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When a child is diagnosed with cancer, their world changes dramatically. Hospital stays, medical procedures, and physical limitations can make it challenging to experience the joy and developmental benefits that come from play. Yet play remains crucial for children facing cancer, serving as both an emotional outlet and a way to maintain normalcy during treatment.
In my years working with pediatric cancer patients and their families, I’ve found that thoughtfully selected activities can transform difficult days into moments of joy and accomplishment. These activities do more than just pass time—they provide essential psychological support, cognitive stimulation, and opportunities for self-expression during a challenging journey.
This guide presents 10 evidence-based, engaging activities specifically designed for children with cancer, accounting for common limitations like fatigue, mobility restrictions, and infection prevention needs.
Before diving into specific activities, it’s important to recognize the unique challenges that children with cancer face when it comes to play and recreation:
I’ve observed that the most successful activities adapt to these needs rather than trying to work around them. The following activities are specifically chosen to be flexible, adaptable, and appropriate for various ages, treatment stages, and ability levels.
Coding and robotics have emerged as transformative activities for children with cancer, offering cognitive engagement and a sense of accomplishment even during treatment limitations. These tech-focused activities provide unique benefits specifically valuable for pediatric cancer patients:
In my experience working with pediatric oncology units, I’ve seen remarkable transformations when children discover coding during treatment. Seven-year-old Jacob, confined to his hospital room during intensive chemotherapy, found joy in creating simple animations using Scratch. What began as a distraction became a passion that helped him maintain intellectual engagement despite missing school.
Therapeutic benefits I’ve observed include:
Many children’s hospitals now partner with organizations like ItsMyBot to provide specialized STEM learning opportunities for children undergoing cancer treatment. These programs adapt their teaching approaches to accommodate the unique needs of children in medical settings.
Accessibility considerations:
For parents wanting to introduce coding during their child’s cancer journey, starting with block coding offers an accessible entry point that requires minimal setup while providing maximum engagement.
Storytelling provides a powerful escape for children who may be physically confined during treatment. Audio stories and collaborative storytelling can transport children beyond hospital walls while requiring minimal physical exertion.
In my experience working with 8-year-old Mia during her leukemia treatment, audio stories became her daily ritual. Her parents created a special “story nest” with comfortable pillows and headphones. This simple setup gave her something to look forward to during long hospital days and provided a sense of control in choosing her daily adventure.
Pro tip: For children experiencing nausea from chemotherapy, gentle audio activities can provide distraction without triggering motion sickness that visual activities sometimes cause.
Art therapy has well-documented benefits for children facing serious illness. Beyond the psychological benefits, art projects can be easily modified to accommodate different energy levels, mobility restrictions, and hospital environments.
I’ve found that watercolor painting with special paper is particularly valuable for children with port access or IV lines, as it requires minimal movement and creates beautiful results with very little physical effort.
Materials to consider:
Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a game-changing tool for pediatric cancer patients. Recent studies show that VR experiences can significantly reduce pain perception and anxiety during procedures while offering immersive adventures for children with limited mobility.
When 12-year-old Ethan couldn’t attend his planned school field trip to the aquarium due to treatment, we arranged a VR ocean exploration experience. The joy on his face as he “swam” with dolphins and explored coral reefs was unforgettable, and for a moment, he forgot he was in a hospital room.
Important consideration: Always check with medical staff before introducing VR, as it may not be appropriate for all patients, particularly those experiencing dizziness or severe nausea from treatment.
Many children with cancer develop a natural curiosity about science through their exposure to medical treatments. Channeling this interest into age-appropriate STEM activities can be both educational and empowering.
During my time volunteering at a pediatric oncology unit, we started a “Science Fridays” program where children could participate in safe, engaging experiments. One memorable activity involved making “cloud dough” – a sensory experience that taught concepts of mixtures while providing tactile stimulation.
Infection control tip: Ensure all materials can be properly sanitized, use single-use kits when possible, and avoid activities that could compromise air quality or create difficult-to-clean residues.
