Recreational Therapy at Mary Free Bed Kids
At Mary Free Bed Kids, Recreational Therapy plays a vital role in helping children heal, grow and rediscover joy through meaningful play and activity. Our Pediatric Recreational Therapy Program is designed to support a child’s physical, emotional, cognitive and social development while making therapy engaging, motivating and fun.
We believe that play is powerful. For children facing illness, injury, or disability, recreation is therapy. Through carefully planned activities, our recreational therapists help children build confidence, independence, and life skills that carry over into everyday experiences at home, school and in the community.
What is pediatric recreational therapy?
Pediatric recreational therapy, sometimes called therapeutic recreation, is a clinical service that uses play, leisure activities and recreation-based interventions to help children reach functional goals and improve overall well-being.
Unlike unstructured playtime, recreational therapy is intentional and goal-driven. Each activity is carefully selected and adapted to support a child’s individual treatment plan. Therapists use play as a tool to help children:
- Build physical strength and endurance
- Improve motor planning and coordination
- Develop emotional regulation and coping skills
- Increase social interaction and communication
- Learn problem-solving and decision-making
- Gain independence and confidence
For children, learning happens naturally through play. Our Recreational Therapy Program harnesses that natural learning process to support rehabilitation in ways that feel empowering rather than overwhelming.
Why Recreational Therapy Matters for Kids
Children experience medical challenges differently than adults. Hospitalization, injury or long-term rehabilitation can interrupt routines and social connections. Recreational therapy helps bridge that gap by restoring a sense of normalcy, joy, and purpose.
At Mary Free Bed Kids, recreational therapy helps children:
- Stay motivated
- Express emotions in healthy ways
- Reduce stress, anxiety and frustration
- Build resilience and self-esteem
- Maintain developmental progress during rehabilitation
By focusing on what children can do—and what they enjoy—recreational therapy promotes healing of both body and mind.
Our Approach
Our approach is child-centered, building on their hobbies and interests while encouraging family participation. We meet each child exactly where they are to craft a unique treatment plan full of personalized, meaningful goals. Whether a child loves art, sports, music, games or imaginative play, our therapists use those interests to drive progress.
Key principles of our approach include:
- Purposeful play: Activities are selected to support therapeutic goals while remaining fun and engaging.
- Individualized care: Every therapy plan is tailored to the child’s age, abilities, medical needs and personal interests.
- Collaboration: Recreational therapists work closely with physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, psychologists, teachers and medical providers.
- Family involvement: Families are encouraged to participate and learn ways to support leisure and play at home and in the community.
Our goal is not only to support recovery, but to help children discover activities they can enjoy for a lifetime.
Who benefits from pediatric recreational therapy?
The Recreational Therapy Program at Mary Free Bed Kids supports children and adolescents with a wide range of conditions and needs, including:
- Neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy or brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Orthopedic injuries or post-surgical recovery
- Chronic illness or pain
- Developmental delays
- Emotional or behavioral challenges related to medical conditions
- Adjustment to disability or changes in function
- Extended hospital stays or intensive rehabilitation programs
Recreational therapy services are adapted to support children at various stages of recovery, from early rehabilitation to community reintegration.
Inpatient Recreational Therapy
For children receiving inpatient rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed Kids, recreational therapy is integrated into daily care. In the inpatient setting, therapists help children adjust to the hospital environment while continuing to engage in age-appropriate activities.
Inpatient recreational therapy may focus on:
- Coping with hospitalization
- Stress management
- Social interactions
- Building endurance and attention
- Encouraging participation in daily routines
- Supporting peer interaction with other patients
Activities are designed to complement other therapies and medical care while providing much-needed opportunities for play and enjoyment.
The Role of the Pediatric Recreational Therapist
Pediatric recreational therapists at Mary Free Bed Kids are certified professionals with specialized training in child development, therapeutic recreation and rehabilitation. They understand the science of play and how recreation can support healing and growth.
Their role includes:
- Assessing a child’s interests, strengths and needs
- Developing individualized recreational therapy plans
- Leading therapeutic activities and groups
- Collaborating with the interdisciplinary care team
- Educating families on leisure skills and adaptive recreation
- Supporting emotional well-being and coping
By building trusting relationships, recreational therapists create safe spaces where children feel encouraged to try new things and celebrate progress.
Supporting Emotional Health and Coping
Medical treatment and rehabilitation can be emotionally challenging for children. Recreational therapy provides opportunities for children to:
- Express feelings in creative ways
- Build coping strategies
- Experience success and accomplishment
- Reduce anxiety and stress
- Regain a sense of control
Through play and recreation, children can process experiences and build resilience. Play also helps children maintain a positive sense of self during recovery.
Family-Centered Care and Education
Families are an essential part of a child’s healing journey. Recreational therapists work closely with parents and caregivers to:
- Share strategies for encouraging play and leisure at home
- Identify adaptive activities the whole family can enjoy together
- Support confidence in community participation
- Provide education on the importance of recreation for long-term health
By empowering families, we help ensure that therapeutic benefits extend beyond inpatient rehabilitation or outpatient therapy.
Outcomes That Matter
The Recreational Therapy Program at Mary Free Bed Kids supports outcomes that go beyond physical recovery. These include:
- Increased confidence and self-esteem
- Improved social participation
- Better emotional regulation
- Greater independence in leisure activities
Our focus is on helping children return to being kids. We’ll help them play, build friendships and discover new activities.
Getting Started
Referrals and Access to Services
Recreational therapy services are typically included as part of an inpatient or day rehabilitation program. Referrals are coordinated through the child’s care team to ensure services align with overall treatment goals.
Families can expect:
- A personalized assessment of your child’s interests and needs
- Clear communication with the care team
- Activities designed to support both therapy goals and enjoyment
- Ongoing updates on progress and participation
A Place Where Kids can be Kids
At Mary Free Bed Kids, we believe healing happens best when children feel supported, understood and encouraged to be themselves. Recreational therapy helps children reconnect with the joy of play while a lifetime of skills.
If you’d like to learn more about the Mary Free Bed Kids Recreational Therapy Program, our team is here to help.
