What makes a great hospital playroom?

​​Walking into a children’s hospital can feel a bit unsettling. Likely, you are there because you're with your child or visiting a child who is sick, injured, or undergoing a medical procedure. Those experiences may be stressful and even painful, and as adults, we often have a negative connotation with hospitals.

Fortunately, many children’s hospitals understand that stress and have intentionally created an uplifting, hopeful and magical environment. In some cases when entering a children's hospital, you may think you had entered a school or even a children’s museum!

The following are just a few of the many ways in which these hospitals create this special atmosphere:

* Children’s Hospital staff members wear bright colors and smile often. They know how to make kids feel welcome and comfortable.

* The rooms are brightly colored with cheerful artwork on the walls.

* Playrooms are filled with toys, games and activities for children of all ages.

 

The playroom is one of the most important parts of a children's hospital. Hospital playrooms are rooms designed for many types of play for children with all abilities. They are filled with donated items from the community like games, crafts, puzzles, books, and more. Playrooms resonate with patients and families when they promote all types of play! They provide a safe environment where kids can interact with each other in an unstructured way which can normalize a normally very abnormal environment.

Playrooms are a great place for patients (and their families) to take a break from the stress of the medical aspect of the hospital, and feel “normal” while developing their emotional, physical, and social skills through play. Here are some Here are a few things that can make a good hospital playroom great:

Opportunities for medical play

Medical play is a great way to allow children to act out their feelings regarding their medical/hospital experience. You can read more about that here.

Opportunities to meet other families

In order to facilitate small group activities, having coloring books and craft activities set out on a table in the playroom is a perfect way to help achieve this. 

Activities and options for children of all ages and abilities

A hospital playroom should have activities and options for children of all ages and abilities. The room should be clean, well-organized, and free from clutter (unless of course it’s right after playtime!). It should also include toys that meet sensory needs and can be developmentally appropriate for children with different abilities. Toys such as dolls, stuffed animals, puppets, puzzles, board games, books, and coloring materials can help children express themselves and learn about the world around them.

The best way to ensure that every child has an opportunity to learn is by creating a space where they feel comfortable and safe, and there are so many tools from SmileMakers that can help you with that!