Service Project Ideas - Patient and Family Activity Packets and Care Packages

Aug 26, 2026

Service Project Ideas provides practical guidance for organizing donations and service activities supporting patients and families during long hospital stays. It outlines activity packet contents to engage children and reduce stress, emphasizing safe, non-toxic, latex-free craft and art materials, and avoiding items such as candy, food, chalk, violent-themed toys, and religious materials. It also recommends patient and caregiver care package item lists, including toiletries, books, and comfort items, with strict requirements for new, unused goods, original packaging, and infection-prevention limits.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Service Project Ideas

Activity packets for patients and families

Craft and safety requirements

Patient and parent/caregiver care packages

Donation drives and item collection

Donation and eligibility notes

Service Project Ideas 􀁸 Create activity packets- providing a couple of fun activities for patients and families to engage in during long appointments or hospital stays can be so helpful in passing the time and helping kids cope! Please use plastic Ziplock bags rather than paper ones, which are difficult to store and are prone to breaking. Here are some ideas for what activity packets could contain: 􀁸 A few coloring pages and a small box of Crayola or Rose Art crayons 􀁸 A few “adult/teen” coloring pages with colored pencils 􀁸 A small canvas and a mini paint kit (small palette and brush) 􀁸 2-3 mini tubs of Play Doh brand modeling clay with a few Play Doh tools 􀁸 Assorted plastic beads with lacing cord to make a necklace/bracelet or a keychain (please include printed instructions for keychain) 􀁸 A few guidelines for craft projects include: 􀁸 SAFETY is the most important consideration when selecting craft items. Arts & craft materials must have the non-toxic seal (AP, CP, health label Non-Toxic) 􀁸 Crayons must be Rose Art or Crayola brands 􀁸 We cannot utilize or accept items which contain latex (i.e. rubber bands, rubber stamps, rubber balls, rubber erasers, elastic) because many children have latex allergies 􀁸 Please refrain from donating projects that contain candy, food, chalk or religious materials 􀁸 Create patient or parent/caregiver care packages—providing a small bag of items which contain a variety of things to support patients or caregivers during hospitalization is another wonderful idea. Below you’ll find the types of items which are appropriate for these care packages: 􀁸 Patient care packages: small toys (infant rattle, deck of UNO cards, Hot Wheels car, etc), books, art supplies (mini art kit, coloring book with Crayola crayons/colored pencils), notebooks and pens, reusable water bottles, travel tissue packs, lip balms (non-petroleum based), headphones, slipper socks/fuzzy socks 􀁸 Parent/Caregiver care packages: reusable water bottles, travel coffee mugs, travel tissue packs, travel toiletries (for men and women), lip balms, hair ties, slipper socks, travel blankets/pillows, crossword/word search books and pens/pencils, adult coloring books and colored pencils, decks of cards, headphones, book lights for nighttime reading, eye covers and ear plugs for sleeping 􀁸 Please note—all items must be newly purchased, unused and in original packaging. Please ensure all items are latex free and culturally/politically neutral. Please do not include hand sanitizer or food items. Handmade items—blankets, socks, hats, etc.—cannot be included in care packages secondary to infection prevention regulations. Please note, donations made directly to the Children’s Hospital of Michigan are no longer be tax deductible due to changes resulting from the sale of the Detroit Medical Center, and with it the Children’s Hospital of Michigan, to investor owned Vanguard Health and now Tenet. Service Project Ideas 􀁸 Host a drive and collect items which are so useful to the patients and families at Children’s Hospital of Michigan. The following ideas make excellent drives: 􀁸 Newly purchased and unused toys and games -UNO cards, regular playing cards, infant-toddler toys/rattles, Lego kits, Play Doh, Crayons (MUST BE Crayola or Rose Art brand), colored pencils, markers and paint brushes are all great examples. We use and need these items in the hospital on a daily basis and never seem to have enough! We can also provide you with our toy wish list for even more ideas. 􀁸 Please note that items with violent themes, toy guns/swords and projectile toys are not accepted 􀁸 Newly purchased and unused makeup for McKenna’s Beauty Bar 􀁸 Items which we are regularly in need of include: Makeup bags, hair accessories (hair ties, bows, brushes, combs, headbands, etc.), hair gel, jewelry, hand held mirrors, makeup brushes, makeup remover wipes, eyelashes, foundation for all skin tones, highlighter, blush, nail polish, nail

FAQs

What should activity packets for patients and families include?

Include fun, age-appropriate items such as coloring pages with approved crayons, a mini paint kit, modeling clay, and craft supplies like beads with instructions for keychains.

What safety and material rules apply to craft and art donations?

Choose non-toxic materials with the required safety seal, ensure items are latex-free, and avoid donations containing latex, candy/food/chalk, and religious materials.

Which items are appropriate for patient and parent/caregiver care packages?

Patients can receive small toys, books, art supplies, notebooks and pens, reusable water bottles, and comfort items. Caregivers can receive similar necessities like water bottles, travel toiletries, hair ties, blankets/pillows, and adult coloring books.

Aug 26, 2026

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