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Children staying in the hospital require special support to cope with their illness or treatment. Our team of Child Life experts care for these young patients through play activities, helping them feel comfortable and prepared for what may come during their hospital stay.
What do Child Life experts do?
• Support the social and emotional impact of illness and hospitalization on children.
• Promote a safe and positive hospital experience.
• Use therapeutic play as a tool for socialization, expression of feelings, coping & learning.
• Advocate for children and families.
• Collaborate with health care professionals and community agencies
• Promote a safe and positive hospital experience.
• Use therapeutic play as a tool for socialization, expression of feelings, coping & learning.
• Advocate for children and families.
• Collaborate with health care professionals and community agencies
Preparing your child for a surgery
Knowing what to expect on the day of their surgery may help lessen your child's anxiety about their procedure.
To help prepare your child for an upcoming surgery, you can book a pre-surgical tour with a member of our Child Life team by calling 613-549-6666 extension 3481.
To help prepare your child for an upcoming surgery, you can book a pre-surgical tour with a member of our Child Life team by calling 613-549-6666 extension 3481.
Donating to Child Life services
Our team relies on community donations to supply toys, books, crafts and more. Tools like these can make a big difference in the day-to-day lives of young patients and their families.
If you would like to donate toys or care items to the pediatrics program, please review the following guidelines and lists of acceptable donations for different age groups.
Please note:
- Patient safety is a priority. For that reason, we are unable to accept used items.
- We are unable to accept stuffed or plush animals, or any toys that may promote violence such as toy guns, swords or projectiles.
- It is best to connect with a member of the Child Life team by emailing @email or calling 613-549-6666 ext. 3481 before making your donation.
Toys & play items
High demand items
• Infant rattles & board books
• Craft kits
• Teen arts and crafts
• Small lego sets
• Colouring books
• Instax Mini 12 Film
Infant
• Assorted infant rattles
• Non-toxic teething toys
• Stacking cups
• Board books
• Crib side music players & sound machines
Toddler and preschool
• Small plastic animals
• Toy cars
• Toy trains
• Mini doll sets
• Kitchen play food
• Doctor kits
School aged children
• Lego sets
• Arts and crafts kits
• Playdoh
• Story books
Teens
• Teen craft materials
• Headphones
• iTunes gift cards
• Journals
• Books
• Activity books (word searches, crosswords, puzzles, etc)
• Sketch books and pencils
Comfort & hygiene items
• Reusable water bottles
• Unscented lotion
• Unscented ChapStick
• Deodorant
• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Travel size mouthwash (alcohol free)
• Travel size shampoo and conditioner
• Travel size body wash
• Brushes/combs
• Hair elastics/clips
• Nail files
• Phone & electronics chargers
Gift cards
Gift cards are a convenient and flexible way for the Child Life team to purchase necessary items or provide access to streaming services (for example, Disney +) for patients. The following are some examples of gift cards that have been donated previously.
• Amazon
• iTunes
• Michael’s
• Wal-Mart
• Toys R Us
• Dollarama
Donating money
The child life team knows exactly what needs to be purchased for patients at any given time. Your donation to the Child Life fund can provide toys, craft supplies, and comfort items for patients year-round.
Financial donations are accepted by our partners at University Hospitals Kingston Foundation.
To ensure your donation is directed to the child life team, select “Other Funds” from the Area to Support menu and type in “Child Life Fund”.
Accessing our services
Child Life Services are available 8am-5pm Monday to Friday. Families can request Child Life support by asking any member of the care team to meet with a Child Life team member.
You can improve care for patients across our region.
From premature babies who need round-the-clock care, to a cancer patient in need of specialized surgery – donations touch the lives of every person who comes to us for help.
