By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
For many children facing hospital stays, playtime often takes a backseat to medical treatments, but thanks to a generous initiative from The Toy Foundation, play is making a comeback in pediatric care.
The philanthropic arm of The Toy Association has awarded $405,000 to 23 children’s hospitals and health systems across the U.S., funding play projects designed to bring comfort and joy to young patients during their medical journeys.
These grants will directly benefit more than 245,000 children, with a special focus on hospitals serving under-resourced communities nationwide. From sensory-friendly play areas to inclusive activity centers and arts and crafts projects, The Toy Foundation’s Play Fund program ensures that play remains an essential part of healing.
Recognizing that play is not just about fun and games but also an essential component of childhood development, The Toy Foundation’s Play Fund is the only industry-wide initiative of its kind. By uniting the philanthropy of leading toy companies, the program helps create environments where hospitalized children can feel a sense of normalcy, build emotional resilience, and develop positive coping skills during challenging times.
“Play is a key component of childhood. Having access to play in difficult situations, such as a hospital stay, can provide immense comfort and emotional benefits to pediatric patients as they receive treatment and heal,” said Pam Mastrota, executive director at The Toy Foundation. “We are proud that by the end of 2025, the collective impact of our Play Fund program will have provided the power of play to 825,000 children nationwide since 2021.”
Hospitals Set to Benefit from the 2025 Grants
The 23 hospitals receiving funding this year span the country from coast to coast, ensuring that children in a variety of healthcare settings have access to enriching play opportunities. Among the recipients are:
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago (IL)
- Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Hospital (TX)
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (PA)
- Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital (FL)
- Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation (KY)
- Saint Francis Children’s Hospital (OK)
These hospitals, along with many others, will use their grants to establish and expand play programs that make hospital stays less daunting for young patients.
A Winning Play for Pediatric Care
Since launching in 2021, the Play Fund program has awarded 80 grants to children’s hospitals nationwide, totaling $1.6 million in funding. This initiative is made possible through the financial support of toy industry leaders like Mattel, Inc., Beacon Media Group, and VTech Electronics, demonstrating the power of play beyond store shelves and into hospital hallways.
For those looking to learn more about The Toy Foundation’s Play Fund, support the program, or apply for future grants, additional details can be found at ToyFoundation.org.
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