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A Place for Children

We understand what is important for the nearly 12,000 children and teens who will spend one or more nights at Children's this year: quality, family-centered, compassionate care, and having plenty of "stuff to do" while in the hospital.

And whether a stay at the hospital is three days or three months, we have the facilities to provide our patients with plenty of familiar play and teen activities.

The Giraffe entrance at Children's Hospital during dusk.
Children's Hospital at dusk.

We follow a child- and teen-friendly approach to health care and healing. From the friendly replicas of African Sahara animals and mesmerizing aquarium tanks to the kid-friendly medical equipment and the decidedly non-hospital smell, children and teens feel welcome.

Letting Kids Be Kids

Although Children's isn't just like home, the following facilities and activities give our patients the opportunity to do what they do best—play and grow. Here's a sample:

  • Our Child Life Playroom is stocked with toys and features events for all ages. Make an origami paper sculpture, watch a magician or polish rocks; the Playroom offers a different activity every day.
  • Children confined to their rooms still have the chance to play with volunteers who bring toys and games to the bedside.
  • The Teen Zone, with Xbox and foosball, hosts fun evening activities. (Note: Parents and siblings may enter the Teen Zone only if accompanied by a consenting teen!)
  • Teen Rooms on each patient care unit allow for quiet time with books, magazines, games, crafts and cards.
  • The Children's Park with outdoor play equipment and a sport court provides fresh air and room to run.
  • The therapy pool provides weekly water-play sessions.
  • Special therapeutic play programs such as pet, music and art therapy support children and teens during their hospital stay.
  • Our Clown Care Unit® dishes out giggles and plenty of diversion with entertainment by Drs. Bonky, Hamsterfuzz and others.
  • G- and PG-rated movies run daily on TVs in all patient rooms.

So, if you're a child or teen and you have to be in the hospital, Children's offers the latest advances in pediatric medical care. But we never forget that this is a place for kids.

Learn more about our Main Campus.