Home > Our Services > Sibling Support (Children's Clubhouse)

Additional Information

A Unique Place Just for Them
At Nationwide Children's Hospital, we know that it's not just children with illnesses or injuries that need the special attention and expert care we provide. Their brothers and sisters need nurturing, too. That's why we started the Children's Clubhouse, a special place for pre-school and school-aged children to visit, play and learn while their siblings are in the hospital. Over long hospital stays and numerous doctors' visits, the Clubhouse can help relieve your children’s stress and anxiety. Not to mention your own. Learn more about the Clubhouse by downloading our brochure.

Specialized Care for Specialized Needs
The brothers and sisters of sick and injured children may feel many different emotions. Feelings range from anxiety, guilt, anger, jealousy and embarrassment, to loneliness, worry, grief, sadness and resentment. Kids express these feelings in different ways.

Children's Clubhouse offers a safe and supportive environment for kids to make sense of their feelings. Our staff of professional child life specialists and highly trained volunteers will keep your children busy with fun activities that also help them cope with their emotions.

Stop by for a Visit
The Clubhouse is a free service provided to our patients' families. Siblings of children receiving inpatient or outpatient services at Children's are invited to visit the Clubhouse. It's located on the first floor of the hospital near the main tower entrance at 700 Children's Drive, and our hours are from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, excluding holidays. Children are welcome to stay up to an hour and half at a time.

The Clubhouse Rules

• You must sign in your child at the Clubhouse upon arrival and complete a brief health checklist.
• You'll get a Clubhouse pager to communicate with our staff and to ensure that your child is safely reunited with you.
• You must remain on Children's Hospital campus while your children are in the Clubhouse.
• You'll need to pick up your children for breaks and meals, and children may return to the Clubhouse after breaks.
• No food or drink is available in the Clubhouse.
• The Clubhouse can hold a maximum of 25 children at a time.
• If the Clubhouse is full, families are encouraged to return with their children as space opens up throughout the day.

Sorry – reservations aren't accepted.

Children's Clubhouse places a priority on providing quality services for our patients' siblings because at Children's, we believe care doesn't stop with the patient. It extends to the entire family. To find out more about Children's Clubhouse or other family-centered programs, please call (614) 722-KIDS.

Department Highlights

Healing Treasures targets the specific needs of sibling grief

Healing Treasures is a six-week family centered program to help brothers and sisters who have experienced the death of a sibling. Nationwide Children's has the only program in Columbus targeting the specific needs of sibling grief. Learn more.

Volunteering at Nationwide Children's

If you would like information on how to become a volunteer for the Clubhouse, or any other part of the hospital, please visit our Volunteering section at Nationwide Children's website.