Child Life Zone
A a place inside Cook Children's where our patients can go to just be kids. Funded by the Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation and the Troy Aikman Foundation, along with gifts from our very generous donors,The Child Life Zone (CLZ) is a state-of-the-art, treatment-free environment that offers a different kind of "medicine." At The Zone, we think games, art, music, creativity and imagination make for great therapy and deliver a big dose of fun to help kids feel better. As part of Child Life services, all the staff here are part of the Cook Children's care team. And, because The Zone is in the medical center, the medical team is always nearby.
Who can visit The Zone?
The center is open to:
- Inpatients who aren't in isolation
- Outpatients who are on-campus to see specialists and may be between tests or waiting for results
- Family of patients
What if a patient isn't able to visit The Zone?
Tune in daily to CLZ-TV programming on channel 2. Even when patients are confined to their room for some reason, they still have opportunities to interact, play games, make art and even win prizes via CLZ-TV. CLZ-TV delivers game shows, quizzes, creative arts and crafts, yoga and more, right to the room.
Locations and hours
We're located on the first floor of the medica center across from the Lego® model and Mirror Mirror Hair & Nail Salon.
9 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon-Fri,
682-885-7027 phone
For more information, reach email us, bianca.erazo@cookchildrens.org
What we offer
Try out the drums, guitar, piano and singing. Work with studio staff on recording and songwriting.
Tune in 24/7 on channel 2. At CLZ-TV, imagination takes the spotlight. In the studio, you can play live game shows, create crafts during activity time, star in your own show and more!
Visit Zone Central where you can do arts and crafts, play board games and observe the live studio broadcasts.
A place designated for children who may need a soothing, calming environment.
Check out our game room that includes a pool table, air hockey, video games and more.
Browse our collection of books for all ages. Patients may check out books to bring to their room during their stay.
Here to help families navigate their child’s health care journey, our library is led by a full-time librarian, offers essential resources including computer access, printing, book borrowing and a serene space for reading and relaxation.
Activities and events
There's always something happening in the CLZ. Schedules are printed weekly and announcements are made over the PA system. Of course, you can always stop by the CLZ and check to see what's happening or ask about specific activities and events, and pick up a current schedule.
Join in the fun. All ages can play BINGO in our zone central and win prizes! Check with the Chile Life Zone for days and times.
Open every day 3-4:30 p.m. for music exploration on a wide variety of musical instruments, assisted by a staff member or musically inclined volunteer. We have a full electric/digital drum set, electric guitars, acoustic guitars, mandolin, cello, violins, harmonica, keyboard, fiddle, banjo, ukuleles, maracas, tongue drum, bongo drums and a sound booth for recording patients and their very own music.
Therapy dogs visit the Child Life Zone for visits and activities.
Patients and families can enjoy creating amazing arts and crafts using medical supplies. Medical art schedules are available in The Zone.
A variety of arts and crafts projects. These activities are staffed by a member of our child life department or a volunteer. They to patients and siblings of all ages. Group activities are held during the day, Mon-Fri and there are also evening and weekend group activities!
Creativity is great therapy and what's more creative than the culinary arts? Here, kids get to learn how to whip up great food while developing confidence, both in the kitchen and in life. For an extra measure of fun, celebrity chefs often stop by to share their expertise. The Zone kitchen is also home to our CLZ TV cooking shows, with a great menu of programs hosted by our kids and local chefs.
Local or upcoming music artists perform a variety of music genres for our families and staff in either the Child Life Zone or the Light Court (the lounge area located at the entry to the food court). These concerts give our patients and families a break and help to support our local musicians!
CAP (Creative Arts Program) host workshops where our patients and their families can decorate an instrument with beads, feathers, paint, glitter and other art supplies. At the end of the workshop, participants get to take their artful instruments with them.
We host year-round holiday events to keep our patients connected to the festivities they love.
Tune in to CLZ-TV and join us for craft and creativity time.