Play and Recreation

Patients and Siblings

Our child life specialists have developed services to accommodate patients, siblings and family members during their stay. All patients must be medically cleared and free of any isolation precautions to participate in these activities. Siblings of patients who are not in isolation are also welcome to attend.

Play opportunities: Patients and siblings are encouraged to participate in our Playrooms, Broadcasting Studio, Story Corner and Family Resource Center programming to help adjust to the hospital. Children younger than 5 must be accompanied to activities by a responsible adult. We also have bedside activity carts on the inpatient units when volunteers are available.

Playrooms

Our playrooms are staffed by recreation coordinators. The Child Life Specialists have planned activities like arts and crafts, board games, and video games for patients, siblings, and family members during their stay. We welcome all patients who are able to visit a Playroom, the Broadcast Studio, Story Corner, and Family Resource Center.

There are playrooms on each floor of the Main Building for children staying at the hospital. Each playroom is meant to create feelings of self-expression, control, and a sense of normalcy.
Some rooms are set up for different age groups.

• Level 2 playroom is for children of all ages and includes an outdoor play area.
• Level 3 playroom is for smaller children, ideally babies and toddlers up to 3 years of age.
• Level 4 playroom is called The Forever Young Zone, or Teen Lounge. It is for patients 12 and older.
• Level 5 playroom is for patients with an oncology diagnosis. There is also a teen room called The Den.

These rooms are open at scheduled times during the day. Ask your nurse or contact Child Life for more information. There may be times the team would like your child and family to avoid the playrooms because of the risk of germs and potential bacteria. If your child is not medically cleared to visit a playroom, a Child Life Specialist or Recreation Coordinator can come to you. There are carts on every unit with activities that can be brought to the room.

To learn more about playrooms, talk to your Child Life Specialist, the unit clerk, a patient navigator, or someone on your care team.

Gardens

We believe nature can help heal. Several gardens around the hospital are open 24 hours a day for patients, families, and visitors.

Dunlevie Garden
The Dunlevie Garden features several destinations for our patients and families to enjoy. You can stop by to see the wolf, the mama and baby, the three bears and the puma den. Look out for the giant banana slug! All animals were selected by our patients. The Dunlevie Garden is situated between the Main and West buildings.

Emerald Garden
The Emerald Garden is a sea-themed play area for children. This garden hosts a variety of outdoor events, including health fairs, farmer’s markets and food trucks. See the Welcome Desk for a calendar of upcoming events.

Dawes Garden
The Dawes Garden is located next to the lobby of the Main Building. This garden has a sea-themed play area for children and includes seating for relaxation and special events.

Healing Garden
The Healing Garden is located next to the Sanctuary. This garden is a calm outdoor space where you can pray or relax. It also has a walking path for quiet thinking.

Central Atrium Garden
The Central Atrium Garden is located on the first floor of the West Building. This round garden has a water fountain, benches, and beautiful greenery.

Overlooks and Treehouses

Each floor of the Main Building has a space for families to sit and meet. Our staff call these areas, ‘tree houses.’ Each space can be found across from the elevators. They each have a view of the hospital and surrounding area. Each floor of the West Building also has areas with chairs and couches for families outside of the unit.

Family Lounges

Family Lounges are on floors 2, 3, 4, and 5 in the Main Building. All lounges have a small kitchen with a refrigerator, microwave, water dispenser, washer, and dryer. Laundry detergent is available in the Family Resource Center. Ask your nurse how to properly store and label the food you put in the refrigerator.

Sleep Rooms

There are two sleep rooms on each floor of the Main Building. In each room, there is a private bathroom and shower.

If you would like to use one of these rooms, a reservation is required and you will need to speak to a nurse or social worker.

Packard Television

Each patient room has two televisions, one for the patient and one for the family and friends that visit. These TVs offers PackardVision, an educational resource and entertainment, a STEAM gaming system, children’s movie channels, a relaxation channel and a direct connection to our in-house Broadcast Studio.

Broadcast Studio/Sophie’s Place

The Broadcast Studio, named “Sophie’s Place,” provides equipment for children to create, record, and edit videos and music. With the help of our media coordinators, videos can be broadcasted and shared throughout patient rooms via the hospital entertainment system for patients who are unable to leave their rooms. Sophie’s Place is located inside Story Corner in the Main building.

Story Corner

The Story Corner is a multiuse space where families can gather for activities such as reading and storytelling time with a volunteer or librarian. Shelves are loaded with books for all ages and soft, comfortable spots are available to sit and read. Young patients and their families can make new friends, find strength in shared experiences, and explore their creativity. Since all patient rooms have a bedside iPad and television, bed-bound patients will be able to take part in scheduled storytelling sessions and group activities like Bingo. The hospital entertainment network and digital signage will post updates on events and classes at the Story Corner, which is located on the ground floor of the Main building.

Interactive California Coast Wellness Eco-Zone

Located inside Story Corner, the Interactive California Coast Wellness Eco-Zone features an Ouva Wall. The Ouva Wall is an interactive gesture-responsive screen where children and families can have fun and learn about different ecosystems. Visitors can interact with lively elements and animals found on California’s coast by moving their bodies in front of the screen.

Digital Library

We have created a digital library, offering you and your family extensive information about pediatric and maternal health. It’s also a fun place to check-out books and DVDs. 

Pet Therapy

The Pet Assisted Therapy Program (PATs) helps patients adjust to the stress of being in the hospital. Spending time with a furry friend can lift your child’s mood and put them at ease. Our Child Life team is in charge of our PATs program. To learn how you can get a visit with our pet therapy dog, contact your Child Life Specialists at the number below.

Child Life Department (650) 497-8336