Preparing Your Child for a Hospital Visit in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Having to go to the hospital for surgery, a test, or any medical procedure can feel overwhelming for both children and parents. In Grand Rapids, families may visit hospitals such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, or Mercy Health. Preparing your child with clear, age-appropriate information can greatly reduce fear and anxiety.

This guide offers practical tips for preparing a child for the hospital in Grand Rapids, MI, with local resources and suggestions tailored to West Michigan families.

Talking With Your Child About a Hospital Stay

Be Honest and Calm

Children often sense when something is being kept from them. Use:

  • Honest, truthful explanations
  • Neutral, calm language
  • Simple words instead of medical jargon

For example, instead of saying “operation” or “surgery,” you might say, “The doctor is going to fix the part of your body that isn’t working quite right.”

Avoid overly graphic details. Focus on what they will see, hear, and feel in a reassuring way.

Check Their Understanding

During your conversation:

  • Pause often and ask, “Does that make sense?” or “What questions do you have?”
  • Let your child repeat back what they heard, in their own words.
  • Correct misunderstandings gently and calmly.

Children in the Grand Rapids area may have already visited a doctor at a local clinic or urgent care. You can connect the hospital experience to something familiar: “It’s like when we went to the doctor at Metro Health, but this time we’ll stay a little longer so they can help you more.”

Using Play to Prepare Your Child

Play is one of the best tools for helping children understand new experiences, including a hospital stay.

Hospital Role-Play Ideas

You can try:

  • Wrapping a teddy bear or doll in bandages and pretending they are in the hospital
  • Pretending to give medicine to a stuffed animal
  • Playing “doctor” or “nurse” with toy stethoscopes or bandages

This kind of play helps your child:

  • Become more familiar with hospital-related items
  • Ask questions in a relaxed, playful setting
  • Feel more in control of what’s happening

Books and Videos About Going to the Hospital

Grand Rapids families can find age-appropriate books about hospitals at:

  • Grand Rapids Public Library branches
  • Kent District Library (KDL) locations throughout Kent County

Look for picture books about going to the hospital or visiting the doctor. Many local libraries also offer:

  • Digital books and audiobooks
  • Streaming videos and educational content

Some hospitals, especially Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, may have:

  • Child life specialists
  • Educational videos
  • Activity booklets explaining hospital visits for kids

Ask your child’s care team if there are any child-friendly hospital preparation resources available.

Letting Your Child Talk to Other Kids

If possible, help your child talk to:

  • A sibling, cousin, or friend who has had a positive hospital experience
  • A child they know who has been to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital or another local facility

Keep the conversation general. You don’t need to go into the details of your child’s specific procedure. The goal is to show that:

  • Other kids have gone to the hospital
  • They were cared for and supported
  • They were able to come home again

What to Tell Your Child About the Hospital

Focus on:

  • Why they are going: “The doctors in Grand Rapids are going to help your body feel better.”
  • What will happen first: checking in, meeting nurses, maybe changing into special pajamas
  • Who will be there: doctors, nurses, and family members
  • What they might feel: “You might feel sleepy,” “Your arm might feel a little sore where they put a band,” etc.

Encourage your child to:

  • Share any worries or fears
  • Ask questions freely
  • Tell you what they are imagining or worried about

Answer with simple, familiar language and be truthful, even if the answer is, “I’m not sure, but we can ask the doctor at the hospital.”

When to Talk to Your Child About Going to the Hospital

The timing of your conversation depends on your child’s age and ability to understand time.

Toddlers (1–3 years)

  • Talk with them the day before or the day of the hospital visit.
  • Toddlers don’t fully understand time, so talking too early may cause more worry.
  • Keep it very simple:
    “We’re going to see the doctor in Grand Rapids. They’re going to help you feel better. I’ll be with you.”

Preschool-Aged Children (3–5 years)

  • Start talking 1–2 days before their hospital admission.
  • Use play and stories to help them explore the idea of going to the hospital.
  • Let them “practice” with dolls, toys, or picture books.

School-Aged Children (6–12 years)

  • Talk with them about a week before the visit, if possible.
  • They understand more and may need time to:
    • Ask questions
    • Develop coping strategies (like bringing a favorite toy or learning breathing exercises)
  • Offer more details, such as what the room might look like or who will visit.

