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Days out with ear defenders or sensory kit to borrow in the North East
These places in the North East lend ear defenders, sensory bags or fidget kits, usually from reception and often free. Here is what each one says.
Every entry comes from the venue's own website and links to it. Details change, so check before you go.
| Place | What they say | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Dalton Park Murton, Seaham | Sensory bags (fidgets, ear defenders, egg timers, sunglasses) from Guest Services, £20 refundable deposit, age 6 plus; made with the North East Autism Society. Free sunflower lanyards. | Their page Checked 26 Oct 2026 |
| Locomotion Shildon | Ear defenders and sensory resource packs to borrow from the welcome desk | Their page Checked 27 Oct 2026 |
| Museum of Archaeology (Palace Green Library) Durham | Ear defenders and sensory bags can be offered for booked group visits | Their page Checked 31 Oct 2026 |
| Oriental Museum Durham | Sensory bags available at the Visitor Services Desk | Their page Checked 27 Oct 2026 |
| Palace Green Library Durham | For booked group visits: sensory bags, ear defenders and a breakout quiet space | Their page Checked 30 Oct 2026 |
| Cragside (National Trust) Rothbury, Morpeth | Ear defenders to borrow (in the Calm Corner) | Their page Checked 27 Oct 2026 |
| Hexham Old Gaol Hexham | Ear defenders free to borrow from the Welcome Desk | Their page Checked 30 Oct 2026 |
| Northumberland Zoo Felton, Morpeth | Fidgets and ear muffs during quiet hours | Their page Checked 28 Oct 2026 |
| Roman Army Museum Greenhead | Free sensory bags to borrow on site, with headphones, a sand timer, fidget toys, PEC cards, a kaleidoscope camera and a soft Roman soldier toy | Their page Checked 30 Oct 2026 |
| The Alnwick Garden Alnwick | Five free children's sensory packs with ear defenders and two fidget toys, from Admissions. | Their page Checked 26 Oct 2026 |
| Vindolanda Roman Fort and Museum Bardon Mill | Free sensory bags to use on site, with headphones, a sand timer, fidget toys, PEC cards, a magnifying glass and a soft Roman soldier toy | Their page Checked 30 Oct 2026 |
| Whitehouse Farm Centre Morpeth | Sensory bags to hire from the gift shop (ear defenders, sunglasses, mask, fidget toys), £20 deposit | Their page Checked 27 Oct 2026 |
| Woodhorn Museum Ashington | Ear defenders from the Welcome Desk. | Their page Checked 26 Oct 2026 |
| Kirkleatham Museum Redcar | Fidget kits and ear defenders on request from museum reception. Sensory play stations are coming soon | Their page Checked 27 Oct 2026 |
| MIMA (Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art) Middlesbrough | Borrow what you need from the mobile display unit in the atrium: noise reducing ear defenders, an easy hold magnifier, A6 sketchbooks and the MIMA book of exploring and imagining, to use before, during and after your visit | Their page Checked 30 Oct 2026 |
| Preston Park Museum and Grounds Stockton-on-Tees | Free sensory bags with ear defenders and sensory toys to borrow from the Welcome Desk, with no need to book. Sunflower lanyards can also be borrowed | Their page Checked 29 Oct 2026 |
| Arbeia Roman Fort South Shields | Two sensory backpacks (noise cancelling headphones, stress ball and other calming items) on loan from reception; ID taken as deposit | Their page Checked 27 Oct 2026 |
| BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art Gateshead | Sensory bags | Their page Checked 27 Oct 2026 |
| Eldon Square Newcastle upon Tyne | Sensory bags with ear defenders, fidget toys and egg timers can be hired from the customer service desks at Fenwick and St Andrew's Way, with a £20 refundable deposit | Their page Checked 29 Oct 2026 |
| Great North Museum: Hancock Newcastle upon Tyne | Adult and child ear defenders and sensory bags from the front desk, plus torches, overlays and stools. | Their page Checked 26 Oct 2026 |
| Life Science Centre Newcastle upon Tyne | Sensory bags (ear defenders, sunglasses, fidgets, visual story) and ear defenders for a £10 refundable deposit. | Their page Checked 28 Oct 2026 |
| Metrocentre Gateshead | Sensory backpacks with ear defenders and fidget toys. | Their page Checked 26 Oct 2026 |
| Newcastle Falcons, Kingston Park Newcastle upon Tyne | Matchday sensory packs with ear defenders and sensory toys from the club shop (£15 refundable hire). | Their page Checked 27 Oct 2026 |
| Northern Stage Newcastle upon Tyne | Adult and child ear defenders from the box office. | Their page Checked 26 Oct 2026 |
| South Shields Museum and Art Gallery South Shields | Two sensory backpacks (noise cancelling headphones, stress ball, theraputty, Lego) from reception, ID as deposit. | Their page Checked 26 Oct 2026 |
| Sunderland Empire Sunderland | Free sensory bags to borrow during the visit; ask staff on arrival. | Their page Checked 26 Oct 2026 |
| The Bridges Shopping Centre Sunderland | Sensory bags with ear defenders, fidget toys and visual communication cards to hire by calling 0191 510 8581 (£10 refundable deposit) | Their page Checked 30 Oct 2026 |
| The Glasshouse International Centre for Music Gateshead | Ear defenders are available. The Glasshouse doesn't have a sensory kit to borrow | Their page Checked 28 Oct 2026 |
More in North East England: Changing Places toilets · Carer tickets · Quiet rooms · Visual stories · Sensory maps
Sensory kit to borrow elsewhere: Yorkshire · North West England