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Family Spaces
For children, play is one of the most important tools for their development, and allows them to explore the world they live in. Through play, children learn and practice new skills, and are able to socialize, have fun, and relieve stress.
At SickKids, we provide unique opportunities for children and their families to play in a safe environment and experience normalcy while at the hospital. We have a variety of family spaces, each designed to create an atmosphere that is welcoming, healing, safe, and fun!
SickKids has a variety of engaging spaces for families and patients to play, unwind, and gain a bit of normalcy away from their units and clinics. Each space offers unique play-based programming and activities that can help children cope by providing a distraction and an outlet for their anxiety and other challenging feelings. Giving children the choice to choose an activity or game can also help them gain a sense of control.
These spaces share a commitment to therapeutic programming, and child and adolescent development, by offering opportunities for crafting, cooking, imaginary play, gaming, and much more.
Please note: our family spaces are operating on modified hours due to COVID-19. Some spaces and services are available by appointment only.
Sacred Spaces include the Meditation & Contemplation Room, Muslim Prayer Room and the Chapel. These spaces are open 24/7 for quiet prayer and meditation.
Marnie's Lounge
Marnie's Lounge is an activity room at SickKids that provides opportunities to engage in medical play, expressive art activities, cooking, board games, video and arcade games, and toys.
Marnie's Lounge is an activity room at SickKids that provides therapeutic programming for hospitalized children, teens, siblings, and their families. Open seven days a week, the lounge is a space where patients and their families can relax and enjoy time together. The Lounge also has two computers with printing available for use by patients and families. The warm and inviting decor creates a relaxing atmosphere described by many as a "home away from home". The room is staffed by Child Life Professionals trained in child and teen development, and are focused on helping children and teens cope with their hospital experience.
To book time in the space or for more information, please call 416-624-9845 to speak to a Family Spaces staff member.
Marnie's Lounge is located on the 4th Floor, Room 4318, Black Wing. To book time in the space or for more information please call (416) 624-9845 or speak to a Child Life Specialist.
Marnie's Studio & The SKOOP TV
Marnie's Studio is the home of our patient-centred television channel, The SKOOP on Channel 41 and YouTube.
Marnie's Studio is a fully equipped TV studio and performance space. Mondays through Saturdays, The SKOOP on channel 41 broadcasts live shows that patients and their families can participate in from their rooms. When live shows are not airing patients and their families can enjoy pre-recorded videos designed to make staying at the hospital easier through education and entertainment. We also have our SKOOP All-Stars program that allows patients and siblings to help host and run our live shows, while working towards their All-Stars certificate.
The SKOOP on channel 41 offers unique programming created and produced by patients and staff here at SickKids! The programming can be watched on channel 41 at SickKids, and on YouTube.
Patients can tune in LIVE to The SKOOP everyday on channel 41 to participate in fun live shows from their room by calling or texting The Studio. They might even win a prize!
- Weekdays at 11 a.m.: Story Time
- Weekdays at 1 p.m.
- Mondays: Name That Tune
- Tuesdays: Child Life Bingo
- Wednesdays: Jazz's Rockin' Karaoke
- Thursdays: The Craft Zone
- Fridays: Game of Games
- Weekdays at 3 p.m.: Kahoot Trivia Extravaganza
- Weekends:
- Saturdays
- 1 p.m. Kahoot Trivia Extravaganze
- 3 p.m. Bingo
- Sundays
- 1 p.m. Kahoot Trivia Extravaganza
- 3 p.m. Craft Show
- Saturdays
For more information please call 416-813-7654 ext. 202837, text (437) 331-7147, or speak to your Child Life Specialist.
Marnie's Studio is located on the 4th Floor, Room 4303, Black Wing. For more information please call 437-331-7147 to speak with a Marnie's Studio staff member.
Samsung Space
Samsung Space is a therapeutic play and recreation area designed for inpatients, outpatients, and their families.
The Samsung Space offers a wide variety of therapeutic programming and play for young children, along with video games, board games, crafts and an outside garden patio (open seasonally).
To book time in the space or for more information, please call 416-624-9845 to speak to a Family Spaces staff member.
Only one elevator goes all the way to Samsung Space. To find us, take any of the Atrium elevators up to the 8th floor, and then take the middle elevator to the 9th floor!
To book time in the space or for more information please call 416-624-9845 or speak to a Child Life Specialist.
Multisensory Room
The Multisensory Room provides a space where any child can engage with and respond to a variety of sensory experiences.
The room intends to create a calm and relaxing environment for patients and families who want to experience a stimulation that is different from hospital stimuli. The room offers a space where children can engage the senses: touch, sound, visual, spatial awareness, and motion.
To book time in the space or for more information, please call 416-624-9845 to speak with a Family Spaces staff member.
The Multisensory Room is located on the 4th Floor, Room 4302, Black Wing.
To book time in the space or for more information, please call 416-624-9845 to speak with a Family Spaces staff member.
