Sensory-friendly experiences in Naples are growing, thanks to an expanded partnership between Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples and Lee Health’s Golisano Children’s Hospital. Together, they are focused on helping children with autism and other sensory differences feel more comfortable as they explore, play, and learn.
This partnership brings new tools and support to families across Southwest Florida, including those in Collier and Lee Counties. The newest feature is a Calm & Comfort kit that any guest can request during a visit to CMON.
What is the new sensory-friendly Calm & Comfort Kit?
Through this expanded partnership, CMON and Golisano Children’s Hospital are working together to make museum visits more accessible and welcoming. Their shared goal is to support children’s well-being, accessibility, and meaningful engagement in a busy, hands-on environment.
A key part of this effort is the Calm & Comfort kit, now available at CMON. These kits are designed specifically for children with autism and other physical, neurological, and sensory processing differences, but they are available to any guest who requests one.
By bringing hospital expertise into a playful community setting, the partnership helps families experience sensory-friendly museum experiences in Naples, not just in medical spaces. It is another way families in Collier and Lee Counties can feel supported as they enjoy time together.
Where and how can my child use a Calm & Comfort kit?
The Calm & Comfort kits are now available at CMON and can be requested by any guest. When you arrive, you can ask a staff member for a kit so your child has extra support from the beginning of your visit.
Your child can use the items anywhere in the museum as they move through exhibits and activities. The goal is to help children manage sensory input, self-regulate, and feel safe and supported while they explore.
This partnership builds on Golisano Children’s Hospital’s work in sensory-friendly certifications and specialized programs. Those same inclusive principles are now reaching families in community spaces where children learn, play, and grow.
What is inside the Calm & Comfort kits for my child?
Each Calm & Comfort kit contains thoughtfully selected, sensory-friendly tools. Every item is geared toward one or more of the eight sensory systems and is designed to help children self-regulate and feel calmer during their visit.
Items in the Calm & Comfort kits include:
- Texture timer
- My feelings mirror
- Tactile hex
- Light fidget spinner
- Soft oral wristlet
- Therapy brush
- Scented stickers
- Pop tube
- Resistance band
These tools can give your child something safe to hold, squeeze, look at, or move with when the museum feels exciting or overwhelming. The goal is to support your child’s comfort without taking away from the fun of exploring.
Who are these sensory-friendly tools designed to support?
The Calm & Comfort kits are designed for children with autism and other physical, neurological, and sensory processing differences. However, they are available to any child who might benefit from extra sensory support during a museum visit.
CMON leaders see this as a meaningful step toward welcoming more families and removing barriers to play. “This partnership allows us to better support the diverse sensory needs of the children and families we serve,” said Jonathan Foerster, Chief Executive Officer at CMON. “By offering these Calm & Comfort kits, we’re helping remove barriers and ensuring CMON is a welcoming place where all children can explore, learn, and play comfortably.”
Golisano Children’s Hospital shares the same commitment to inclusive environments. “At Golisano Children’s Hospital, we are deeply committed to creating inclusive, supportive environments for children, within our hospital walls and across the places where children learn, play, and grow,” said Alyssa Kasiewicz, the VP and Chief Nurse & Operations Executive for Children’s Services at Lee Health. “Our sensory-friendly certifications and specialized programs reflect that commitment, and this expanded partnership with the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples allows us to extend those principles into the community. Together, we want families to feel welcomed, understood, and supported wherever in our spaces.”
How does CMON support playful learning for my child?
CMON is Southwest Florida’s first museum dedicated to children and families learning through play. The museum offers immersive, hands-on exhibit galleries where visitors can explore, imagine, and discover together.
Your child can journey through the swamps of the Everglades, climb a towering banyan tree, and experiment with interactive water play. They can become a weather forecaster, farmer, chef, fisherman, or artist while exploring the sounds, sights, and forces of nature.
Throughout the day, special activities encourage children to try something new and stay engaged. CMON also offers educational programs, classes, camps, and special events that build creativity, curiosity, and early learning. Later this year, the museum will open a new Early Learning Center, expanding its impact for young learners across Collier and Lee Counties.
Explore upcoming programs and events at cmon.org and look for opportunities that match your child’s interests and needs.
How can I plan our visit and stay connected?
To learn more about CMON, you can visit cmon.org or call 239-260-1604 for details about hours, tickets, and programs. You can also follow CMON on Facebook and Instagram at @childrensmuseumofnaples to see updates on exhibits and family events.
Families across Southwest Florida, including Collier and Lee Counties, can benefit from both the playful exhibits at CMON and the expertise of Golisano Children’s Hospital. Together, they are working to make a sensory-friendly museum experience easier and more welcoming for every child.