Play Your Way
Play Your Way is a special playtime for anyone who would benefit from a quieter, low-key play session at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine (CMTM), designed for families affected by Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Down Syndrome, or other challenges.
Play Your Way offers families the opportunity to explore the Museum & Theatre, meet other families with similar experiences, and see if CMTM is the right fit for you and your family.
Visitors to Play Your Way can expect a less crowded environment, modifications to age-restricted areas, and a welcoming space with supportive CMTM staff.
Play Your Way is a free event series made possible through generous support from the Pond Family Foundation and the Judith Glickman Lauder Foundation.
Every Child Belongs at CMTM
At the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine (CMTM), we’re big on belonging. That means we are continually working to create a comfortable environment for ALL Museum & Theatre visitors.
CMTM is continually working to increase the accessibility and usability of our website, building, and educational activities. In doing so, we adhere to the available ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) standards and guidelines and, in many cases, go beyond these guidelines to uphold our philosophy that every family deserves a safe place to play and learn. We are always assessing, adjusting, and listening to feedback about ways we can continue to improve.
We recognize that all guests have varying needs and comfort levels and that crowds, sound, and new environments can be a barrier to visitation. For over a decade, CMTM has offered “Play Your Way” visits, special low-key play times for anyone who would benefit from a quieter experience.
“My favorite part of Play Your Way is the community building among caregivers. A parent recently shared with me that it’s not the lower capacity limits, adjustments to exhibits or lighting that makes Play Your Way special. It’s that if her child takes off his shirt and runs away yelling, she knows that the other caregivers will empathize with her. Knowing this type of behavior can happen and her child won’t be judged makes her feel like her family belongs at CMTM.”