How To Play

Animal Sound Book

How to play

Tap on one of the animals to hear the sound it makes!

Main Help Page/What it could be used for (for healthcare referrer or parent)

• Used as a sound therapy tool for children, allowing them to click on different animals to hear their sounds. 
• Healthcare professionals can also use it as a guided activity by directing children to press specific animals. 
• The activity is versatile, encouraging children to tap multiple animals, repeat animal sounds, guess sounds with closed eyes, or create a jungle symphony by pressing multiple animal sounds simultaneously. 
• Additionally, it facilitates conversation by encouraging children to share their favourite animal sounds. 
• The activity is quick and highly effective for diverting attention during brief, fast-paced tasks, such as injections. 
• The engaging illustrations of lively animals and audio animations which enhance the overall experience.

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Breathing Exercise

How to play

Breathe in until the ball gets large, then breath out as it gets smaller. 

Main Help Page/What it could be used for (for healthcare referrer or parent)

• The child focuses on breathing and consequently relaxes and is more cooperative.
• Involve parents in the breathing “breath together” to comfort the child and assist with distracting. This relaxes the child, encourages cooperation, increases their concentration on breath and lessens their attention on any pain.
• It also usually reduces the time taken for the procedure giving a result of reduced anxiety for both child and parent and less stress for the Health Care Professionals involved
• It can be used when assessing the level of pain a child is experiencing. It can be challenging as children of different ages show their pain differently, and anxiety and fear can interfere with pain assessment. This can be an excellent tool to use prior examination to understand their level of fear. 
• Engaging, focusing on the moon getting larger and waiting for it to get smaller to divert attention. 

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Bubble Pop

How to play

Watch the coloured bubbles “pop” as you tap them. Pop as many bubbles as you can!

Main Help Page/What it could be used for (for healthcare referrer or parent)

• Used for guided imagery where children can be asked to “follow the blue bubble” or “follow the yellow bubble.”
• Relaxing for the whole family slows breathing.
• Interactive – count the bubbles/pop the bubbles/count seconds before they land/find the biggest bubble / steer the bubbles by blowing.
• Can engage in conversation by asking questions such as their favourite colour
• It can be completed quite quickly and would be highly beneficial for diverting attention for short/fast amounts of time, such as injecting. 
• Engaging as colours are constantly changing and evolving. 

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Bubble Wrap

How to Play

By touching the bubble wrap, you can pop and create your own unique shape. 

Can you draw a circle? A square? What about a love heart or smiling face? Draw your favourite shape.

Main Help Page/What it could be used for (for healthcare referrer or parent)

• Help with focus, attention, calming and requires active listening
• Enhance dexterity, improve coordination and fine motor skills and assist in the development of muscles of small fingers to touch specific circles.
• Appropriate for all ages and genders and most developmental abilities.
• Replicates the ‘look’ of popping bubble wrap and if active listening is involved, you can hear a small ‘pop’ when touched.
• Can be used to help communicate if the child can’t speak, or to express emotion (e.g. draw a happy face and sad face with differing colours).

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Glitter Fall

How to Play

Watch the glitter fall as you try and find starts, squares, shapes and other objects. 

Main Help Page/What it could be used for (for healthcare referrer or parent)

• This activity helps as a visual distraction and respiratory aid for children undergoing medical procedures, helping them stay calm.
•  It involves guided imagery where children can search for specific objects in glitter.
• The activity includes breathing regulation and relaxation exercises, which effectively reduce stress and anxiety. 
• Calming music is used to lower the child’s heart rate, creating a serene atmosphere for both the child and the healthcare professionals. 
• The colourful changing background enhances distraction, fully immersing the child in the activity.

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Squiggle Board

How to Play

Use your fingers to create drawings, play games, or write messages on the screen. To clear the drawing, simply press the refresh button.

Main Help Page/What it could be used for (for healthcare referrer or parent)

• This visual and interactive distraction aid facilitates communication between the child, parents, and healthcare professionals.
• Hospital staff can use it to explain procedures or showcase the child’s favourite animals, ultimately engaging their concentration levels. 
• The board appeals to a wide age range, even allowing parents to write messages. 
• Additionally, it provides an alternative method of communication, especially for non-verbal or emotionally expressive children (e.g., drawing happy or sad faces to indicate their feelings). 
• The activity can act as a barrier during medical procedures or examinations, blocking the child’s line of sight.

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Swipe to Reveal

How to Play

Choose the image you want to reveal. Swipe along the picture to see the artwork appear. 

Main Help Page/What it could be used for (for healthcare referrer or parent)

• A visual distraction aid
• Engaging  – the child can choose their own technique in revealing the image either by swiping, tapping or in sections. 
• Appropriate for all ages and genders and most developmental abilities.
• It helps reduce fear and anxiety in children during medical procedures, as the fluidity of play can be a relaxing motion. 
• Talking point for healthcare professionals as they can ask the child to describe the different colours in the picture as they reveal sections of it. 
• Can be used with children who are unable to speak or express emotion (e.g. a child can show and share the painting they have chosen to reveal during their play)

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Tile Match

How to Play

Tap on a tile, then tap on another. Remember what you have seen and attempt to make all the tiles match. 

The tiles will not reverse if you get the correct match.

Main Help Page/What it could be used for (for healthcare referrer or parent)

• A visual distraction aid.
• A bit like ‘Where’s Wally’ – for example, the nurse says “, Can you find the matching tiles?” – resulting in attention being diverted from the procedure or examination.
• Suitable for older children who enjoy more of a challenge.
• It’s a talking point and an engagement point “have you found this tile yet?” 
• A shared activity – the parent or nurse participate with the child 
• It can be used for more prolonged medical procedures as it takes longer to complete than any other game

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Toony Tunes

How to Play

Tap on the keys to play music! Tap on your favourite colour and listen for what sound it makes. 

Main Help Page/What it could be used for (for healthcare referrer or parent)

• Audible distraction aid
• It is used to consume a child’s attention.
• A shared activity – the parent or nurse can ‘play’ a song with the child.’
• Engaging – the child can press the sound buttons.
• “Close your eyes and listen” and therefore visually diverting attention 
• Great to draw attention in a specific direction (look to the left/yellow note or look to the right/red).
• Talking point for older children: “What is your favourite colour note?”
• Great to draw attention in a specific direction (look to the left/look to the right), and assists in making a sensory diagnosis for sight.

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Windmill Spin

How to Play

Tap the screen to start spinning the windmill. When it slows down, tap it again to keep it going. Breathe out whilst pressing the screen, breathe in when the windmill slows down.

Main Help Page/What it could be used for (for healthcare referrer or parent)

• Visual distraction and respiratory aid.
• Used for guided imagery where the child is encouraged to “blow out their pain”
• Regulates breathing which dramatically reduces stress and anxiety by slowing breathing down.
• It helps lower heart rate for anxious children and family members that participate or witness their child calming down. 
• Further, exactly like yawning – if you see someone yawn, in a reflex reaction, your brain thinks there’s not enough oxygen in the room and triggers a yawn. This can be used for the entire family if they are anxious.
• Visual aid – the child can be asked to keep blowing to make the colours spin.