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Play therapy

In play therapy, children and young people have a safe place to play, create and simply be children. Here, you can focus on the things you enjoy – an important part of the healing process. 

Our play therapy is available for children and teenagers at Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, whether you are visiting, staying on a ward or are the sibling of a patient.

You do not need to book an appointment. You are always welcome during opening hours. You need to be accompanied by an adult. 

At the play therapy, we have educational specialists, librarians and music educators who are experienced in play, creative activities and child development.

  • A mother and child with a toy MRI machine.
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    Hugo tries magnetic resonance imaging using a doll.

  • A child playing with a doll in a toy MRI machine.
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    The doll goes into the magnetic resonance imaging machine.

  • A perfomance artist playing with a child.
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    The hospital’s performer visits the play therapy, this time as Pyssel‑Fia, a creatiev craft character. 

  • A child playing with the hospitals perfomance artist.
    4 av 8

    Aadhirai draws together with Pyssel-Fia

  • A child playing with cubes.
    5 av 8

    Leo plays with building blocks.

  • A child with the Queen Silvia's Children's hospitals mascot.
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    Julie with Queen Silvia Children's Hospital's mascot Plåster (Swedish for Band-Aid). 

  • A child playing with an ambulance toy.
    7 av 8

    Leo plays with an ambulance and a helicopter. 

  • A child playing with a doll in a wheelchair.
    8 av 8

    Hugo takes care of a doll in a wheelchair.

  • A mother and child with a toy MRI machine.
  • A child playing with a doll in a toy MRI machine.
  • A perfomance artist playing with a child.
  • A child playing with the hospitals perfomance artist.
  • A child playing with cubes.
  • A child with the Queen Silvia's Children's hospitals mascot.
  • A child playing with an ambulance toy.
  • A child playing with a doll in a wheelchair.

Things you can do with us
  • Play in different playrooms  
  • Paint and create in the art studio  
  • Play games, billiards or video games  
  • Try musical instruments or listen to music  
  • Read, rest or simply relax  

Every week there is something extra happening, such as:

  • Theatre or music performances  
  • Films with popcorn  
  • Bingo, quizzes or games  
  • Visits from animals, performers or other special guests

You can choose what you would like to do – or simply take it easy.

With us, you can play with healthcare equipment and materials in your own way. This can be a good way to prepare for a treatment or operation, for example. It is common for siblings to play here to better understand what their brother or sister is going through. 

For example, you can: 

  • Try medical equipment on a doll  
  • Act out a treatment  
  • Practice as many times as you need until it feels right  

We can come to you

If you do not feel well enough to come to the play therapy, a play therapist or librarian can visit you in your hospital room instead. We listen to what you would like to do. 

For example, we can: 

  • Play or play games
  • Read together  
  • Do arts and crafts  
  • Talk – or simply spend some time together  

Support for siblings

At the hospital, we have something unique – a sibling support worker. This is an educator who provides dedicated support to siblings of patients. It can be comforting to have someone to talk to, play with or simply spend time with when mum and dad need to focus on the child who is unwell.

A child with two dogs.

Therapy dogs

therapy dogs are part of the care we provide. You can meet them, play with them and cuddle them.

A child running in a childrens library.

Library and school

Continue to learn and grow through our school and library. There is also space for play and imagination.

A child looking at an old woman.

Family support

When a child becomes ill, the whole family is affected. It is common to feel worried or stressed, or to feel that life is not quite working as usual.