Creating a Welcoming Sanctuary: Sensory-Friendly Churches for Everyone

Think back to the last church service you attended. The uplifting sounds of the choir fill the air, sunlight streams through stained glass windows, and families gathered for worship. But for some children and adults, this sensory experience can be overwhelming. Bright lights, loud music, and crowded pews can trigger anxiety and sensory overload, making participation difficult. The good news is that churches can create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone by embracing sensory-friendly practices, including creating a church sensory room for your congregation.

For more information about the experience of attending church with a child with sensory sensitivities, check out Shawna Wingert’s blog post.

The Power of Sensory Inclusion at Church

Creating a sensory-friendly church environment is an act of inclusion and compassion. Sensory sensitivities can affect people of all ages and abilities, not just those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, sensory processing differences can also be experienced by individuals with other conditions, including anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), post-concussion syndrome, intellectual disability, hearing loss, and even dementia.

Creating a Sensory-Friendly Church: A Win-Win for Everyone

Here are just a few of the many benefits of creating a sensory-friendly church environment that do much more for the congregation:

• Increased Family Attendance: When a church caters to sensory sensitivities, families with children who may struggle in a traditional service setting are more likely to attend regularly. This fosters a sense of belonging and strengthens the church community.
• Improved Family Comfort: By offering a sensory room or implementing sensory-friendly practices, churches can ensure a more comfortable experience for all families, reducing anxiety and promoting positive participation.
• Greater Accessibility: Sensory-friendly churches become more accessible to a wider range of individuals, including those with sensory processing differences and their families. This aligns with the core values of inclusion and compassion that many churches hold dear.
• More Inclusive Congregation: Sensory-friendly practices demonstrate a commitment to inclusion, welcoming individuals of all abilities and backgrounds to participate fully in the church community.
• Positive Relationships with Children: When churches accommodate sensory needs, they build positive relationships with children who may have previously struggled during services. This fosters a lifelong connection to the church and its teachings.
• Addressing Sensory Differences: Sensory-friendly churches acknowledge and address the sensory needs of children and youth, creating a more supportive and understanding environment for all.

By embracing sensory inclusion, your congregation can create a church sensory room and sensory-friendly worship where everyone feels welcome, valued, and able to participate meaningfully in the spiritual life of the community.

Building a Sensory-Friendly Space

One way to enhance inclusion at church is the creation of a sensory room. This dedicated space provides a calming retreat for individuals who feel overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, and social interactions of the main worship area. Imagine a child who finds the music and sermon captivating but struggles with the scratchy fabric of a pew or the bright overhead lights. A sensory room provides a refuge where they can regulate their sensory input and return to the service feeling refreshed.

It’s important to remember that sensory preferences vary widely. For example, while some people find the sensory aspects of church services uplifting and engaging, others may crave a quieter, less stimulating environment. Furthermore, a sensory-friendly approach acknowledges this diversity and strives to create a space where everyone feels comfortable participating, whether they seek the sensory richness of the main service or a temporary break from it.

Here are some decisions to consider when creating a sensory room at church:

• Location: Ideally, the room should be easily accessible from worship space.
• Age Range:  For example, tailor the room’s furnishings and activities to the age groups you’ll primarily serve.
• Purpose: Will the room be solely for sensory needs, or can it also function as a play area? In addtion, consider creating a separate quiet room for adults seeking a more peaceful space.
• Sensory Engagement: Aim to engage all eight senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell, movement, proprioception, and vestibular) in a calming way.

Sensory Room Ideas on a Budget

Creating a sensory room doesn’t require a significant financial investment. Here are some budget-friendly tips:

• Start Simple: Begin with basic furniture and add more elements over time.
• Upcycled Treasures: Encourage furniture donations from congregation members.
• DIY Solutions: Get creative with DIY sensory activities and decorations.
• Fundraising: Consider fundraising initiatives to purchase specific items.
• Grant Opportunities: Research grant programs that support accessibility initiatives.

Focus on Calming Elements:

When equipping your sensory room, prioritize calming and focusing items. Moreover, avoid including toys that are loud or visually stimulating. For example, popular sensory room features include:

• Soft seating options (beanbag chairs, rocking chairs, armchairs)
• Fidget toys and stress balls
• Tactile surfaces (textured mats, pillows)
• Dimmable lighting and floor lamps
• Noise-canceling headphones
• Calming visuals (nature scenes, calming colors)

Additional Considerations:

• Accessibility: Ensure the room has an accessible entrance and a nearby accessible restroom.
• Safety:  For instance, remove any choking hazards or items that could pose a safety risk to young children.
• Supervision: Consider having a volunteer available to supervise the sensory room, especially during services.

Sensory Room Spotlights

Furthermore, you can discover more about sensory rooms in our related blogs:

• Creating a Calming Oasis: The Ultimate Guide to Sensory Room Equipment
• What is a Sensory Room?
• How Portable Sensory Rooms Create Inclusion
• Sensory Rooms in Schools: A Haven for Learners

Sensory-Friendly Worship Practices

Beyond creating a dedicated church sensory room or sensory-friendlyspace, there are several ways to make your entire worship service more sensory-friendly. For example, make change to:

• Lighting: Avoid extremes in lighting. Opt for soft, natural light whenever possible.
• Sound Quality: Ensure clear and high-quality sound without distortion or static.
• Printed Service Plans: Provide printed or digital service plans outlining the order of service, including the length of each section and timing of music. Indicate quieter and louder moments in the service.
• Seating Options: Offer a variety of seating options, including space for wheelchairs and walkers. Consider adding rocking chairs, armchairs, or smaller chairs for children.
• Screening Room: Provide a designated space with video and audio feed for those who may need a quieter space during the service.

Exploring Further: A World of Sensory Inclusion

Want to Create Your Own Sensory Haven?

Creating a sensory-friendly space, like a church sensory room, is a wonderful way to make everyone feel welcome and included. If you’re inspired to create your own sensory haven, we’re here to help!

Our Sensory Friendly 101 course is a fantastic starting point. This comprehensive online course covers everything from understanding sensory processing to designing calming spaces. It’s part of our low-cost Training Membership, which gives you access to a wealth of resources to support your church community.

Ready to take the next step? Enroll in our Sensory Friendly 101 course today and start creating a more inclusive environment for everyone.

Hear from Our Founder

Watch this short video from our founder, Christel Seeberger, to discover how our vision for sensory-friendly spaces can benefit you and your community with our Training Membership.

Sensory-Friendly Fun for All Church Events!

Creating a sensory-friendly church is an ongoing journey. Here are some additional resources to explore:

Does your church host other community events like camps, or community gatherings? The principles of sensory inclusion can be applied to these events as well! We’ll explore some creative ideas in a future blog post to help you make all your church activities welcoming and accessible for everyone.

• Create a Sensory-Friendly Camp
• How to Offer a Sensitive Santa Event
• Why a Quiet Zone Is Important For Your Santa Claus Parade
• How to Create Sensory-Friendly Events

Explore Our Latest Blogs
Check out our newest blog posts for valuable tips, resources, and expert advice on creating sensory-friendly environments

Join Our Newsletter
Stay up to date with the latest news, insights, and special offers by subscribing to our newsletter. Be the first to access exclusive content!