Nurses Use LEGO to Ease Kids’ Hospital Fears
- Play reduces fear: LEGO’s MRI Scanner sets help children understand scans through hands-on play, easing anxiety and cutting sedation rates nearly in half.
- Nurses lead the way: Nurses and child life specialists use these sets to build trust and prepare young patients for procedures in a friendly, low-stress way.
- Play extends beyond MRI: Other hospital-themed LEGO and DUPLO sets help kids (and adults!) get comfortable with healthcare settings at home or bedside.
Image source: LEGO
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Nothing sparks joy quite like LEGO bricks, right? Now imagine those colorful little blocks helping kids feel braver about hospital visits—yes, really!
The LEGO MRI Scanner set is turning scans from scary to seriously cool by transforming an intimidating hospital procedure into a familiar and fun playtime adventure. And that’s just the start. There are plenty more medical building block sets for kids, and hey, adults love these too, designed to help everyone feel comfortable and confident in medical spaces.
LEGO MRI Scanner Sets: Play That Helps Kids Relax
MRI scans can be loud and intimidating for children. Designed by the LEGO Group and the LEGO Foundation, the LEGO MRI Scanner set transforms this experience by letting kids explore the scanning process through play. The set includes a mini scanner, patient bed, waiting room, staff minifigures, and medical accessories.
Research from the LEGO Group found that 96% of healthcare professionals say the model helps reduce children’s anxiety, and 46% report it has reduced the need for sedation or anesthesia during MRI procedures. Since 2023, more than 10,000 MRI sets have been donated to hospitals around the world, supporting over a million children.
Diana Ringe Krogh, Vice President and Head of Social Responsibility at LEGO, said: "Our MRI Scanner set shows how a simple act of play can have a big impact… By giving children the opportunity to explore, ask questions, and play their way through a medical procedure, we’re helping them feel safer and more in control. It is amazing to see how this set is reducing the number of children who need to be put to sleep for their scans."
A mother shared the impact firsthand: "On the day of her second scan, Ivy did really well and was even a bit excited! If we hadn’t played with the LEGO MRI model beforehand, I think she would have had a full meltdown and would no doubt have needed general anesthetic. Nobody wants their child to be put to sleep if you can avoid it."
Hospitals like NHS Lothian have integrated the LEGO MRI set as a valuable tool in pediatric care to improve patient comfort and outcomes.
More Hospital Fun with LEGO
The LEGO MRI Scanner set’s positive impact has inspired interest in other hospital-themed building sets that help children and adults get comfortable with healthcare environments. Popular sets include:
- LEGO City Hospital: Features a nurse station, emergency room, pharmacy, and inpatient ward across three levels.
- LEGO Friends Heartlake City Hospital: Bright and imaginative hospital play for younger children with a helicopter, maternity ward and working elevator.
- LEGO City: Emergency Air Ambulance Airplane: Kids can pilot an airplane with a medical lab on mountain rescue missions, complete with a snow scooter, stretcher and skier minifigures.
- LEGO City Doctor and Patient: This set comes complete with a stretcher bed and IV.
- LEGO DUPLO Town First Doctor Visit: The 2-story hospital playset immerses toddlers in imaginative play as they get a shot with the toy syringe, have an X-ray done or get their height and weight checked.
Nurses and LEGO: A Perfect Team
The combination of real healthcare expertise and playful exploration is making hospitals less daunting, bringing smiles where there was once fear.
For nurses, the magic of LEGO isn’t just in the colorful bricks—it’s in what they build: courage, connection, and calm. Every small model can spark a big change in how a child feels about care. Whether it’s a pre-scan play session or a quiet moment at the bedside, nurses know that sometimes healing starts with imagination—and a handful of LEGO bricks.
🤔 Nurses: what do you think about using LEGO with younger patients? Let us know in the discussion forum below.
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