Katie Taylor, CCLS Child Life On Call for SmileMakers Inc

In hospitals, staff serve children and families from all different cultures that practice many different types of religions. But what is the ONE type of thing that ALL kids like? FUN.

That ’s why I decided to round up my top five winter holiday favorites from SmileMakers that would be great for any hospital, school, doctor ’s office or place that serves kids!

Holiday Stress Toys

Great for Holiday gift bags, prizes, ER/Outpatient/Inpatient settings. Don't stress the holidays - give these cuties a squeeze instead! Perfect for patient prizes or to use in office to ease tensions during the Christmas season. Foam. Assorted designs

Melted Snow Slime

Great for therapeutic play in inpatient settings! Oh, no! Our snowmen are melting! Each tub is filled with glittery white putty with cute snowmen designs on the lids! There's 'snow' better place to find cute prizes for your patients than SmileMakers! Assorted lid designs.

Make Your Own Snowman Sticker Sheet

Is it even a holiday without a sticker sheet? Great for fast-paced environments like the ER, outpatient clinics and radiology! Make Your Own™ Snowman Stickers. Make-Your-Own stickers are a sticker and an activity in one--and they are only available at SmileMakers! Each fun style comes with small stickers so kids can create their own unique design. Customize the snowman with the accessories you like most!

Foam Snowman Stress Balls

Use for procedure support and promoting stress-relieving coping skills! Help your patients relax with these festive snowmen dressed in cozy scarves and hats, complete with rosy cheeks and a smile! Great addition to your wintry treasure chest! Foam.

December Holiday Stickers

Use this as rewards for office visits, incentive charts, and crafts! December Holiday Stickers. Whether you just want a few stickers for your class or you are interested in making a large order for your school, you will find all the teacher stickers you need at SmileMakers. Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and more are celebrated through this one-of-a-kind sticker assortment. Pass them out to students during the season or use them as stocking stuffers!

Peppermint Candy YoYo ’s

I use yo-yo ’s all the time in my practice to demonstrate the waves of emotions we can all go through. Simply put, sometimes I feel up, sometimes I feel down.  

Holiday Bendables

Great for Holiday gift bags, prizes, ER/Outpatient/Inpatient settings. Make your Christmas merry and bright with our flexible, vinyl holiday bendable characters! This set features reindeer, snowmen and Santa Claus! Kids will love to pose them as they like for decorations or putting on a play.

During winter holidays, it's best to try to match the family's holiday preference. If a child is hospitalized that is celebrating Hanukkah, we work with the parents to determine when and how often we can support them with gifts and prizes. If a child celebrates Christmas or Kwanzaa, we talk with caregivers about when their family typically gives gifts. These are all great items to use for children from all backgrounds and faiths.