Child Life, Education and Creative Arts Therapy

Providing Entertainment

The Child Life, Education and Creative Arts Therapy Department is dedicated to supporting a positive healthcare experience for the children and families it serves. It is through ongoing programs such as yours that we are able to provide positive experiences that promote the childrens ability to cope with their healthcare experience and make their hospital stay more enjoyable.

Your offer to support this goal is greatly appreciated. Please read the guidelines carefully before submitting an application. All applications will be reviewed for appropriateness of activity, size and ages of the visiting group and scheduling availability.

Completion of an application does not guarantee acceptance or scheduling of a visit, however we will do everything possible to accommodate your request.

Consideration will be given to those events that are:

• Highly entertaining and educational
• Unique (we can only accommodate so many similar acts)
• Developmentally appropriate for our patients (primarily preschoolers through young teenagers)
• Physically and emotionally safe (non-threatening, non-violent, etc.)
• Appropriate for the conditions of our patients (i.e., small groups, not too loud)
• Religiously and politically neutral
• Appropriate for the space available

Entertainment and visitor guidelines

Entertainment such as a puppet show, a musical performance, or a celebrity visit can bring pleasure to a hospitalized child and his or her family. If accepted, your presentation may be scheduled in an inpatient or outpatient area. Your presentation will be of greatest benefit if these guidelines are followed:

• All community visits made to patients will be screened and approved in advance by the Child Life, Education and Creative Arts Therapy Department. Applications should be returned to the Child Life, Education and Creative Arts Therapy Department, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pa 19104 or faxed to 215-590-2023.
• Previous successful experience entertaining and visiting with children is essential.
• According to infection control policies, we request that visitors be at least 16 years of age and in good health. Anyone who has experienced exposure to or symptoms of flu, measles, mumps, hepatitis, chicken pox, rash, diarrhea or vomiting within the past four weeks may not visit.
• Most performances take place in small unit playrooms. Since space is limited, we ask that visiting groups limit their numbers, as small audiences are the norm rather than large audiences. Any group exceeding six visitors may be asked to split into smaller groups. Exceptions can be discussed and approved in advance (e.g., musical groups singing through hallways).
• Our patients are a diverse population. We provide care and rehabilitation for children and adolescents with various illnesses and disabilities. This may result in small audiences and in children with short attention spans. Be prepared for a diverse group of children. Events should be interactive and no more than 30 minutes. Performances can be repeated in more than one area or playroom if appropriate.
• Performances should not include any potentially dangerous materials (such as latex balloons, fire, animals of any kind) or threatening themes (violence, death, illness or medical care, scary costumes, etc.)
• Because the children at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia are from a wide variety of religious, political and social backgrounds, we require that the content of any presentation or written material be religiously and politically neutral.
• Visitors may not distribute any toys, prizes or gifts unless expressly approved by the Child Life, Education and Creative Arts Therapy Department prior to visitation date. No candy or food items may be distributed.
• We respect the privacy and confidentiality of our patients and families. This means, among other things, that photographing our patients must be approved in advance by the Child Life, Education and Creative Arts Therapy department to ensure that consent can be obtained from the patient's guardian. We are also not able to discuss any patient information unnecessarily. Please do not ask patients, families or staff about patient conditions, family situations, and so on.
• Media coverage, while not generally encouraged, will be considered based on the content and size of the performance. Media presence can detract from the performance and the children's experience due to lights and crowded conditions. All media invitations or press releases must be coordinated with the Hospital's Department of Public Relations at 267-426-6072 at least two weeks in advance.

Application for providing entertainment

If you are interested in providing entertainment for the patients at Children's Hospital, please complete our online form. 

If you'd prefer, you can download and complete our application for entertainment . Completed applications can be mailed to the address listed at the bottom of the application.

Day of visit guidelines

The following guidelines will help make the day of your visit more successful.

• Please respect patient and family rights for privacy and avoid sensitive topics. Do not ask questions about diagnosis, age and length of hospital stay or plans for going home.
• Approach children slowly and quietly. Allow patients to decide to what extent they wish to interact with you. If the child shows any resistance to greeting you, do not persist (and don't take it personally).
• Successful events are age-appropriate and invite participation by the children to some extent. Open-ended questions, rhythm instruments for children to play, etc. provide a connection between the performer and the audience.
• Seek the advice of the child life specialist or other staff if you have questions about the performance content, length, etc., or about the children's needs.
• ENJOY yourself!

Directions to the Wood Center parking lot

For directions to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, select Children's Hospital Main Campus as your destination.

If you would like more information about our special events program, please call 215-590-2001 or e-mail childlife@email.chop.edu. We look forward to your visit!