Daily play groups

Infant/Toddler Group

An age-appropriate play group for inpatients and siblings from birth to three years of age is held weekday mornings. This group is supervised by a child life specialist and specially trained volunteers. Toys are chosen to enhance the development of children in a hospital setting.

Bedside volunteers are also available to work with infants and toddlers days and evenings Monday through Friday and weekend days.

School-Age Play Group

This developmental play group provides an opportunity for school-age children to play, relax, interact with peers and acquire new skills while hospitalized. The group is held in the Liz and Jules Stiffel Play Atrium, located on the fifth floor within the Brown Family Life Center. Arts and crafts, board games, dramatic and medical play, computer and video games are always available.

Special events, such as Skylight TV shows and garden play are held during this group.

The school-age play group is held weekday mornings, afternoons, evenings and on weekend afternoons.

Teen Group and the Morton Teen Lounge

The Morton Teen Lounge, located inside the Brown Family Life Center on the fifth floor, is a unique space for inpatient teens and their families. Inpatient teens are encouraged to use the lounge as a place to socialize with peers. During groups, teens have the opportunity to participate in arts and crafts projects as well as play video, arcade and board games. There is also a juke box, and teens can borrow movies, music and books from the lounge's library during their stay.

The Morton Teen Lounge groups are Monday through Thursday evenings, afternoons and weekend mornings.

For a schedule of play groups, please call 773.880.4000 and ask for extension 2060.