For Kids and For Teens

For Teens

Are you scheduled to have a surgical procedure at Children's?
We have an online video for Teens and Adolescents. Watch and listen as a group of teens who have had surgery here answer questions you may have. If you have additional questions, call the child life department.

The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) at Children’s is another resource to answer your questions. YAC is a dedicated group of patients, ages 10 to 18, who offers practical ideas on how to help Children’s focus even more closely on the special needs of children and teenagers. They eagerly voice their opinions, from choices of food on the hospital menu to how they want adults at Children’s to relate to them.

Minnesota Wild Teen Room
We’ve lots of fun things you can do once you are up to them. Our Teen Room in St. Paul is set aside exclusively for teens to hang out. The room, donated by the Minnesota Wild, has videos, VCR, art supplies, bubble hockey, PCs, CDs, video games, and television. Laptops can be checked out for use in your room.

In Your Room
Each patient room in St. Paul and Minneapolis has a VCR, television, and radio. Videos are available for checkout. Nintendo 64 and Play Station carts can also be brought into your room.

For Kids

The Can-Can Café
In addition to pre-recorded programming, Star Studio produces The Can-Can Café, a live, interactive program filmed on-location in the Minneapolis Sibling Play Area for patients and their families. Join Host Laura, Gaston, and The Dude, professional actors who host an entertaining variety show featuring games, stories, and music. Patients, families, and staff members are all encouraged to take part in the fun. Join the live studio audience or call in from the Minneapolis or St. Paul hospital campus during the show at 5-5555.
The Can-Can Café airs from 11 a.m. - noon every Tuesday and Thursday. All are welcome! Go to the Star Studio web page.

The Betty Malkerson Library and the Hideaway Library
These libraries provide positive educational, informational, and recreational materials, games, and programs to help patients and their families understand and adjust to their hospital experience. The library is accessible to all patients, siblings, parents, and hospital staff. Library staff are available during library hours to assist in selecting appropriate materials and to help children use computers. See hours, locations, and activities.

Bookwagon Rounds
Volunteers make daily visits with the bookwagon so patients can check out library books and magazines without leaving their rooms. Library staff and volunteers will also visit rooms to read to children. Learn more.

Sibling Play Areas
Brothers and sisters of patients at Children’s of Minnesota are invited to spend time in the Sibling Play Area. It’s a fun, safe space that offers supervised child care. The Sibling Play Area is designed to give family members a break with the comfort of knowing that siblings are receiving special attention, and enjoying themselves in a creative environment. See locations, hours, and activities.

In Your Room
Each patient room in St. Paul and Minneapolis has a VCR, television, and radio. Videos are available for checkout. Nintendo 64 and Play Station carts can also be brought into your room.