Sensory-Friendly Morning at Iowa State Fair

ChildServe will sponsor the fourth annual Sensory-Friendly Morning from 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Aug. 13 at the Iowa State Fair. During the Sensory-Friendly Morning, the fair will create an environment designed for children, teens and adults with autism or sensory processing disorders in mind, so families who have a member with special healthcare needs can visit, explore and enjoy the fair.

Sensory-Friendly Morning attendees will experience staple traditions of the event and new activities in 2025, including the inclusive Variety Star Playground and the ability to put their skills in the kitchen to work making traditional Fair Squares.

Along with specialized programming throughout the fairgrounds, ChildServe Calming Rooms will again be available and staffed by ChildServe therapists. If an individual gets overstimulated at the fair, these rooms provide families a safe space to take a break. Activities are in place for individuals who need relief from the fair’s stimulating environment as well as those who need to release energy to regulate their bodies.

Additional information on ChildServe’s affiliation with Sensory-Friendly Morning can be found online by visiting https://www.iowastatefair.org/visit/sensory-friendly-morning or https://www.childserve.org/sensory-friendly-morning-at-the-iowa-state-fair-2025/.