Activities & Entertainment

If you hear unrestrained laughter and families having fun, you may be near the Zone. The Child Life Zone at Phoenix Children’s Hospital - Thomas Campus is a state-of-the-art play area that offers a fun and unique healing environment.

Located on the first floor of the East Building, across from The Emily Center, this procedure-free zone is a safe place for kids to forget about hospital life and treatment, and to remember why play is good medicine.

A patient’s siblings who are 6 years and older are also welcome but must be accompanied by a parent. Contact Child Life at 602-933-4545 for current health and use restrictions.

The Happiest Place on the Thomas Campus

The Child Life Zone offers a welcome reprieve from diagnostic tests, procedures and the stress caused by medical conditions. Find out why people call the Zone “the happiest place” on the Thomas Campus.

• Stage shows and stars – Kids can sharpen their talents, enjoy or create their own shows, and explore fun and games with resources like these:
  • Interactive broadcast studio where kids create and view programs on Phoenix Children’s own TV network
  • Music and recording studio
• Having a ball – All ages and skills can enjoy pinball machines or a game of pool and try their hand at air hockey.
• Photo booth – Kids can take fun photos with their siblings or parents.
• Positive image room – A calm place for kids dedicated to haircuts, massage chairs and spa days.
• Sports lockers – These lockers are decorated with professional apparel and equipment.
• Therapeutic crafts – The Zone’s therapeutic craft and play center lets kids learn, express creativity and have fun.
• Real kitchen and cooking area – Our kitchen and cooking area are used for special events like chef-supervised cooking classes.

Phoenix Children’s offers child-savvy viewing choices. Parents can rest easy knowing programming is family-friendly with safe, positive and age-appropriate programs.

Each patient room has a television with age-appropriate programming on 12 channels, including English and Spanish stations, available 24 hours a day. Refer to the guide in your child’s room, or ask your nurse or Child Life specialist for digital and television schedules and guidance.

Programming options include: 

• Hospital channels – Go to Channels 81 – 90 for free in-room movies and entertainment. Channel 90 is Phoenix Children’s Spanish only station.
• Borrowed movies and resources – Patients and family can check out movies and other media from The Emily Center. A limited collection of movies is available through Child Life Services.

Please check with your nurse to borrow a movie. No PG-13 movies are allowed in patient rooms where a child is under the age of 13. The hospital doesn’t permit R-rated movies at any time.

The options below are available for patients during their stay. Please contact your nurse or child life specialist with questions or to request items.

• Playrooms – Children can choose to enjoy arts and crafts, movies, toys and more in child-friendly spaces. 
• Video gaming systems – Games are available for checkout and also come around on a mobile cart. At your request, we’ll bring the cart into your child’s room. 
• Board games, books, crafts and more – Children may check out board games, craft activities, books and more to use in playrooms or patient rooms.