Family Centre
The Family Centre at SickKids provides a range of resources and services for inpatient and outpatient children and their families.
The Children’s Library at SickKids is a comfortable place for inpatient and outpatient families to read, relax, and explore. Children and families are invited to come spend some time between clinic appointments, and borrow materials to enjoy in the waiting area/patient room.
Our collection serves readers ages 0 to 18. We have board books for babies and toddlers, picture books, fiction for children and teens, non-fiction books, audio books, DVDs, comics and graphic novels.
Speak to our Children’s Librarian about the role of reading at the hospital, choosing the best books for children, incorporating reading into a healthy routine, as well as literacy initiatives at SickKids or in the community.
The Health Information Library in the Family Centre at SickKids offers many resources and services for both inpatient and outpatient families in a warm, welcoming environment. Here, we help families find the health information they need to make decisions about care and to help their children grow up happy and healthy. Staff and trained volunteers are available to assist families with finding information about medical conditions, healthy lifestyle choices, safety, child-rearing, and child development.
Phone: 416-813-7903
Email: family.centre@sickkids.ca
The Family Centre is located on the Main Floor, Black Wing, Room M200. The Family Centre is currently open to outpatient families from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Inpatient families may schedule an appointment by calling 416-813-7903.
WAV PlayPark
The Women's Auxiliary Volunteers (WAV) PlayPark is a safe and happy place for siblings of patients and children visiting clinics to play during visits to the hospital.
The PlayPark mission: To make hospital visits easier for families by providing siblings of patients, and children visiting clinics a safe and secure play area staffed by Registered Early Childhood Educators and volunteers. The WAV PlayPark is a free service.
Due to limited capacity, access to the PlayPark is being prioritized for siblings of children being treated in the intensive care units (NICU, PICU, CCCU), as well as families who meet criteria from other specific units. Please inquire within your unit to see whether your family is eligible to use the PlayPark.
To use the service, children must be a minimum age of 2 ½ and toilet trained. The PlayPark has activities for all ages, including teens.
The current maximum capacity is 6 children, and playtime must be booked.
All children must wear hospital issued masks while in the PlayPark.
Due to risk of allergies, there is no food or drink allowed in the Play Park. If your child is sick or is showing signs of illness, they will not be admitted to the PlayPark to protect the well-being of other children.
Parents and guardians must remain on hospital property while their child is in the PlayPark. Please click here to donate to the PlayPark. Interested in becoming a member of the Women's Auxiliary Volunteers? Please see the WAV page for more information.
To book time in the space or for more information please call 416-813-8884 to speak to a PlayPark Staff.
The PlayPark is located on the Main Floor of the Atrium, next to the parking elevators.
The PlayPark will be reopening in November 2022.
Hours are 8:30am–4:00pm Monday to Friday and 10:00am–3:15pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Play times are by appointment:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30am–10:45am, 11:00am–1:15pm, 1:30pm–3:45pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 10:00am–12:15pm, CLOSED 12:15pm–12:45pm, 1:00pm–3:15pm.
The last 15 minutes of each appointment is for pickups.
Ronald McDonald House Charities Toronto Family Room
The Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Toronto Family Room offers a soothing space of comfort, care, and compassion within the walls of the hospital.
A retreat from the clinical environment of the hospital, this room is intended to provide a “home away from home” for families – a refuge from the clinical environment of the hospital that simulates the comfort of home.
The 1,725 square-foot Family Room was designed with input from SickKids staff and families. Parents can use a computer, do some laundry, sleep or just relax, while being just steps away from their child’s bedside. The Family Room features include a kitchenette, TV and lounge area, washroom with shower facilities, Wi-Fi, fireplaces, a sleep room and a Rest and Respite area for napping.
Parents or immediate caregivers access to the following room features:
- A sleep room and rest and respite area for napping
- There are seven recliners in the rest and respite area
- The design of this space was drawn from first-class airline lounges and includes a number of individual ‘pods’ with custom-built privacy screens so parents or immediate caregivers can rest without distraction
- Blankets and pillows are provided for each recliner
- There is one private sleep room
- Television and lounge area with fireplaces
- Computers and Wi-Fi access
- Kitchenette stocked with snacks and beverages
- Washrooms with shower facilities
- Laundry facilities
- A play area with toys for siblings accompanied by a parent or immediate caregiver
Due to limited capacity, access to the Family Room is provided to families who meet specific criteria. Please contact the Manager or Clinical Support Nurse on the child’s unit for more information about access to the Family Room and other resources at SickKids.
The RMHC Toronto Family Room is located on the 4th Floor, Atrium. It is currently operating on limited hours. Please contact the RMHC Toronto Family Room for the latest information.
Due to limited capacity, access to the Family Room is available to family members of children being treated in the intensive care units (NICU, PICU, CCCU), as well as families who meet criteria from other specific units. Please inquire within your unit to see whether your family is eligible to use the Family Room.