Children’s Education Center Students Welcome Fall With Sensory Friendly Festival
Students at the Children’s Education Center enjoyed a magical day filled with fall fun and festivity at Wheatley Farms and Arts Center. 
Over two days, students from different classrooms spent time outdoors, playing with animals and creating crafts.
A Day Filled with Fall Fun
Wheatley Farms is just a short walk from the Education Center. Farm Education Manager Kimberly Nistal led the tour, teaching the students about Wheatley Farms’ resident animals.
“It’s wonderful to see the children learn and grow from these hands-on experiences,” shared Denise Gaughan, Children’s Education Center Director. “Whether petting a bunny or feeding the goats, they’re building confidence and feeling empowered in a new setting.”
The day started with a farm tour to say “hi” to pig Caspian, see the ducks and pet the bunnies. The students then walked over by the goat pen to wave at the playful animals and feed them some hay. Concluding the animal tour was a stop by resident ponies, Mango and Belle Each stop encouraged the children to practice patience, social skills, and gentle engagement with the animals.
After the animal adventures, students enjoyed a sensory activity with autumn-themed bins filled with fall leaves, acorns, and corn kernels. Some of the bins offered a soft, straw-like feel. Others were packed with Halloween-colored craft tubes, creating a fuzzy, colorful sensory experience that kept the kids engaged and smiling.
The final stop was pumpkin decorating, where students picked from the pumpkin patch.
During a craft activity, Kimberly guided the students to name their pumpkins as well as pick out googly eyes, doodles and stickers to make each one uniquely their own. After about an hour’s worth of activities, the children snacked on apple cider and donuts before taking their souvenir pumpkin back to school.
“It’s a wonderful fall experience for them,” Kimberly said. “Everyone felt really good about it.”