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Play Areas and Gardens

Boy, girl and mom in play area with therapy dog

Whether you're here to see a specialist, a stay in the medical center, or visiting a patient who is staying in the medical center, the play areas and gardens at Cook Children's provide a welcome break.

There are playrooms, playgrounds, recreation and picnic areas, and quiet places to meditate or just breathe. Everyone needs a break and a chance to stretch their legs. And if your child's siblings are visiting, a place to spend some family time together.

Campus Map: Find a play area or garden

Playrooms

We have playrooms on every floor of the medical center, except for the pediatric intensive care unit and the neonatal intensive care unit.

The playrooms are open:

  • 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday through Friday
  • 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

There are group activities at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. in most playrooms. Check with a staff member or ask for a calendar to see if we have any special events going on this week.

Playgrounds

We have an indoor and outdoor playground. The indoor playground is located on the first floor of the medical center behind Camelot Court. The outdoor playground is located outside of the main medical center entrance on the front grounds.

Child Life Zone

Yay for a place inside Cook Children's where little kids, big kids and teens can go to just be kids. The Child Life Zone (CLZ) is a state-of-the-art environment that offers a different kind of "medicine." At the CLZ, we think games, art, music, creativity and imagination are great therapy and deliver a big dose of fun to help kids feel better.

Learn more about the CLZ

Meditation garden

Outside our Dodson Specialty Clinic, across from the outdoor play area, there's a special place for quiet mediation or relaxation when you need a break. The garden features topiaries, flowers and seating areas.

Dillard Family Garden

At Cook Children's, we know being able to escape the medical center's walls can be vital to the healing process. In the Dillard Family Garden, families have a quiet and tranquil place to visit outdoors or simply relax, just steps from the medical center. The garden was designed to encompass our values and Promise. It features braided trails symbolizing that while each patient's journey is unique, we all come together to improve the health of every child. The garden also includes artwork, shaded seating areas, flowers, a fountain and trees.