Inclusive Play Events Coming to Cork and Dublin for Children with Additional Needs
Inclusive Sensory Swap & Play events for children with additional needs are coming to UCC Cork on 29 March and Dublin on 12 April 2026.
A new series of specially designed play sessions is coming to Cork this spring, offering children with additional and sensory needs a calm, welcoming space to explore, interact, and simply be themselves.
Irish social enterprise The Toy Library will host two Sensory Swap & Play events across Ireland, with the Cork event taking place on 29 March 2026 at Aula Maxima, University College Cork. A second session will follow in Dublin on 12 April 2026 at Kilnamanagh Family Resource Centre, Dublin 24.
Developed in response to direct feedback from parents within The Toy Library community, the events are designed to address a gap many families face: safe, accessible play environments that accommodate sensory sensitivities and diverse developmental needs.
Traditional play settings can often feel overwhelming for children with additional needs, due to noise levels, crowds, or a lack of appropriate supports. The Sensory Swap & Play sessions aim to reduce these barriers through structured layouts, quieter zones, and access to a wide range of carefully selected developmental and sensory toys.
Giorgia Anile, Founder of The Toy Library, said:
"Play is not just recreation, it is how children learn, connect, and build confidence. Parents in our community told us how transformative inclusive play environments can be for their children. One parent described it as the first time their child felt truly comfortable in a social play setting. That feedback made it clear we needed to expand this work."
The Toy Library, Ireland's first digital toy-sharing platform, was founded to make play more accessible, sustainable, and inclusive, while reducing waste through toy reuse and community sharing.
After unsuccessful applications for public funding, the organisation launched a crowdfunding campaign to ensure the events remain affordable and accessible to families who may already face significant financial pressures linked to therapies and supports.
Each session will offer a shared inclusive play space open to all children, access to developmental and sensory toys, a low-pressure environment for exploration and social interaction, and opportunities for families to connect and feel supported within their community.
Anile added:
"When you support Sensory Swap & Play, you are not just funding an event. You are helping a child feel included, supporting families who often feel isolated, and reinforcing the idea that play should be accessible to every child."
The public can support the crowdfunding campaign or find out more at gofundme.com/f/sensory-swapplay-for-children-with-special-needs, and further information about The Toy Library is available at thetoylibrary.ie.
