Little Wanderers Sensory Play in Fall River Celebrates One Year in Business

Time flies when you’re having fun and making a difference in the community.

Little Wanderers Sensory Play in Fall River opened its doors for the first time last September, and after one year in business, Melissa Carreiro is just getting started with her inclusive play area for kids.

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Who Is Melissa Carreiro?

Melissa Carreiro and her husband, Tony, opened their home to a foster child on the autism spectrum a few years ago (now their adopted son alongside his sister) and they quickly realized there was a lack of inclusive spaces in the city.

Play areas like Chuck E.  Cheese were too overstimulating. Trying to provide a fulfilling childhood for a child with sensitivity issues became a lonely process.

But Carreiro knew she wasn’t alone and decided to open Little Wanderers Sensory Play on Quequechan Street to offer a fun place for kids with developmental disabilities.

On the surface, Little Wanderrers was a safe and inclusive atmosphere for kids to be kids, catered to children on the spectrum.

At its core, it became a community for families to not feel so alone.

READ MORE: Fall River Mom Gets Approval Sensory Sensitive Space for Kids

Little Wanderers Sensory Play Celebrates One Year

In honor of the businesses’ one year, Carreiro transformed the play place into a Disney World Wonderland for the kids, with fun decorations, special guests, and giveaways.

It was a chance for Carreiro to thank the community for embracing her little idea with big meaning.

“We’ve done over 25 birthday parties, a bunch of events, and all of the parents have become friends and have formed a network, it’s amazing,” she said. “We’ve become a little community, I love it.”

Truthfully, the first year started rocky. Just two months after opening, Carreiro's father was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

“He was the one who built 90% of my business for me and we didn’t even know he was sick,” she said. “I spent the first year helping with chemo treatments and trying to smile through it all while my favorite person was not doing well.”

The first year wasn't easy, but for Carreiro, the biggest takeaway was realizing that she created a comfortable and safe atmosphere for families that were just like hers.

“(These families) found a place where they are comfortable and their child is comfortable, and they are not ashamed if their child has a meltdown or gets overstimulated,” she said. “Just because your child may have a label, it doesn’t mean they can’t have fun or can’t enjoy life. Sometimes, it can feel secluded, but here, you’re safe.”

Little Wanderers Sensory Play began as the ultimate play place catered to children with developmental disabilities, but it is truly a place for all kids to just be kids.

“A lot of people think it’s just for kids on the spectrum, but Little Wanderers is a place for everyone,” said Carreiro. “I go to work every day and I’m excited. I’m excited for another year.”

Check out Little Wanderers online to schedule your next family outing.