Fall River Mom Celebrates Grand Opening of Her Sensory Sensitive Space for Kids

Earlier this year, Melisa Carreiro got to work on a new play place for children in Fall River and the surrounding areas. The goal was to provide an inclusive and safe atmosphere for kids to just be kids, and the space would be directly catered to children with developmental disabilities.

After months and months of preparation, Carreiro has finally opened the doors to Little Wanderers Sensory Play on Quequechan Street, and it’s the start of something really special for SouthCoast families.

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Melissa’s Story

After fostering a child on the autism spectrum a few years ago, Tony and Melissa Carreiro began to view the world differently.

Places such as Chuck E. Cheese were overstimulating and there seemed to be a lack of inclusive spaces in the city for children with developmental and sensitivity issues. So, Melissa decided to do something about it.

After months of hard work, Carreiro hosted her grand opening celebration over the weekend and was overwhelmed with positive feedback.

“Everyone enjoyed the space and I was so pleased to see all the parents with their children enjoying the space, it made my heart so happy,” she said.

Like all hard things, it takes a tribe to get things done, and Carreiro expressed her extreme gratitude for the people who made this new space possible.

“My husband, brother-in-law and dad all dedicated their summer to make sure my dreams came true and I can’t thank them enough,” she said. “The last two weeks, me and my sister and mother were doing 12- to 14-hour days to make sure everything was absolutely perfect. ... It truly has shown it takes a village to do something like this.”

What to Expect at Little Wanderers Sensory Play in Fall River

Little Wanderers Sensory Play will be a safe and inclusive environment for the ultimate playtime, and while it will cater to children with developmental disabilities, it is open to everyone.

There will be character appearances, a parent’s lounge, weekly crafts, discounts for foster families, membership options and day pass options.

“My hope for the future is there won’t be any more children feeling left out,” Carreiro said. “My hope is that my space will become their safe space, their fun place to go and just be a kid."

Having a child with developmental disabilities comes with its own unique challenges, and Carreiro wants to provide a welcoming space for those families.

“It takes a village and I want people to know I am part of their village. I am here to help,” she said.

Visit Little Wanderers Sensory Play online to check out group packages and more.

Keep scrolling to take a look inside.