Play Without Boundaries is Please Touch Museum’s monthly sensory-friendly morning, designed for visitors with autism, sensory sensitivities, disabilities, and anyone else who thinks their family would benefit from a sensory-friendly environment.
Held on the third Sunday of each month from 9–11 AM, Play Without Boundaries offers a quieter, less crowded Museum experience with adjustments to lighting and sound. Families are welcome to explore our interactive exhibits, participate in hands-on activities, and enjoy learning through play at their own pace.
Admission is free, and advance registration is required. From 9–11 AM, the Museum is reserved exclusively for pre-registered Play Without Boundaries guests. The Museum begins regular operating hours at 11 AM.
What to Expect
During Play Without Boundaries, the Museum is adapted to provide a more comfortable environment for guests with sensory sensitivities and other needs.
- Limited attendance to provide a less crowded experience
- Reduced lighting and sound in select exhibits
- Designated Quiet Zones for guests who need a break
- Free Sensory Kits available at the Admissions Desk
- Hands-on activities with Museum educators
- Free, unlimited carousel rides
Families are welcome to explore the Museum at their own pace and participate in activities that work best for them.
While adjustments are made to reduce sensory stimulation, some exhibits and experiences still include lights, sounds, and other sensory elements.
Upcoming Sensory Mornings
Sunday, November 15, 2026
Sunday, December 20, 2026
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Program Highlights
Join us for special activities throughout the Museum during November’s Play Without Boundaries session!
Main Level
- Resource Fair | 9–11 AM | Hamilton Hall: Meet local organizations offering resources for families and connect with Museum staff.
- Sensory Station | 9:15–10:45 AM | Adventure Camp: Explore sensory bins with a Museum Educator behind the River exhibit.
- Carousel | 9:15–11 AM | Carousel House: Enjoy free rides on our historic carousel.
Lower Level
- Performance: Quack Quack Philly | 10-10:30 AM | Wonder Theater: Join Philly Sensory Theatre for Quack Quack Philly, an interactive sensory musical that follows Bell, a duck from the Schuylkill River, on an adventure through Philadelphia! Sing, dance, and play along with special sensory props as Bell explores the city, meets new friends, and discovers new places along the way.
- Art Studio & Makerspace | 9:15–11 AM: Create artwork, paint on our paint window, or build inventions using recycled materials.
- Creator Station | 9:15–10:45 AM | Center Core: Explore puzzles, build with blocks, create domino lines, and more!
The carousel is wheelchair accessible using an attachable ramp. Please allow 5–10 minutes for staff to install the ramp or let us know in advance if you would like it ready at a specific time.
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Program Highlights
Join us for special activities throughout the Museum during December’s Play Without Boundaries session!
Main Level
- Resource Fair | 9–11 AM | Hamilton Hall: Meet local organizations offering resources for families and connect with Museum staff.
- Sensory Station | 9:15–10:45 AM | Adventure Camp: Explore sensory bins with a Museum Educator behind the River exhibit.
- Carousel | 9:15–11 AM | Carousel House: Enjoy free rides on our historic carousel.
Lower Level
- Art Studio & Makerspace | 9:15–11 AM: Create artwork, paint on our paint window, or build inventions using recycled materials.
- Creator Station | 9:15–10:45 AM | Center Core: Explore puzzles, build with blocks, create domino lines, and more!
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Rehearse Your Theater Skills | 9:15-11 AM | Wonder Theater: Practice going to the movies by dropping in at our Wonder Theater and watching a short show. Come and go as you please or take a breather in this low light, low-sound theater space.
The carousel is wheelchair accessible using an attachable ramp. Please allow 5–10 minutes for staff to install the ramp or let us know in advance if you would like it ready at a specific time.
Prepare for Your Visit
We want every family to feel comfortable and prepared for their visit! Explore these resources to learn more about the Museum and what to expect before you arrive.
Know Before You
Go Guide
Learn what to expect during Play Without Boundaries, from arriving and checking in to exploring the Museum’s exhibits and finding staff who can help during your visit.
Please Touch Museum
Social Story
This illustrated, first-person guide helps children prepare for their Museum visit by showing what they’ll see and experience along the way.
Please Touch Museum
Sensory Guide
Explore the sensory experiences typically found in each Museum exhibit, including sound, sight, touch, movement, and complexity levels.
For more information about accommodations available throughout the Museum, visit our Accessibility page.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is Play Without Boundaries free?
Yes! Admission is free for both children and adults and includes unlimited carousel rides. Advance registration is required, as tickets are limited to maintain a less crowded environment.
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Can Museum members attend Play Without Boundaries?
Play Without Boundaries is designed specifically for children with autism, sensory sensitivities, and other sensory or communication needs, along with their families. The 9–11 AM session is reserved for families participating in this program and is not a regular members-only morning. Museum members whose families would benefit from this experience are welcome to attend but must register for Play Without Boundaries in advance.
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Can we stay after 11 AM?
Absolutely! Play Without Boundaries ends at 11 AM, when the Museum opens to members and guests with general admission tickets. This transition can bring a sudden increase in visitors and noise levels. Play Without Boundaries guests are welcome to stay and continue exploring the Museum for as long as they feel comfortable.
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Are there places to take a break?
Yes. Designated Quiet Zones are available for guests who need a break from the activity around them. Free Sensory Kits are also available at the Admissions Desk to borrow.
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Where can we park?
The Museum has a gated parking lot adjacent to Memorial Hall, with designated accessible parking spaces. Parking is free for Play Without Boundaries guests; please bring your parking ticket to the front desk for validation.
Stay Connected
Want to receive emails about upcoming Play Without Boundaries events? Contact accessibility@pleasetouchmuseum.org
and we’ll add you to our mailing list.
Have questions about Play Without Boundaries or accessibility accommodations?
Support Play Without Boundaries
Help make the joy of learning through play accessible to more children and families! If you value programs like Play Without Boundaries, consider making a gift of $10 or $20 to support the Museum’s commitment to providing welcoming, accessible experiences for all.
Play Without Boundaries is made possible by a generous grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Hamilton Family Charitable Trust, with additional funding from the Wawa Foundation and the Ladies Aid Society of the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.