels.
Storytime program
The Toledo Library hosts a “Storytime Program” for young kids to learn. You can attend with your child and read books, learn rhymes and participate in other activities to help your children better their reading skills. There are storytimes for babies ages zero to 18 months called Babytime, Toddler storytime for children 18 months to 36 months, a preschool storytime for children ages three to five years, and family storytimes for children ages two to five years.
Photo provided via The Salt Cave Perrysburg.
Banned Book Club
Gathering Volumes and The Salt Cave of Perrysburg partner for the “Banned Book Club.” The fourth Tuesday of every month brings a new read for people to discuss together. For only $20, participants can attend a book club session at the Salt Cave, 318 Louisiana Ave., and talk about the book of the month.
The Library’s other book clubs are filled with opportunities to read and discuss.
Other book clubs
The Library also has other book clubs for those looking to expand their knowledge or participate with older children. There are categories for book clubs like Big Idea, Comics, Documentary Discussion, Fiction, Film, Mystery, Nonfiction, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Wellness and more within the branch groups and the community book groups. You can check out the website for more information on registering and what each book group is reading at the moment.
