LEGO Group Empowers Children to Step Into MRI Scans with Confidence and Courage

Over one million children around the world have used the LEGO Group's MRI Scanner set, helping transform a potentially stressful medical procedure through a playful, hands-on learning experience.

The set, which features a scanner, patient bed, waiting room, scanning room, staff minifigures and medical accessories, was designed by the LEGO Group and the LEGO Foundation to help children understand MRI procedures by learning through play. MRI scans are frequently used in paediatric care because they do not use radiation. But for many children, the experience can be overwhelming, requiring them to lie still in a large, noisy machine for extended periods. As a result, sedation or general anaesthesia is often used.

New research conducted by the LEGO Group revealed that 96% of healthcare professionals globally who used the LEGO MRI Scanner set say the model helps alleviate children’s anxiety, and 46% report that it has reduced the need for sedation or anaesthesia during MRI procedures.

Since 2023, more than 10,000 LEGO MRI Scanner sets have been donated to hospitals and health professionals around the world as part of the LEGO Group’s commitment to unlocking the power of play for children, especially those who may need it most.

From Scan to Smiles

Through role play and storytelling, the LEGO MRI Scanner allows hospital staff to offer a more child-centred, playful approach when they prepare a child for a scan. The research also showed that 95% of healthcare professionals using the set say it improves the family’s hospital experience, while 94% find it fun and engaging for children.

The LEGO Group has gathered testimonials from children, parents, and healthcare professionals around the world, including five-year-old Ivy from Edinburgh, Scotland. At the age of two, Ivy began having prolonged seizures. After being put to sleep for her first MRI scan, her family and hospital team wanted to try her second scan at age four awake. Ivy was referred to the procedural anxiety team at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh, UK, where she was first introduced to the LEGO MRI Scanner model.

Speaking about their recent experience, Ivy’s mum Rachel said, "On the day of her second scan Ivy did really well and was even a bit excited! If we hadn't played with the LEGO MRI model beforehand, I think she would have had a full meltdown and would no doubt have needed general anaesthetic. Nobody wants their child to be put to sleep if you can avoid it.

“Ivy is a visual learner and loves LEGO bricks, so seeing and explaining the procedure through play was a game changer. It really helped her to understand what to expect, took away any nerves and made things go plain sailing. Coming into hospital can be a stressful experience, but playing with this model made our whole family feel more relaxed, calm and prepared."

Ivy added, “I liked playing with the LEGO toy. It made me feel relaxed. I didn't like the loud noises in the real machine. But I knew what was happening. I wasn't scared. I was brave."

Emily Stone, senior play specialist at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), said, "The Play Team at GOSH use the LEGO MRIs across the hospital and have found them to be a brilliant way to build rapport quickly with a child, and help them prepare for what comes next. Everyone knows and loves LEGO bricks, so when I walk into a child's room with it, it instantly makes them feel at ease. MRIs can be anxiety-inducing, and it's so helpful to be able to show children exactly what will happen and give them an 'inside look' into how an MRI works, as well as giving us an opportunity to describe the noise, which can often be one of the most intimidating parts of having this procedure. We're so grateful to the LEGO Group for donating these to us, and look forward to continuing to use them with our patients to make what can be a stressful and worrying time, that little bit easier."

Andrea, operations support manager at InHealth in the Frimley Hospital MRI unit, said:,“Having previously worked with children as a qualified NNEB for more than 10 years, I’ve seen the proof in the power of play and what can be achieved when it’s done well. Since we received the wonderful gift of the LEGO MRI scanner model, we have been able to help numerous patients both young and old - one young patient specifically springs to mind in how LEGO bricks and play is so impactful.

The team engaged with a girl recently but was unsuccessful when trying to scan her as she became upset and scared, she ended up in tears, which nobody wants to see, and she did not want to proceed. I brought her away from the scanner, engaged with her at her level and got out the LEGO model and we just played. I explained every part of the process.

We played for almost an hour, and during this process asked her if she would like to see our other scanner which was bigger. I didn’t leave her side, she agreed but I could tell she wasn’t ready to try having the scan again at this point. I arranged with her parents for them to bring her back for the appointment to try again and if we weren’t successful after the second attempt, we may need to go down an alternative route. On the return trip, we played with the LEGO model again and through our play she told her mum what she remembered would happen in each area, even pointing out the hair on the stand laughing.

Although still a little apprehensive she went inside the scanner and was scanned successfully without any issues. The whole team throughout her journey gave lots of praise and encouragement clapped when she came out as well as high fives all round, they presented her with a certificate of bravery which she wouldn’t let go of. We asked if she would like to have a photo with the LEGO model which she enthusiastically wanted to do, even telling us where she wanted to stand but wouldn’t hold it as that meant having to put her certificate down. I truly believe that the LEGO model was instrumental in gaining this young patient’s trust and putting her at ease.”

The sets are not available for sale and are instead donated to hospitals through the LEGO Group’s Social Responsibility team’s partners across the globe including Fairy Bricks, Starlight Children's Foundation, United Way and Ai You. The programme supports the LEGO Group’s broader ambition to ensure more children can access the benefits of learning through play, including in clinical settings.

To learn more about the LEGO MRI scanner, please visit the website here.