The importance of play in the Bubble Foundation | The Bubble Foundation
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The importance of play

Updated: December 22nd, 2025

Why play is so important on Ward 3

This year we have received lots of lovely toys, games and crafts (and chocolates 🤭) through our Wishlist. It got us thinking that for those new to our charity and cause, it might be helpful for us to tell you why these gifts matter so much, and how they are more than gifts... supporting children during the long process of rebuilding their immune system.

When a child or baby is in hospital, everything can feel unfamiliar and overwhelming. New faces, strange noises and medical procedures can be frightening, for these little superheroes and their families. Play helps bring comfort, understanding and a sense of normality back. When the cubicle door opens, it's important to know it could be playtime, not just another procedure.

Play isn’t just something to fill time. It’s how children can make sense of what’s happening, express feelings they don’t yet have words for and feel a bit more comfortable in their new environment 

The power of play in hospital

Play can ease anxiety, distract from pain and help children cope with big emotions. Through play, children can explore what’s happening to them in a way that feels safe and familiar. For babies, play supports early development, sensory stimulation and bonding with parents. Even simple activities using colour, sound, touch or movement can be incredibly soothing during long or repeated hospital stays.

How play is supported on Ward 3

Everyone on Ward 3 plays a part in supporting children and families. Staff are friendly, reassuring, and play naturally happens throughout the day. whether that’s through a comforting interaction, a shared joke, or helping a child feel at ease before treatment.

Alongside this, there are staff whose roles focus more specifically on play and emotional wellbeing. They bring specialist training in play, child development and therapeutic techniques, helping to make sure play is used in the most supportive and meaningful ways.

Together with the wider healthcare team, they help assess each child’s play needs and support them at the bedside. Activities are adapted so play is still possible even when there are physical or emotional barriers. Play can be child-led, giving children choice and control. Parents and carers are supported too, with ideas and reassurance about how play can help their child cope during a hospital stay.

Play is also used to help children understand their illness and treatment. Through simple explanations, creative activities and distraction techniques, children can feel more prepared for procedures and less overwhelmed by what’s happening around them. One of our favourite explanations used by our lovely Professor, Mary Slatter, is that the patient is told they have a spelling mistake in their genes and we need to fix it! 

Supporting play on Ward 3

The Bubble Foundation supports Ward 3 by providing toys, games and craft materials that help make play possible across the ward. When people use the wishlist, we step out of the middle so supporters can help patients directly. We simply facilitate the platform, working closely with play staff to understand what’s needed, what works best, and keeping the list up to date.

Craft activities give children a chance to be creative, express their feelings and feel a sense of achievement. Many children like to keep their artwork in their Bubble Foundation journey box, so they can look back on it later and use it to help process their emotions and memories. Toys can offer comfort, distraction during procedures or simply a moment of fun on a difficult day. For babies, sensory toys support development and help with soothing during long hospital stays.

View the Ward Wishlist



These resources support staff across the ward to create calm, connection and smiles for children and families.

When play is part of everyday care on Ward 3, children feel safer, parents feel supported and families feel less alone during an incredibly challenging time. Play helps children cope. It helps families get through the day. And when everyone plays a part, children are still able to be children, even in hospital.

Thank you to everybody who sent gifts from the Wishlist.

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