Like all children, our patients and their brothers and sisters need to keep busy! We have a lot of wonderful programs at Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, but sometimes a bag-full-of-fun is exactly what they need.
Gathering materials for and building activity bags makes for a great "way to give" project for individuals and groups of all ages!
Below are some suggestions of activities that can be put together and placed in a Ziploc bag to be distributed to children on our traveling art cart. Pick one or more age groups and fill your baggies with some or all of the items listed. Please label the outside of the bag with the appropriate age group (for example "Toddler".)
Note: Please do not include small items/pieces that can be swallowed.
Suggested Bedside Activity Kits
Preschool-Age Children (2-5 years)
- Stickers (large and easy to peel)
- Play-doh (1-2 cans)
- Crayola Crayons (8 pack)
- Coloring Books
- Watercolor Paints (with brush)
- Bubbles
- Matchbox Cars (2-3 per pack)
- My Little Pony or Disney Princess sets
School-Age Children (6-11 years)
- Play-doh or Model Magic
- Stickers
- Individual paint sets (with brush)
- Markers or colored Pencils
- Drawing pad or Coloring books (geared towards older children)
- Travel games (Trouble, Connect 4, Yahtzee)
- 100 piece puzzle
- LEGO kit
Adolescents (11 years and older)
- UNO cards or regular playing cards
- Drawing pad or adult coloring book
- Markers or colored pencils
- Model Magic
- Stress ball
- Word searches
- Travel games (Trouble, Battleship, Yahtzee)
- Chapstick/Lip Balm
Parent Care Kits
- Note pad/pen
- Packaged snacks (granola bars, pretzels, trail mix)
- Word search/crossword puzzles
- Travel size toiletries (tissues, toothpaste, shampoo/conditioner, shower gel, lotion)
- Toothbrush
- Hair brush
- Chapstick/Lip Balm
Thank you for your interest in creating activity kits for the patients and families at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital. To protect the health and privacy of the patients and their families, we are unable to allow individuals/groups to distribute gifts directly to patients.
All items must be brand new. Please place the contents of each kit in a clear plastic Ziploc bag (gallon size) and label by age category and gender.
Thank you for your support!
Additional Ideas:
The following list has other ways in which you or your organization can help support the pediatric patients.
- Coloring Book and Crayon Drive: For pediatric patients in the hospital, coloring books are used on a daily basis to help pass the time. The Child Life Department is always in need of new coloring books, packs of crayons, markers and colored pencils to distribute throughout the hospital.
- Character Band-Aid Drive: Kids love fun band-aids featuring characters they love! Current character favorites are Disney Princess, Batman, Spiderman, Minions, etc.
- Host a Lemonade Stand or Car Wash: Funds raised can be used to purchase items from the Child Life Wish List. The wish list can be found at https://www.mariafarerichildrens.org/holiday-wish-list