2104 Village Market Place, Morrisville, NC 27560
We Rock the Spectrum is a sensory-friendly kids’ gym and play center designed explicitly with neuro-diverse children in mind! It is an all-inclusive indoor play area where kids of all ages, stages, and abilities are encouraged to play and grow together. Their tagline is “FINALLY A PLACE WHERE YOU NEVER HAVE TO SAY I’M SORRY”, and based on my experience there this past week, I’d say that is completely accurate!
Open Play
I recently took my three kids ages 5, 7, and 8 to enjoy open play on a Sunday afternoon at We Rock the Spectrum. I’ll preface this review by saying that I do not have a child on the autism spectrum and am unable to speak from that perspective, but you can tell the gym owners have done lots of research and have chosen play items based on scientific research to best accommodate these children. Either way, my kids loved this place and were raving about it the whole way home!
We were given 2 hours to enjoy the play area as we wish. My kids naturally gravitated to physical activities like the zip line, swings, trampoline, and climbing areas. My 7-year-old surprisingly loved the calming room and camped out for a while reading a book in the tent. The girls also spent some time throwing basketballs in the teen room before I told them they were too young to be in there.
In addition to the physical activities, we also enjoyed the pretend play area that included a veterinarian’s office and medical clinic. I became the patient while my kid doctors took my blood pressure and gave me shots. My little guy also spent quite a bit of time at the train table, which he tends to gravitate to at Marbles and Little Doodles. I was surprised my girls didn’t spend more time in the arts & crafts area, but I think they were too distracted with everything else!
Gym Equipment
We Rock the Spectrum has chosen a variety of gym equipment scientifically designed for play:
- SUSPENDED EQUIPMENT WITH SWINGS – FOR BALANCE AND VESTIBULAR TREATMENT
- CRASH MATS AND CRASH PILLOWS – FOR FUN, MOTOR PLANNING, AND STRENGTH
- ZIP LINE – FOR STRESS RELEASE AND JOINT AND BODY RELAXATION
- TRAMPOLINE – FOR BUILDING LEG AND CORE STRENGTH
- INDOOR PLAY STRUCTURE – FOR CLIMBING AND INCREASING PLAYGROUND SKILLS
- SENSORY-BASED TOYS AND EQUIPMENT– FOR IMPROVED AUDITORY PROCESSING AND FINE MOTOR SKILLS
- FINE MOTOR AND ARTS AND CRAFTS AREA – FOR IMPROVED HAND-EYE COORDINATION
- CALMING ROOM – FOR REGULATING EMOTIONS, AND REDUCING NEGATIVE SENSORY INPUT
- PRIVATE ROOM FOR B-DAY PARTIES, PRIVATE EVENTS AND CLASSES
- RETAIL SHOP + HEALTHY SNACKS AND BEVERAGES
Watch out for swings!
We love the plethora of swings available for sensory-seeking kiddos, but it’s also something to look out for! This could cause an issue for kids who don’t know how to avoid getting hit.
Swings were my enemy when I had young toddlers. It never failed, my babies would always run right in front of someone swinging and get hit. I used to lament that my favorite toddler playground in North Raleigh had swings inside the gated playground. Otherwise, it would have been perfect to let the babies roam free without mom having to hover!
Luckily, no one was hit by a swing during our visit at We Rock the Spectrum, but parents will need to be on guard if this is something that may affect their child. The swings are spaced far enough apart that they will not hit each other while in motion, but they are located in the middle of the room so you will need to stay conscious of them and avoid them if necessary. If you have a young toddler, you will need to hover a bit in the main gym area to keep them safe from swinging children.
Separate Toddler & Baby Area
Toddler parents, if you need a chance to sit back and relax, there is a separate baby area designed for kids 2 and under! This is your chance to contain your baby in a safe spot while you take a breath or attend to an older child. I always loved it when play areas offered a contained toddler area, so I’m pleased to report that We Rock the Spectrum is on our list of indoor play areas with a separate baby area that caters specifically to the 2 & under crowd.
Calming Room
For those who may need a bit of a sensory break, the calming room is well-equipped for a variety of needs. Headphones and fidget toys are available, as well as soft lights and spaces. Curl up in the astronaut tent or play with the light-up bricks. This space is perfect for a little quiet time before or after your rambunctious play!
Teen Room
At We Rock the Spectrum, teens have their own unique space just for them. There is a small fooseball table, basketball hoops, TV, board games, and age-appropriate books.
Party Room
Another great perk is that there is a large private party room available! Most party bookings include completely private play where the gym is closed to the public! This allows you to tailor your event to your specific child’s needs and make sure they will not be overwhelmed by the number of people in attendance. Check out all of the party packages here.
An accessible space for all!
Unlike some other accessible play areas I have visited, what I loved the most about this gym was that it was designed for everyone! It allowed my neurotypical kids to spend time with neurodiverse kids and learn how to find a way to play together. My 7-year-old found a friend in the calming room and spent some quiet time in a fort together. My 5-year-old noticed an over-stimulated child on the swing, and I took the opportunity to encourage him to be a little quieter for our friends’ sake. I love that we were all playing together despite any differences there may be. It was just a room full of kids having fun and accommodating their needs in multiple different ways!
In order to truly be welcoming for all, the entire gym is handicap accessible and even has an adult changing table in the family bathroom! I know I have seen a lot of parents ask for this, and I’m so excited to finally see one!
Admission
Ready to plan your visit?! The cost for open play is currently $18 for 2 hours of play. There is a sibling discount of $2 per child, and monthly memberships and multi-visit packages are available.
No shoes are allowed on the gym floor, so bring your own socks (for adults & kids) or you can purchase some from the front desk if you forget. Food and drink are not allowed on the gym floor, but there is a cafe area in the front lobby where you may eat. You may bring snacks from home or some are available for purchase. Also, be sure to check out the amazing toys for sale in the lobby! I found lots of cute items that would make great birthday gifts!
So what do you think?! Are you excited about this new sensory-friendly indoor play area in Cary?! I know I am! Check out our list of other indoor play areas to beat the heat this summer!