Get Hopping to Sensory-Friendly Bunny Visits and Egg Hunts in April
Enjoy inclusive egg hunts, time with the Easter Bunny and lots of family fun at sites across Illinois
Wondering where the Easter Bunny will hop next?
Check out our Special Events page to find sensory-friendly Easter Bunny visits and egg hunt options for individuals with disabilities of all ages.
The Bunny Cares program offers Easter Bunny visits in a calmer, quieter environment that supports visitors’ sensory, physical and developmental needs. Autism Speaks and Cherry Hill Programs have teamed up to provide these special Bunny Cares photo opportunities.
Bunny Cares events are scheduled at several malls in Illinois on Sunday, April 6.
Click on the locations below to learn more and book your free sensory bunny visit (be sure to search the event schedule for “Bunny Cares,” “Caring Bunny” or “Sensory Bunny” for each location):
Photos will be available to buy at each event. Reservations are limited. Visit the Bunny Cares website for more details and a complete list of sites.
There are more “eggs-cellent” opportunities to meet the Easter Bunny and hunt for eggs throughout Illinois.
If you’re located in the west and northwest suburbs, check out Kidlist for Easter egg hunts and more.
We’ve also highlighted a variety of egg hunts and bunny visits happening in communities across the state. These events include:
- Bunny Hop Breakfast for People with Disabilities and Their Families in Schaumburg on April 5 from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
- Sensory-Friendly Easter Bunny Event in Springfield on April 5 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- The Dr. Patchett Extra Special Eggstravaganza in Carterville on April 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Inclusive “Easter Egg Hunt Miracle Mile” Event in Rockford on April 6 from 2 to 4 p.m.
- Sensory Egg Hunt for Children With Disabilities in Champaign on April 12 from 1 to 3:15 p.m.
Our Special Events page has more opportunities for finding colorful eggs, having fun and celebrating spring.
Many of the events are free. You can use the contact and registration information provided with each event listing to learn more.
Please note that the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) does not sponsor or organize these events. We are sharing the details to help families find inclusive events in their communities.
Sensory-Friendly and Inclusive Holiday Events for All Ages
Experience the magic of the season with Santa visits, light displays and other fun events happening throughout Illinois.
The holiday season is a time for joy, connection and celebration. For individuals with sensory sensitivities and other disabilities, traditional festivities can sometimes feel overwhelming.
We’ve gathered a list of inclusive and sensory-friendly holiday events happening throughout Illinois to help families celebrate the season.
There are light displays, sensitive Santa opportunities, parades and more going on throughout Illinois.
Our Special Events page includes a roundup of opportunities designed specifically for youth with disabilities and special healthcare needs.
We hope this collection of events will help spark ideas to create your own holiday magic:
- The Secret Sleigh Project coordinates volunteers to provide in-home Santa visits to children who are medically fragile nationwide. See our Secret Sleigh event listing for more details on how to request a visit.
- Autism Speaks and Cherry Hill Programs will provide free sensory-friendly Santa experiences at multiple shopping centers in Illinois on Dec. 8. You must sign up to attend. Photo packages will be available to buy. Visit the Santa Cares website for a complete list of Santa’s stops. Be sure to select “Santa Cares”, “Caring Santa” or “Sensitive Santa” when checking your location. (Note some event dates and times may vary. Please check your location to confirm your date and time.)
- The National Federation of the Blind is offering letters from Santa and winter celebration letters in Braille to children who are blind or have low vision. The program is for children 10 years old and younger. Please complete the letter request form by Dec. 16. Letters are available in English or Spanish. If you have any questions, call (410) 659-9314, ext. 2236, or email education@nfb.org.
- Enjoy a movie on the big screen with the lights up, lower sound and the freedom to get up, dance, walk, shout or sing. Visit the following sites to find more details and a theater near you:
- For families in the Chicago area, Chicago Parent magazine has a roundup of sensory-friendly Chicagoland events as a list of free holiday activities for Chicagoland families. Activities include:
- In central Illinois, enjoy time with Santa at the sensory-friendly “Meet and Greet with Santa” in Springfield or the “Sensory Hour Sweets with Santa” at the Allerton Mansion in Monticello. The Illinois Times family event calendar and Chambanamoms.com website also provide lists of events, parades, light displays and more in and around the Springfield and Champaign-Urbana areas.
- Southern Illinois residents can find many fun seasonal activities on SI Families’ event calendar. It’s packed with ideas including the:
- St. Louis events include Breakfast with Signing Santa and Milk & Cookies with Santa in St. Louis – Chesterfield.
- The animals at zoos throughout Illinois are celebrating the season, too! Check out Sensory Night at St. Louis Zoo Wild Lights, ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo or contact your local zoo to find out what’s happening and when.
Be sure to check our Special Events page often as we add more holiday activities to the list. If you know of a good sensory-friendly event to share, please email us at dscc@uic.edu.
Happy Holidays!
Please note, the University of Illinois Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) is not involved in the organizing or scheduling of these holiday events. If you have questions about a specific event, please contact the event sponsor or organizer.