How to Support Child Life

"Through play children can be anyone, at anyplace, at anytime." Anonymous

We invite you to help the Child Life program by donating items or by making a financial contribution to support the programs, services, and supplies that will brighten the children's stay. Your support will ensure that play is a source of hope and healing for our patients and families for years to come.

Toy Donation Guidelines

When donating toys to the Child Life program, we ask that you give toys that are:

• Brand new
• Nonviolent
• Heavy, durable, and plastic toys
• Non-denominational

Suggested Toy Donations

Please help fill the hours of hospitalization with play at the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital:

Art Materials

• Art kits
• Coloring books
• Crayons
• Glue
• Markers
• Safety scissors
• Watercolors

Music Equipment

• Electric keyboard
• Infant instruments
• Miniature maracas
• Wrist bells

Infant/Toddler Toys

• Batteries (AA, C, D)
• Board books
• Crib links
• Crib mobiles by Sassey (all plastic only)
• Crib mirrors
• Fisher Price Little People®, animals, and barn
• Infant pop-up toys
• Large Lego® blocks
• New blankets and quilts
• Plastic balls
• Rattles
• Shape sorters
• Toddler trucks and cars
• Toy phones

Preschool/School Age Toys

• Action figures
• Barbies®
• Board games (Connect 4®, Pay Day®)
• Bubbles in small containers
• Doctor kits
• Dolls
• Game Boys® and game cartridges
• Lego® brand toys
• Matchbox® cars
• Picture books for age 3 to 10
• Play-Doh® (small party packs)
• Puzzles with 100 pieces or less
• Stickers

Adolescent Toys

• Bath and body supplies
• CD players
• CDs
• Hand held electronic games
• Izone® cameras
• Journals and diaries
• Sony Playstation II®, X-Box®, and game cartridges
• Teen board games (Sorry®, checkers, Monopoly®, Taboo®, Scrabble®)
• UNO® and playing cards
• Word searches

The Child Life department also welcomes monetary donations, toy store coupons, and gift certificates (especially for CDs).