A museum of American Indian art in central Phoenix and a Pal Place. Weighted lap pads, sensory bags and noise-canceling headphones can be checked out with a photo ID, and a Pal video and digital guide show the visit ahead of time.
“Weighted lap pads provide a calming, grounding effect for visitors with sensory processing challenges, helping improve focus during their museum experience.” Available in 3 lb, 5 lb and 7.5 lb weights.
“Noise-Canceling Headphones are available to help reduce sound, create a calming experience, and enhance focus during your museum visit. Available in children & adult sizes.”
“Please note: A photo identification card is required for device check-out.”
The museum's sensory bags include a fidget toy, a sensory tube and noise-cancelling headphones. The Pal guide the museum links says sensory bags are available to check out at Guest Services.
The museum is a Pal Place. Its Pal video and step-by-step digital guide follow a family through arriving, the galleries, the Family Activity Room, a snack and the shop, and time to go. Watch them together before you go.
The Pal guide also names the Family Activity Room as a break spot where kids can move, play and do hands-on activities. Inside the Heardlings Family Activity Room, the Art Spot-Lite is a huge board that lights up with your designs, and the Story Circle has iPad videos.
The Pal guide says empathy kits, with changing supplies for all ages, are available for use near the lockers.
At the World Championship Hoop Dance Contest (February 6 and 7, 2027), the museum says visitors can also use sensory-friendly resources, including noise-canceling headphones and weighted lap pads.
Weighted lap pads, sensory bags and headphones can be checked out with a photo ID.
Backpacks go in a free locker; outside food and drinks aren't allowed inside. The Pal guide adds "unless medically necessary" for outside food, drinks and bags, and says you're welcome to enjoy your own snacks in the Courtyard.
Parking on the museum grounds is free during museum hours, except at big events, when parking is often off-site (see the event page).
For a full-size copy your child can use, open this page at squaredsteps.com, tap Make it yours, then print.
More about Heard Museum
Quieter, in the Pal guide's words
The Courtyardquiet zone
Admission: Adults (18+) $26.00; Seniors (65+) $21.00; College Students (with ID) $10.00; Children (6 to 17) $10.00; Military (with ID) $21.00; Children 5 and under free; American Indians (with Tribal ID or CIB) free; members free. You can buy tickets online. Museums for All: people receiving SNAP benefits pay a reduced $5 per person, up to four people, with a SNAP EBT card. Library cardholders can check out an Act One Culture Pass from their local library for free admission or tickets for two people (ticketed and special events aren't eligible); a gate fee may be charged for special exhibitions. Bank of America Museums on Us: on the first full weekend of each month, one free general admission with an active Bank of America or Merrill card (or a Bank of America ID) and a photo ID. AAA members get $1 off adult or senior admission. More passes and in-person discounts are on the Heard's tickets page. During select special events, ticket requirements may vary; see the event's page.
Parking is free during museum hours, except at big events, when parking is often off-site (see the event page). ADA parking is in the east lot, and may also be in the north lot. Rideshare drop-off and pick-up is in the curved area near the east entrance of the Courtyard, next to the Courtyard Café. By light rail, get off at Encanto/Central, about a 5-minute walk.
Backpacks, umbrellas, selfie sticks and similar items are not permitted in the museum; leave them at home or store them in one of the free lockers. Outside food and drinks are not permitted inside the museum; food and drinks for sale must be eaten in the Courtyard Café or Coffee Cantina. The Pal guide adds "unless medically necessary" for outside food, drinks and bags, and says you're welcome to enjoy your own snacks in the Courtyard.
Courtyard Café: 11 am to 3 pm. Coffee Cantina: 9 am to 4 pm (both closed Mondays June 1 to August 31).
Children under 12 must be with an adult. No flash photography in the galleries.
Restrooms are on the first floor outside the Lovena Ohl Gallery and inside the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Grand Gallery, with more in the Courtyard next to the Café. Wheelchairs are free to use, first come, first served.
