Our Children's Experiences team understand the importance of play and offer dedicated play hours and activities. Children of all ages and their families are encouraged to leave the bedside and are welcomed to participate in scheduled therapeutic and expressive activities, such as music therapy drum circles, Child Life medical play sessions and expressive arts group sessions, and more.
Toddlers and preschoolers may engage in sensory activities or “pretend” play, while teens may enjoy video games, guided arts and crafts or board game tournaments.
Some of the programs we offer within the hospital include:
Bedside Experience Programs
While hospitalized, some children may be restricted to the bedside. In those instances, we have volunteer teams dedicated to bringing smiles to the room.
Bedside Buddy
Our Bedside Buddy program is a unique group of volunteers who are dedicated to ensuring all patients have fun, even when stuck in the hospital! Although we have many excited recreation events and activities throughout the hospital, sometimes kids just need to get better in their rooms. Bedside buddies are equipped with carts loaded with board games bringing play in the comfort of the child’s room.
Playspaces
There are over 10 Playspaces throughout the hospital that provides opportunities for play and respite. Playspaces available to inpatient and outpatient visitors include Michael Fux Family Center.
Pet Therapy
Pet Therapy is a program designed to bring a smile to the patients and their families, and make their hospital stay more cheerful. Certified Pet Therapy Dogs, along with their owners, visit patients’ bedside and visit the Psychiatry Unit.
Currently we have a total of 15 Pet Therapy Dogs participating in the program. The joy the children receive is truly a wonderful sight, to love and be loved back, unconditionally, by these dogs. Additionally, these furry friends provide for a great anxiety reliever during difficult hospital stays.
This program is loved and appreciated by not only patients, but families, volunteers, and staff. Though it may seem a bit surprising to see dogs in a hospital, they elicit the biggest smiles from the children.
Recreational Spaces and Patient Events
These family-friendly play spaces, located throughout the hospital, offer our guests a normalized environment within the hospital setting. Teen lounges are also available.
The Amphitheater and Plaza host patient enrichment activities and a variety of special events in partnership with our community donors.
For more information on our daily programming, please call our recreational team at ext. 4900.
Learn More
Michael Fux Family Center
The Michael Fux Family Center (MFFC) is exclusively dedicated for the entertainment of all of our patients, families and visitors. It is our way of making you feel more at home! The center offers a wide range of services and conveniences.
Learn More