Sensory Tool House
Discovering Sensory Serenity: Exploring Thurston County With The Sensory Tool House
Traveling with neurodivergent family members can present unique challenges, from navigating unfamiliar environments to managing sensory overload, the journey can be daunting.
Amidst these obstacles exists a community-focused space designed to support neurodiverse individuals and their families. The Sensory Tool House in Lacey is a retail shop offering sensory-supportive equipment and tools you can try before you buy. It is an amazing resource for where to find additional services and accommodations to make your experiences in Thurston County more comfortable and enjoyable. It’s more than just a store—it’s a community hub where sensory support and inclusion flourish in every corner
Neurodivergent individuals may face a variety of challenges while traveling, including sensory overload when in unfamiliar environments which can lead to heightened anxiety or discomfort, sensory sensitivities caused by bright lights, loud noises, and strong smells, and the general limited accessibility of accommodations and tourist attractions that can cause significant barriers for neurodivergent individuals and families. The good news is Thurston County is becoming a welcoming space for all visitors with the help and guidance of the Sensory Tool House.
Sensory Tool House - A Safe and Welcoming Space
Founder Katie McMurray and Director of Operations Lauren Howard are themselves neurodivergent and are raising neurodivergent children. Recognizing that not everyone had access to support services and therapy they’d experienced with their children, and recalling the barriers they themselves experienced when it came to finding sensory tools and accessible experiences, they decided to open a retail shop to make it easier for their community to try out and experience the tools before they committed to a purchase.
“It’s not easy buying sensory tools online,” Katie admits, “some tools feel differently or smell differently from one person to the next. It’s so much better if you can get your hands on these products, feel the material, and experience the way they smell, so I called Lauren up to ask if she’d be interested in opening a shop.”
![Two women pose for a photo in their sensory toy store](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sensory-tool-house-05.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=5f8302580935dc2b3af3390a93631b51 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sensory-tool-house-05.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=059302d711b3fda6578a3c9ff7f3c1b5 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sensory-tool-house-05.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=b620eed654d44cc8ddbfae7a63960057 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sensory-tool-house-05.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=e70d2642e8b4a212f51f80d176ef38bd 1024w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sensory-tool-house-05.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=81632f0b6ec6a41d6b987aa44ed7b324 1200w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sensory-tool-house-05.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=f4e2b74ae2c3f311a5b17227b6ba4659 1440w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sensory-tool-house-05.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=b807cc5fa9ef2e9f2498f8ec65d9fe79 1920w)
Together, Katie and Lauren set out to create not only a supportive space where their community could come in and try sensory products out first-hand, but a place where families could come and be themselves in a sorry-free-zone.
“No one who comes here should ever apologize for regulatory behavior,” shares Katie. “This is a space where you can be yourself, no masking, and feel safe.” Sensory Tool House is the perfect place for people to regulate and soothe themselves in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment.
![](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sensory-tool-house-04.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=9184ee97d95bb50de5a70835ade2bcda 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sensory-tool-house-04.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=fb4ccecf622746e2480ba708529a7fa6 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sensory-tool-house-04.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=e3fee4e6350aa323fd990f05c5c79cb0 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sensory-tool-house-04.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=1024&s=b1d6acc59fc7dee5c2ef313075452e4a 800w)
Sensory Products
The Sensory Tool House is a treasure trove of sensory tools for all ages and types of people experiencing neurodiversity. From sensory and adaptive clothing and sensory hideouts to sensory swings. Here are just a few of the collections the Tool House offers:
- Balance and Spin products
- Compression and Deep Pressure
- Ear Protection and Sound Machines
- Childrens Books
- Fidget Fun
- Fine Motor
- Lights
- Oral Motor Chews
![](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sensory-tool-house-01.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=d883460b01df01f125ad76a8416616ee 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sensory-tool-house-01.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=83bc9cdb676813da785a3b512ab30a33 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sensory-tool-house-01.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=d390d776434c7c56c2ddcbe445aba982 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sensory-tool-house-01.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=1024&s=93a0c3552a584faf86502060354efea9 800w)
The Sensory Room
A sensory room provides an inclusive and calming environment designed to engage and soothe the senses. The sensory room at Sensory Tool House is open daily for anyone needing a space to regulate, soothe, reduce stress, and calm anxiety.
![](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sensory-tool-house-03.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=8bd7c6d774fb50ea14b9bec56d4501b7 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sensory-tool-house-03.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=93b0b93cf1c0f17589711a9d5bb4349e 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sensory-tool-house-03.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=f4c5e90fb61f0ad764b665af1eae09a0 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sensory-tool-house-03.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=1024&s=d17348961ddee7a7e7af42f2eb165eb1 800w)
Full-Sized Changing Table
Sensory Tool House features an adult-size changing table for people of all ages and abilities to access a safe, dignified, and hygienic toileting experience. They also have a gender-neutral bathroom.
The Sensory Tool House, Your Haven for Neurodivergent Support
When Kate and Lauren opened the store, they quickly discovered that there were a lot of gaps and missed opportunities in Thurston County for other businesses and organizations to learn how easily they could become more accessible. They reached out to community leaders and nonprofits in the region and are now working with businesses to help them make their spaces more welcoming and inclusive.
“It doesn’t take a lot of money, or materials, or more people to help businesses be more accessible,” Lauren says, “You just have to care about wanting an experience where everyone can feel comfortable. You have to want to be more inclusive.” She goes on to share that sometimes that might mean being okay with feeling uncomfortable yourself and doing something a little bit differently than the way you’ve done it before.
If you’ve never been to a sensory store before and you’re not sure where to start, Katie and Lauren encourage you to just come. It’s okay if you’re nervous, it’s okay if you have a lot of questions. The staff, most of whom are neurodivergent, are great at putting first-time visitors at ease. They encourage you to call ahead and let someone know if you feel there might be some regulatory behaviors that you’re nervous about. They’re happy to talk you through that.
If you’re not quite ready or are unable to stop by the store but are looking for accessible businesses and experiences, the Sensory Tool House Resources page is an indispensable tool. Visiting the website is a great way to familiarize yourself with what you can expect when you do come to visit.
Sensory Tool House
5831 Lacey Blvd SE Ste. J, Lacey, WA 98503
360-915-9457
Tuesday - Saturday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Monday: Closed