Sensory Room

Our Sensory Room is located at the S. Walter Stewart branch. This unique space was created with children with sensory processing needs in mind. It is also open to all children, aged birth to 12 years, to use with their parents or caregivers.

The Sensory Room is a self-serve, child-led interactive space. Adult supervision is required. Explore this space together with your child.

The room is only available by booking. To book the Sensory Room for a 60 minute session during regular branch hours, call 416-396-3975 or ask at the Children’s Desk at S. Walter Stewart branch. Bookings can be made on the same day or up to one week in advance. We look forward to welcoming you!

• Features of the Sensory Room
• We want to hear from you!
• Support
• Additional resources

Features of the Sensory Room

The Sensory Room is designed to engage and delight the senses, stimulate reactions and development, support-self regulation, and encourage communication.

The room features:

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  Image projector: Projected images stimulate the visual sense. They offer opportunities for object, shape, and colour recognition.

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  Fibre optic wall carpet: Black acrylic wall carpet features glowing pins of light. There is no heat or electricity so it is safe for children to touch.

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  Rainbow air tube: This column of light slowly cycles through different colours.

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  Tactile elements: Tactile circles on the wall provide ways to explore texture, colour, and sound.

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  Mirrors: Acrylic mirrors allow children to take in a small view of the room to help control their sensory input.

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  Magic circles: Three heat sensitive surfaces change colour with the touch of your hand.

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  Balancing and rocking equipment: Kids can explore their sense of equilibrium.

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  Gel Floor Tiles: Squishy tiles with colourful liquid encourage sensory integration and gross motor skills.

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  Somacoustic cushion: Bluetooth-enabled cushion in the podiums amplifies musical vibrations so you can feel them in the body.

  ^*Tip: You can select your own music and adjust the volume. Just connect to SHAIBANG using Bluetooth on your phone or other device. The music is muffled because it is not a speaker system; it is a way to feel the sound vibrations in the body. Please remember to disconnect your Bluetooth when you leave.

• Custom mural: This constant image helps soothe children. It provides a predictable, unchanging point of focus.
• Soft seating: A variety of seating options, including a soft bean bag chair as well as squishy and firm foam surfaces. Bean bag is not moveable.
• Adjustable blinds and dimmable lights: Visitors can adjust the lighting in the room to suit their needs.

We want to hear from you!

Toronto Public Library is committed to creating spaces that are welcoming and inclusive. Tell us about your experience of the Sensory Room at S. Walter Stewart and help us improve our spaces in the future. After your visit, please answer our short six question survey, linked below:

• English survey
• French survey

Support

In loving memory of Jae Blue, the Sensory Room is the first of its kind at Toronto Public Library and was made possible through the generous support of Jae’s family and friends.

Additional resources

Check out our other resources for families and children:

• Accessibility
  Learn more about TPL's accessibility services, equipment and collections.

• My Visit to Toronto Public Library: A Social Story for Everyone
  Available in many accessible formats.

• Disability: Read Up on It!
  Discover great children's books with positive Deaf and disability representation.

• Neurodiversity: Read Up On It!
  Discover great children's books with positive portrayals of neurodiverse people. For books in French, please visit : Neurodiversité : livres jeunesse

• Ready for Reading (Birth to 5) and TPL Kids (school-aged children)
  Find more reading suggestions and fun activities.

• Programs
  Explore in-person or online library programs.

• Your Library Card
  Find out how to get a library card and what you can do with it.