It’s hard to remember there was a day, not too long ago, that we didn’t really leave the house with Atlas without a big debate if where we were going would be too much of a sensory overload. A restaurant would be a place where he would attack a waitress for getting too close. The mall meant he would hug the floor. The zoo was where he ripped off my shirt in 100 degree weather while a dad took out his phone to snap a shot of the incident as I carried a vicious toddler away under one arm and the stroller in the other. Who knows what spilled out of my purse and got left behind that day. We had no idea how our sweet child could be so fun and kind one second and explosive the next.

He was sensory seeking, and we didn’t know it. After some failed attempts at OT, we finally found the right spot for him in Nashville and he began to thrive. It was at a rapid pace. Within six months we had a new kid, which was really the kid he had been all along. What we learned was priceless. Because of this transformation, we started weaving in certain yoga poses which helped endlessly in public. Long lines at airports, the grocery store frozen isle, the park. It was so much like magic, I went ahead to create and publish Yoga For Littles to help other parents with guided flows for their sensory seeking and yoga loving littles. We had really great Occupational Therapists come to our home and work with Atlas for years in additional to his school providing OT services, and then what we did with him on our own.

Years have passed and most of his sensory process issues have been long gone, but a few still remain. Atlas loves to sit super duper close. Maybe even on your lap. We have a “chicken wing” test we do to make sure we each can flap our “chicken wings” to make sure we are the right space apart. But sometimes we can tell he needs more than a yoga flow or a good squeeze, he needs input, and now we know to serve it up before his body starts to get uncomfortable.

This was something I thought would be challenging before we left to travel full time with a child with sensory processing disorder. To my surprise, there have been endless opportunities in countless countries that serve his needs. I created a handy list of places to look for while traveling (or even at home!) that have proven to scratch the sensory itch.

Before I share my list, please know every child is different and what each child is capable of will vary wildly. Once we did a huge indoor rock climb with a massive zip line and he was in love, a few months later he was super scared and they needed to send an guy to emergency relies him from the course. You know your kids limits and talk to your OT about what your plans are and ask for advice!

Unexpected Places to Bring Your Sensory Seeking Kid While Traveling

Indoor Rock Climbing - You know how intense of a climb your child can handle. Just letting themselves pull up is so helpful.
Skateboarding - They don’t even need to stand on the skateboard. A lot of Atlas's therapy was done while him laying Nelly down on a wheeled board navigating the halls of the hospital. Now he takes actual skateboard lessons. Lots of places have drop in classes where you don’t need to own anything - rent it all! We have gone to some as little as $5 for a while 2 hours!
Trampoline Park - Its great to go early in the morning on weekdays when all the kids are at school!
Bumper Cars - Oh the bump! One of Atlas’s favorite feelings.
Operating Machinery like at Digger Land - I didn’t love digger land, but the sensory needs were met this day. Something about operating heavy machinery keep him engaged as he worked fine motor skills along side filling sensory needs.
Hikes - We don’t do crazy hikes, but we spend a good amount of time on nature paths and easily to navigate hikes with Atlas. I love these days the best. Lots of resting happens for sure, but it’s worth the extra long time it takes.
Swimming - We went from him not allowing water to touch his hair to swimming under water and I am so grateful because it helps his body so much to swim.
Local Yoga Class - Usually another great “drop in” option that usually won’t break the bank and doesn’t require extensive registration nor commitment. Some even offer mindfulness and meditation which is an extra bonus to feeling good.
Bike Rentals - If you are in an area that isn’t super busy, rent bikes if you can! It’s such a fun afternoon and such good leg input mixed with balance practice. We sometimes do a bicycle built for two so Atlas can just focus on the input.
Playgrounds - Monkey bars, zip line, anything that spins, I can go on and on about all the amazing free playgrounds we have explored just loaded with input goodness.
Zip lining - Atlas has gone full-blown above-the-tree-tops zip lining and I don’t know when this kid got so brave, but he loved it. He climbed a four story building on the exterior and zipped. I was nervous about sensory over-load but he had a sense of zen and accomplishment! The smaller kid-friendly zip lines are also great. The sense of weightlessness mixed with climbing to get to the zipping point all play an important role.
A couch - Yep! Any ol’ couch will do (or exercise ball, or monkey bar, work with what you got). Envision if you will…
Feet where your head go, head where your feet go. This upside down sensation is a self regulation super power. Think coffee shop, waiting area, friends house, etc.
Here are some terms to google to learn more: Inverting the Head, Upside Down Head, Vestibular Therapy
This may be harder to find, but we did a circus class at a circus museum outside Copenhagen and it was a goldmine of sensory activities.
Theme Parks - Not all are super expensive and crowded! We have done A LOT of theme parks and I never thought of us as theme park people, but hear me out. Therapy is EXPENSIVE and so are theme parks. Sometimes a single OT session is $150 if it’s not covered by insurance. You can have an entire sensory day at some amazing theme parks that will include rides that give the feeling of weightlessness, spinning, climbing, and practicing standing in line. We love to go when it’s off season and mid-week during a non holiday time because if we find a ride that clicks with Atlas, he tends to want to ride it over and over. Yes it’s a treat, but really for everyone!