A safe place for all kids: Indoor sensory playground opens in Fort Worth suburb

The alphabet is more than letters to some people, which is why Heather Dearmore created Colors of the Alphabet.

At 6039 Precinct Line Road in North Richland Hills, Colors of the Alphabet is a safe place for children of all abilities to explore and enjoy. It opened on Dec. 19, 2024.

Dearmore said her 8-year-old autistic daughter, Acacia, was the inspiration for opening the playground.

“She absolutely loves the alphabet, and I’ve noticed over the years that she associates colors with each letter,” Dearmore said. “I put together several alphabet coloring sheets that she had colored at multiple locations — home, church, school, etc. Every A was the same color across all the sheets. Every B was the same color across the sheets and so on.”

Dearmore did some research and discovered this is called synesthesia. It is a unique way some people experience the world, where one sense triggers another automatically.

What is a sensory playground

A sensory playground is a space designed to engage all the senses through play. It includes activities and equipment that stimulate sight, sound, touch, movement, and sometimes even smell. Colors of the Alphabet offers sensory swings, a steamroller slide, and a space themed sensory room, for example.

“Our playground is especially supportive for children with sensory processing differences, offering a safe and fun environment for them,” Dearmore said. “And we always keep sensory sensitivities in mind with lighting and sound options that can be adjusted for comfort.”

Dearmore said at Colors of the Alphabet, every detail has been thoughtfully designed with neurodivergent children in mind.

“Our space is inclusive, calm, and engaging. Each piece of our equipment was carefully hand selected to provide a variety of sensory input and support children in self-regulation,” she said. “We have been told that children sleep better after visiting our playground. Teachers have told us students have better behaviors and better test scores after playing with us often.”

Natalya Maddox drives for over a half hour to bring her children to Colors of the Alphabet.

“My son gets excited as soon as we pull up. We often meet friendly families when we visit,” she said. “We’ve even been invited to a couple of birthday parties by families we’ve met here. The sensory room is very calming and there’s plenty to keep the kids entertained.”

Children playing side by side

Dearmore added that neurotypical children often play alongside special needs youngsters on the playground.

“Neurotypical children love sensory friendly activities just as much as special needs children do — and let’s be honest, these activities can be extremely beneficial to them, too,” she said. “Many parents love the idea of having a space where their child with special needs can play alongside neurotypical children, and places like that are difficult to come across.

“Maybe their child has a speech delay and they just want a friend for them who will run around and play without needing to use words.”

Hence the playground’s slogan, “No words necessary.”

Dearmore said there are many parents who have children of all abilities in one household. They may be looking for one location to bring them all to play together. “Most importantly, we wanted to create a space where all children could play together, with no judgements,” she said. “Parents feel safe when they walk in our doors because we have created a community of understanding and acceptance.”

Ivet Rios is a parent of both a neurotypical and a neurodivergent child. She said finding a space that embraces the needs of both has often felt impossible until now.

“From the moment we walked through the doors, it was clear this place was something special,” Rios said. “More than just a play space or learning center, Colors of the Alphabet has become a safe haven — a place where my children can be fully themselves, free from judgment and surrounded by love.”

About Colors of the Alphabet

“I honestly just used my own experience when dreaming of this space,” Dearmore said. “As the mother of a daughter on the autism spectrum, I knew that it was so important that we left our own home and went somewhere every single day. My daughter’s behavior was better and she was happier. She always needed a change of scenery.”

But in Texas that can be a challenge, especially with playgrounds in the summer.

“Our weather can be very questionable here in Texas but that didn’t matter to her,” she said. “Whether it’s freezing, pouring rain or 100 degrees, she still needs to get out and have a fun experience, so I wanted to create a space where families could come and enjoy, no matter what the forecast was.”

When a child comes in for open play, parents are required to stay with them. In addition, they offer Parents Nights Out and camps throughout the year, where parents can drop off their little ones.

“I was a teacher prior to opening the playground and I only hire teachers who have experience with special needs children to work our camps, so children are in very good hands,” Dearmore said.