At Phoenix Children’s, we know that kids of all ages deserve a break from hospital routines. We provide ways for kids and families to kick back and have fun. Check out these and other opportunities during your stay:
- Child Life Zone – State-of-the-art fun, from stages and stars to crafts and quiet zones
- TV breaks – A full menu of family-friendly programming for everyone’s enjoyment
- Toys and games – Gaming systems, board games, books, crafts and more for use in the playroom or in your child’s room
Contact Child Life: 602-933-4545
Child Life Hours: 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m.
If you hear unrestrained laughter and family fun, you may be approaching the Zone. The Child Life Zone at Phoenix Children’s Hospital - Thomas Campus is a state-of-the-art play area that’s seriously fun.
Located on the first floor of the East Building, across from The Emily Center, this 3,800-square foot, procedure-free zone is a safe place for kids to forget about hospital life and treatment to remember why laughter is good medicine.
Siblings, ages 6 and older who are in good health are welcome but must be accompanied by a parent. Contact Child Life at 602-933-4545 for current health and use restrictions.
The Happiest Place in the Hospital
The Child Life Zone offers a welcome reprieve from diagnostic tests, procedures and medical conditions. Find out why people call the Zone “the happiest place in the hospital:”
- Stage shows and stars – Kids can sharpen their talents, enjoy or create their own shows, and explore fun and games with resources like these:
- Multi-use theater and gaming wall
- Garth Brooks performance stage
- Interactive broadcast studio – kids create and view programs on Phoenix Children’s own TV network
- Having a ball – All ages or skills can enjoy pinball machines or a game of pool and try their hand at air hockey.
- Therapeutic crafts – The Zone’s therapeutic craft and play center lets kids learn, express creativity and have fun.
- Kitchen and cooking area – Children can cook up some fun here plus good reasons to say “yum!”
- Shhh! – quiet space – The Zone has a peaceful, noise-free place where kids can go to rest and appreciate quiet time.
- Television break – See what’s on our family-friendly TV as another relaxing option.
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.
