Thank you for choosing to donate to the Child Life Department at Ochsner Hospital for Children.  

The toys, gift cards, art supplies and other wonderful goodies donated are used to stock playrooms and reward our bravest patients as they face the frightening realities of a stay in the hospital.  

Unfortunately, as COVID-19 cases rise, we are unable to continue accepting in person donations this year, but if you can, please consider visiting Child Life's Amazon Wishlist.

Below one will find detailed information on items that we are able to accept. 

Donation Guidelines

All donations must be NEW, UNUSED, UNWRAPPED, AND IN ORIGINAL PACKAGING. 

Due to infection control guidelines we are unable to accept: stuffed animals, toys with cloth, dolls with cloth or hair, blankets/pillows, books that are paperback or paper pages, handmade or used items of any kind, perishable items, etc. as these items could be harmful to our patients. Also, we cannot accept religious materials of any kind.

Example of appropriate toys are listed below:

Infants & Toddlers: Summer Soothe and Vibe Portable Soother, Fisher Price, Baby Einstein, Board Books, Crib Aquarums, V-tech, infant links, plastic teethers, musical & light-up toys

Preschool: Disney figures sets, Fisher Price animals and people, Matchbox cars, trucks, action figures, balls, platic dolls-all ethnicities- Medical play sets, Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head, Plastic Blocks, V-tech, Lego sets

School-age: Lego sets, craft kits, science kits, art kits, action figures, nerf sport toys (no guns), board games, card games

Teens: Teen crafts, adult coloring books, scrapbook kits, beauty items- nail polish, lip balm/gloss, bath/body products (female/male), nerf sport toys, fit bits, gift cards, video games (Xbox 360-one, Playstation 3, Wii)

Gift cards of any amounts are used for individual patient and family needs, especially teens! Amazon, Walmart, iTunes, Smoothie King, PJ’s Coffee, Uber and Waiter gift cards are used the most!

Donations for Specific Interest

Throughout the hospital we use toys in different areas! The Child Life Department is responsible for supplying and stocking four playrooms and two teen areas! Each area uses specific toys to meet the developmental needs of their patient population. Toys that are consistently utilized are most needed for restocking purposes. Below one will find a guideline to toys that are most utilized in each area.

Pediatric Playrooms: These playrooms are for pediatric inpatients only! We have two main pediatric inpatient playrooms. These playrooms are for patients 12yrs and younger! Most utilized items include: toddler toys/play area, kitchen toys, board games, figurines, medical play kits, coloring books.

Sibling Center: Our Sibling Center is for siblings and cousins when they come to visit our patients. Inpatient children are allowed to join their family in this playroom. Most utilized items include: kitchen toys, large legos, chalk board, and board games

Teen Lounge: The Teen Lounge is for pediatric inpatient teens only! Teenagers ages 12-21 can come in the lounge to relax and get out of their room. Most utilized items include: computer, video game systems, board games, adult coloring books

Oncology Clinic Playroom: The oncology playroom is strictly for infusion patients. Most utilized items include: train set, art supplies, tactile games, coloring books

Oncology Teen Room: The clinic Teen Room is strictkly for infusion teenage patients. Most utilized items include: video games, art supplies, card games, adult coloring books