Teenagers (13+ years)

  • Discuss the hospital stay several weeks before the visit, if possible.
  • Teens often want:
    • Detailed information about their procedure
    • A chance to talk directly with their doctor or surgeon
    • Input on decisions about their care

Encourage them to write down questions to ask their Grand Rapids specialist, such as a surgeon at Spectrum Health or Trinity Health.

What to Pack for a Hospital Stay in Grand Rapids

What your child brings will depend on their age and how long they’ll stay. Most Grand Rapids hospitals allow you to bring comfort items from home. Always check your hospital’s specific guidelines.

Comfort and Personal Items

Consider packing:

  • Favorite comfort item
    • A doll, stuffed animal, blanket, or pillow
  • Photos of family members and pets
    • Printed photos or a small photo book
  • Favorite activities
    • A favorite book, coloring book, puzzle, or small toy
    • A new game, book, or activity can make the stay feel special

Clothing and Toiletries

Pack:

  • Comfortable pajamas or sleepwear
  • A toothbrush and toothpaste
  • A hairbrush or comb
  • Slippers or non-slip socks

In colder months—especially during West Michigan’s long, snowy winters—also bring:

  • A warm hoodie or sweater for trips to and from the hospital
  • A hat and gloves if you’ll be walking from parking ramps or lots

Visiting the Hospital Before the Stay

Getting familiar with the hospital can help reduce anxiety for both you and your child.

Ask for a Hospital Tour

Call your child’s hospital in Grand Rapids and ask if they offer:

  • Formal tours of the pediatric units
  • Meetings with child life specialists
  • Orientation visits for children before surgery or procedures

Many children’s services at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and other local facilities are designed to be:

  • Bright and colorful
  • Child-friendly
  • Less intimidating

Explore Public Areas Together

If a formal tour isn’t available, you can:

  • Walk through the main lobby and public hallways
  • Visit the hospital café for a snack
  • Show your child:
    • Where you will walk in
    • Elevators and waiting areas
    • Any play spaces or kid-friendly art displays

This helps your child feel like the hospital is a place they’ve already seen—not somewhere completely unknown.

When a Parent or Family Member Has to Go to the Hospital

Sometimes, it’s not the child but a parent, grandparent, or sibling who needs hospital care. Children in Grand Rapids may have never experienced a family member being hospitalized, and they may imagine the worst.

How to Talk About Your Own Hospital Stay

Use simple, positive language:

  • “I’m going to the hospital in Grand Rapids so the doctors can help me feel better.”
  • “The doctors and nurses will take good care of me.”
  • “You’ll be able to visit/call/video chat with me.”

Be honest about:

  • Whether you might look different (for example, having an IV or bandages)
  • How long you might be in the hospital
  • Who will take care of them at home (another parent, grandparent, or friend)

Reassure them that:

  • They did nothing to cause the illness or hospitalization.
  • They will be cared for while you are away.
  • The hospital is a place that helps people heal.

Local Grand Rapids Resources for Families

Families in West Michigan have access to several helpful resources when preparing a child for a hospital visit:

  • Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
    Offers pediatric specialists, child life services, and family support programs.
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids and Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    Provide pediatric care, surgical services, and family education.
  • Mercy Health clinics and hospitals
    Offer a range of family and pediatric services across the region.
  • Kent County Health Department
    Provides community health information, vaccination clinics, and family health programs.
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and local clinics
    Can answer general health questions and connect you with local services.

You can also talk to:

  • Your child’s pediatrician
  • Your family doctor
  • Your child’s surgeon or specialist

Ask them:

  • What your child can expect before, during, and after the hospital stay
  • Whether there are printed guides, videos, or classes to help children prepare
  • How pain will be managed and how you can support your child’s recovery at home

When to Seek Extra Support

If your child:

  • Seems very anxious or withdrawn
  • Has trouble sleeping or eating
  • Shows extreme fear about the hospital

consider asking for:

  • A referral to a child psychologist or counselor in Grand Rapids
  • A visit with a child life specialist at the hospital
  • Guidance from your pediatrician or family doctor

These professionals can offer coping strategies tailored to your child’s age and needs.

Preparing a child for a hospital visit in Grand Rapids, MI involves honest conversations, age-appropriate explanations, and thoughtful planning. By using local resources, visiting the hospital ahead of time, and packing familiar comfort items, you can help your child feel safer, more confident, and better supported throughout their hospital experience.