The Zesty Zen Den
We are so excited to design, build and donate two sensory rooms for two deserving families as a result of the Charity Hockey Game we hosted with Scoring Goals for the Community in September 2025! This is the second project and we are so thrilled to see it come together exactly as we envisioned.
Noah’s Sensory Room
Our sensory rooms are more than just beautiful spaces - They’re carefully designed environments that support the physical, emotional and neurological development of neurodiverse children. The Zesty Zen Den was designed specifically for Noah, to help build his gross motor skills while providing vital proprioceptive input, deep pressure stimulation and other opportunities for growth and development.
Gross motor skills involve the large muscles of the body used for walking, jumping, climbing and balancing. This room includes a climbing wall and a climbing ladder to encourage whole-body movement.
The cylinder swing will challenge his coordination and core strength and the roller slide, squeeze machine and foam pit will provide proprioceptive input (the body’s internal GPS). Proprioception is the sense that tells us where our body is in space and the input he receives will calm his nervous system, improve his body awareness and regulate his emotions and behaviour. Deep pressure stimulation reduces anxiety and overstimulation, improves focus and attention and helps children feel grounded and safe.
The Lite Brite Giant Pegboard will provide calming or energizing visual input which will help regulate mood and attention. It will also provide tactile feedback, as inserting the colourful pegs into the board offers satisfying resistance and texture, supporting tactile exploration and sensory integration. The peg placement also strengthens finger dexterity, grip and bilateral coordination. Pattern creation also encourages precision and planning which supports executive functioning and visual-motor integration.
Chalkboards and whiteboards are powerful tools for neurodiverse children, helping develop fine motor skills, sensory regulation, posture and even cognitive and emotional growth - all through creative hands-on play. The vertical easels, tactile bins, sequin sensory wall and sensory play stations will provide ample opportunities for Noah in developing foundational skills for learning and daily life.
List of Products
Playcouch
Cylinder Swing
Weighted Lizard
Cozey Area Rug
Wallpaper
Foam Pit
Ladder Swing
Sequin Wall Sensory Panel
Roller Slide
Lite Brite Giant Pegboard
Stuffed Monkey and Orangutan
North and Nova Chair and Footrest
Sensory Table and Stool
Storage Shelves
Craft Paper Roll and Holder
Spinning Swivel Chair
Bookshelves
Basketball Net
Check out these before and after photos!
Before
After
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After
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After
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After
Christina Lewis, our talented wallpaper specialist, brings every project to life with a smile and a whole lot of heart. Meanwhile, Mike from our Advisory Committee is our behind-the-scenes hero, juggling multiple roles and ensuring every product is carefully assembled and delivered so we’re prepped and ready for a seamless install day.
Matt and Kevin from Drake and Co Renos
Working with Matt and Kevin from Drake and Co Renos is always an absolute joy. Their creativity and knack for finding innovative solutions made every challenge feel like an opportunity. From installation to final touches, they brought the project to life with plenty of laughs along the way.
Natalie Abkarian Cimini, Michael Cimini, Dolores Trentadue and Sonya Torres (left to right)
We were honoured to have our Media Sponsors, Dolores Trentadue and Sonya Torres from the Trentadue Torres Group, join us for the reveal. The experience was truly beautiful, filled with remarkable synchronicities, from unexpected connections with the selected family to heartfelt tears of joy. It was nothing short of magical for everyone involved. Dolores and Sonya have been steadfast supporters of our charity since the very beginning, and sharing this special moment with them made the reveal even more meaningful.
VIDEO REVEAL, INTERVIEWS AND REACTIONS COMING SOON!
Audra Bradbury, our talented photographer from North of 42 beautifully captured the sensory room reveal and the heartfelt reactions, and she continues to be such a generous, helpful presence within our community.
Check out her pictures in our gallery below.
James, Raffi, Noah and Lena (left to right)
Raffi and Lena are truly remarkable parents, deeply committed to supporting their neurodiverse child with compassion, dedication, and an eagerness to learn. They continually research and explore every possible avenue to help him overcome challenges, ensuring he has the tools to thrive. Their love and determination extend beyond individual growth, as they are equally focused on fostering a meaningful connection between Noah and his younger brother James, something their new sensory room will nurture beautifully.
We know this space will be well used and will bring countless moments of comfort, joy, and progress for their family, and we look forward to hearing more about the positive impact it continues to have in their lives. Sensory rooms are transformative and they empower children to explore, move and self-regulate in ways that traditional play areas often can’t. They’re a game changer for families in supporting holistic development one jump, squeeze and swing at a time.
Thank you again to Scoring Goals for the Community, all the sponsors, players, donors and fans who supported our 1st Charity Hockey Game and made it possible for us to bring this project to life!
Lots of love,
Natalie Abkarian Cimini - President/Founder, For Little Monkeys Charity
Believe in a Spectrum of Possibilities
