Children and adults with special needs and their families are invited to attend Sensory Friendly Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 19 at the University of Nebraska State Museum at Morrill Hall.

The event will offer a morning at the museum for families to experience the new fourth floor and participate in activities in a quieter, more supportive environment. Areas of the museum will be altered, including exhibit audio being turned down or off.

Several activity stations will be set up on different floors for visitors to feel animal hides, dig in a sandbox and explore items at a touch table. Mueller Planetarium will offer a free planetarium experience. Families are encourage to come and go as they please.

Two yoga sessions will take place at 10:45 and 11:30 a.m. Visitors can bring a yoga mat, or mats will be provided. Designated “take a break” spaces will be available on the second and third floors if visitors need a quiet space. Fidgets will be available for use while in the museum.

“We are committed to supporting our special-needs families,” said Susan Weller, museum director. “We look forward to providing this unique, customized museum experience for them, and are grateful for donor support that enables us to better serve our community.”

Museum admission is free from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. thanks to support from the Claire M. Hubbard Foundation. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required. Registration comes with information to help plan a visit. Register here.

Regular museum and planetarium admission will begin at 12:30 p.m.