The therapeutic benefits of music for children with cancer are well-documented in research. Music engagement activates multiple areas of the brain, potentially providing pain management benefits while offering emotional expression.
One of my most powerful experiences was witnessing 9-year-old Sophia, who was often withdrawn during treatment, come alive during music therapy sessions. Through songwriting, she found a voice to express difficult emotions about her cancer experience that she couldn’t articulate in conversation.
Many children’s hospitals now offer formal music therapy programs, but even without a therapist, parents can implement simple musical activities that provide similar benefits.
Research shows that connection with nature can reduce stress hormones and improve overall wellbeing, even when that connection must be adapted for children unable to go outdoors regularly.
For children in extended isolation, these nature connections become particularly valuable. I’ve seen how maintaining a small succulent plant gave 10-year-old Max a sense of responsibility and accomplishment during his bone marrow transplant isolation period.
Safety consideration: For children with severely compromised immune systems, live plants may not be appropriate. In these cases, consider alternatives like artificial plants or nature photography projects.
Digital games and activities can provide valuable cognitive stimulation and social connection for children with cancer. The key is selecting options that accommodate physical limitations while promoting positive engagement.
Digital platforms like Scratch can be particularly valuable, allowing children to create their own interactive stories and games with minimal physical effort.
Balance tip: While digital activities can be valuable, balance screen time with other sensory experiences, especially for younger children or those experiencing treatment-related eye sensitivity.
Creating and using puppets combines multiple therapeutic elements: craft, storytelling, and emotional expression. Puppets can also serve as valuable tools for children to communicate about difficult medical experiences.
I’ve seen remarkable moments where children who struggled to talk about their fears could express them through puppet characters. Nine-year-old Lily created a puppet show about “Captain White Cell” fighting the “Cancer Monsters,” which helped her process her understanding of treatment in an empowering way.
Creative adaptation: For children with hair loss, creating puppets with interchangeable hairstyles can be a playful way to normalize their experience and express creativity.
For many children undergoing cancer treatment, relationships with food become complicated due to nausea, taste changes, and dietary restrictions. Involving children in simple food preparation can help rebuild positive associations with eating.
During my work with pediatric cancer patients, I found that smoothie-making sessions were particularly successful. Children could control ingredients, experiment with flavors to counteract metallic taste from chemotherapy, and create nutritionally dense options even when appetite was poor.
Medical consideration: Always check with the child’s nutritionist or medical team regarding any dietary restrictions, especially during neutropenic periods when certain fresh foods may be restricted.
The environment in which activities take place significantly impacts their effectiveness. Whether at home or in the hospital, consider these factors:
I’ve found that creating a visual “activity menu” with options categorized by energy level can help children make appropriate choices while maintaining a sense of control during treatment.
Finding appropriate activities shouldn’t become another burden for parents already navigating childhood cancer. Here are valuable resources:
In my experience, connecting with other parents through hospital-based support groups often yields the most practical, tested activity ideas specific to your child’s treatment protocol and restrictions.
While cancer treatment inevitably disrupts childhood, thoughtfully chosen activities can preserve opportunities for joy, development, and self-expression. The goal isn’t to ignore the reality of cancer but to ensure it doesn’t define the entirety of a child’s experience.
Through my years working with children facing cancer, I’ve witnessed how the right activities at the right time can transform difficult days and create meaningful memories. The activities in this guide are starting points—each child’s interests and needs will ultimately guide the most beneficial approaches.
Remember that sometimes the simplest activities create the most profound impacts. A gentle art project, a whispered story, or a puppet show performed from a hospital bed might seem small, but these moments of engagement and expression are powerful medicine for the spirit.
What activities have you found successful for children facing cancer? Share your experiences in the comments below to help other families on this journey.
Disclaimer: Always consult with your child’s healthcare team before introducing new activities, particularly those involving physical movement, food, or materials that might impact infection control.
