Nearly 1,000 children and their chaperones from the community filled the campus lawn during the 33rd annual Children’s Day, presented by Farmer Boys, at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital (LLUCH) Wednesday, May 9. 

The free event, designed for children ages 3-8, was attended by children from at least 10 schools and day cares in the Inland Empire. Since 1985, Children’s Day has been providing hands-on learning activities to give children non-threatening exposure to a hospital setting.

Organized by LLUCH’s child life department, the event offered various booths designed just for children, including: 

•       Teddy bear clinic: children were encouraged to bring their own doll or teddy bear for a “check-up.”

•       Stitch station: children learned about having stitches. They were given an opportunity to be the “doctor” placing the stitches on a paper person.

•       Pretend finger casting: provided by Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital child life department.

•       Fire safety: provided by the department of environmental health and safety, children learned how to  extinguish a fire using water and “fire” balloons.

•       LLU School of Dentistry provided tips and demonstrations on dental health.

•       LLU School of Pharmacy provided a medication safety booth.

•       LLUCH pediatric transport team shared the lifesaving measures used to transport babies and children to and from the hospital.

•       Sports injury awareness, and automobile and car seat safety with Safe Children.

•       Dr. Hayes’ venomous creatures: Dr. Bill Hayes held a show and tell session with his array of creatures, including rattlesnakes, lizards, scorpions and more.