Entertainment and Special Events

Special performances, presentations, and visitors can help to brighten the day of hospitalized children and their family members. The following guidelines make the entertainment experience most enjoyable for our patients and their families, as well as for the entertainers and visitors. 
 
If you are interested in performing or if you would like to provide a special event for the children and families and you feel that your presentation or program meets our guidelines, you are welcome to submit an application (PDF) form to the Recreation Therapy / Child Life department. If you have further questions, you may contact us at (650) 497-8336.

Entertainment / Special Event Guidelines

The Recreation Therapy / Child Life Department wishes to normalize and enrich the hospital experience by encouraging individuals and groups from the community to share their special talents with our patients and families.
 
To assure that the experience is a beneficial and mutually satisfying experience for our patients and entertainers, we ask that you observe the following guidelines:

• All entertainers must be screened and approved in advance by the Recreation Therapy / Child Life Department.
  
  
• Individuals must be at least 18 years of age or older. Group is limited to entertainers only, (please no children or family of entertainers).
  
  
• Group size should be limited to no more than 10 adults.
  
  
• Infection control guidelines must be followed.
  
  
• Activities should not deal with threatening themes such as death, violence or degradation.
  
  
• Because LPCH is a nonsectarian hospital, the Recreation Therapy / Child Life Department does not directly sponsor activities or presentations with a religious theme. However, our Chaplain program may be interested in sponsoring such an event. Please call them at (650) 497-8209.
  
  
• Performances may not include live animals or potentially harmful materials such as fire, guns, knives etc.
  
  
• Food items must have prior approval from the Recreation Therapy / Child Life Department.
  
  
• Participants wishing to provide gift items for patients should discuss the specifics of these items with the Recreation Therapy / Child Life staff in advance.
  
  
• Only Mylar balloons are allowed at LPCH. This means that latex balloons cannot be used for decorations, given to patients, or used to make balloon animals / characters.
  
  
• Costumes, masks and make-up can be frightening to children. Entertainers should be sensitive to this and present themselves in such a way as not to frighten children.
  
  
• Photographs of patients may be taken by approved media only due to confidentiality and privacy issues.
  
  
• The Recreation Therapy / Child Life Department should be notified of cancellations at least 24 hours in advance.
  
  
• For best audience reception, we recommend that your performance be 30 - 40 minutes in duration. All entertainers must schedule their performance during the following times:

Monday - Friday between 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Monday - Thursday between 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday between 2:00-4:00 p.m.

• The Therapist / Specialist will closely observe the patients' emotional well-being during the performance / presentation. If at any time the interaction becomes potentially stressful for the patients and/or families, the performance will be redirected or terminated.