Families celebrate the power of play with superheroes, music and more

Children and young people at Evelina London Children's Hospital and Royal Brompton Hospital enjoyed an unforgettable day of fun-filled activities to celebrate the International Day of Play.

Families at Evelina London Children's Hospital were treated to a jam-packed schedule of entertainment in the hospital's atrium, outpatient area and by their bedsides, thanks to the children's charity, Rays of Sunshine. They enjoyed music sessions, embraced their creativity with arts and craft activities, and were visited by magical princesses and out-of-this-world superheroes. Each child got to keep a superhero-themed goodie bag to keep the adventure going.

The fun didn't stop there, as local firefighters and police officers were invited to join the festivities by the hospital's play team. Children and young people met police horses, and got to climb aboard a real fire engine.

Elizabeth, a 13-year-old patient who has been staying in the hospital for 2 months, had the party brought right to her bedside with a visit by a musical duo and a princess. Her mum, Caroline, said: "Spending so much time in one room can be so isolating for her. But when we were singing and dancing with the entertainers, it felt like we were just having fun at home."

Our hospitals' play teams are specially trained in providing play for sick children and young people. They support our patients' recovery and development by providing fun activities, including planning unique events like these.

Sue Pruden, therapeutic play service manager at Evelina London Children's Hospital, said: "I'd like to say a big thank you to all of our special guests, including Rays of Sunshine, the City of London Police and the London Fire Brigade, for spreading so much joy across the hospital. Seeing the memories being created was very special. Activities like these make such a big difference because they provide a much-needed distraction and help make staying in hospital feel a bit more normal."

Meanwhile, children and young people at Royal Brompton Hospital enjoyed a spectacular array of games, musical shows and activities like face painting and treasure hunts, supported by charity, The Brompton Fountain. The hospital's fantastic play team donned colourful costumes to entertain families alongside the children's entertainer Captain Calamity.

Maxine Ovens, play service manager at Royal Brompton Hospital said: "Play is so important for children. It helps them learn, develop, communicate and express themselves. In hospital, play becomes even more powerful as it also helps put our young patients at ease during treatments and provides them with a welcome distraction. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making the day so brilliant."

Evelina London provides hospital care and treatment for babies, children and young people at our purpose-built children's hospital on the St Thomas' hospital site and at Royal Brompton Hospital and Harefield Hospital. We also provide community services which care for families in our local areas and provide an extensive range of specialist services for children with rare and complex conditions from all over the southeast of England and beyond.