4 Positive Effects Video Games Have on Hospitalized Kids

Did you know that playing video games has remarkable benefits for seriously ill children in the hospital?  

When kids have fun and play in the hospital, they find a sense of happiness and continue to grow cognitively, socially, emotionally and physically. 

Here are four ways that playing video games benefits hospitalized kids: 

1. Playing video games gives kids a sense of control. 

When kids play video games, there are decision making, goal setting, and problem-solving opportunities 

In the hospital setting, children may not have many choices. Playing video games on the Gaming Station empowers kids with a sense of control as they get to make multiple choices, like it did for Patrick. 

Patrick needed to lay flat for 48 hours straight in his hospital bed after surgery for a complex tethered cord. He also copes with PTSD, Anxiety and depression, and experienced overwhelming negative thoughts and emotions during his hospital stay. Still, Patrick’s mood changed when he put the black controller of the Starlight Nintendo Switch Gaming Station into his hands. With a click of a button, he found a sense of relief and emotional support from overwhelmed feelings, stress and anxiety.

2. Playing video games can help kids cope by distracting from pain and improving mood. 

When kids can play video games at their children’s hospital, they feel rewarded with a sense of accomplishment level-by-level, motivating them to face other challenges. Also, playing video games redirects children’s focus to fun rather than the pain from treatments and procedures.  

3. Playing video games gives children a way to connect with others. 

Kids can often feel isolated and lonely during hospital stays because they are separated from their loved ones. Gaming provides them with an opportunity to connect with peers in the playroom or even medical staff! 

Through Starlight gaming, Aria got to socialize with nurses and gaming specialists at her hospital, organizing tournaments and inviting nurses to be a part of bracket-style matches. These moments helped Aria build trust with her healthcare providers! 

4. Playing video games normalizes the hospital environment. 

Play gives kids familiarity and structure, making the hospital environment less scary and intimidating. Play brings elements of kids’ everyday lives into the hospital setting, creating a sense of comfort.  

Luca has had over 100 appointments at the hospital, playing on the Starlight Gaming Station gave him a sense of normalcy. Playing Mario Kart in the hospital was comforting because it reminded him of when he played on his Nintendo Switch with his sister at home.