I’ve put together this article for regular SEN sessions and SEN friendly family venues within an hours drive of Darlington. Last updated December 2024.
If you know of anything that fits the above criteria, please include in the comments and I will add when I next update. Many Thanks ☺️
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Play Factory, Thornaby offer SEN sessions. These are more relaxed with reduced capacity and lower noise levels.
♿️ Wheelchair accessible venue to come along to watch, but the play frames aren’t wheelchair accessible.
🗓️Running on Sundays, 9:30am-10:30am
📲Follow the page for updates at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079530399422
✍️We have visited one of these SEN friendly play sessions. You can view my write up here https://familyfundarlingto.wixsite.com/familyfundarlington/post/the-play-factory-thornaby
(Credit; Play Factory, Thornaby)
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Tazerz-Teesside Laser Tag, Thornaby offer SEN sessions. These sessions are more relaxed with reduced capacity and lower noise levels.
♿️Located upstairs above play factory via stairs only-so not suitable for wheelchair users
🗓️They run on the last Thursday of every month, extra sessions during the holidays.
🎟️Bookable via their website prior to release of each session at www.bookings.tazerz.net
📲Follow their page for updates at https://www.facebook.com/share/15tZpJ7DhP/?mibextid=wwXIfr
My own image from a visit to Tazerz
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The Dolphin Centre, Darlington offer a quiet hour (SEN) for bowling and softplay sessions.
♿️Bowling would be suitable for a wheelchair user to join in but softplay wouldn’t. The venue itself is accessible to spectate.
🗓️Running on the first Sunday of every month:
DC BOWL-10am-11am
Under the Sea Softplay-9am-10am
🎟️ Call 01325 406000 to book
Follow their page for any updates at https://www.facebook.com/HealthyDarlington
(Credit; The Dolphin Centre, Darlington)
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Pendragon Community Trust, Northallerton offer regular sessions for babies, children and adults. They are a multi sensory centre which is fully padded and includes a giant soft slide, interactive wall and floor, ball pool, infinity hut, waterbed, bubble tubes and the latest projection, lights and music and many smaller items to keep everyone entertained.
♿️There are full hoist facilities available for wheelchair users/those that need it.
🎟️Message the centre on 01609 730330 to book.
📲Follow their page for weekly timetables and updates at https://www.facebook.com/pendragoncom
(Credit; Pendragon Community Trust, Northallerton)
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Sunshine Sensory UK offers private 1:1 and group SEN sessions in your own home or at your own arranged venue. Venues beyond 20 mile radius of Darlington will be charged additional travelling expenses at 30p per mile.
🎟️For more info including costs and to book go to https://www.sunshinesensory.co.uk/blank-3
📲Follow the page for updates at https://www.facebook.com/sunshinesensoryuk
(Credit; Sunshine Sensory UK)
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Haystax in Consett is an inclusive and accessible cafe and farm open to all, but designed to meet the needs of those with physical disabilities and special needs. They offer one on one sessions and animal therapy sessions on the farm, sensory rooms, forest school with Noo Noo’s as well as other events throughout the year. They are also in the process of developing a holiday park on site with play area (Dec 2024).
Follow their page for updates at https://www.facebook.com/share/16AcMBCS6p/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Credit; Haystax Inclusive Farm and Lodges
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Repeat4Kids in Hartlepool is a sensory play venue that offers rainforest, sensory play room with calm and relaxed surroundings. Available for private hire sessions.
♿️ Wheelchair accessible
📲For more info on sessions and to book follow their page at https://www.facebook.com/share/19asoA7sAP/?mibextid=wwXIfr
My own image of Repeat4Kids from a previous visit.
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Spennymoor Leisure Centre have a multi sensory room which can be booked for use by adults and children.
🎟️An induction is required prior to use so contact their reception team to book your slot on 0300 0261 161
Follow their page for any updates at https://www.facebook.com/share/155qsetrQo/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Credit; Spennymoor Leisure Centre
Clart about Sensory Cafe, Consett
offers a safe, stimulating and relaxing environment designed to be inclusive of all children from birth.
Limited numbers for each session. Also welcoming to those with dementia who may benefit from this environment. Saturday sessions occasionally run and older siblings welcome.
♿️ Fully wheelchair accessible
🎟️ Book general (under ‘book sensory cafe’ ) and Saturday sessions (under’ specials events and Saturdays’ section) on their website via the menu at
📲 For more info and updates follow their page at https://www.facebook.com/share/15WMRmZKR2/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Credit; Clart about sensory cafe
Thanks for reading :) I hope you found this useful. For further posts you can also follow my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/familyfundarlomum
If you are a business who would be interested in me attending your venue or a specific event as a guest to publish a detailed write up and images then please email me at familyfundarlington@gmail.com or drop me a private message via the Facebook page (link above).
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