Last Updated on March 29, 2025 by ellen
The thought of surgery can cause panic even in fully grown adults. Many little children are understandably scared of the idea of going to a hospital and having strange people conduct an operation. The fear of dentists is legitimate for several kids – imagine how scary an upcoming surgery can be!
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3 TV Shows to Prevent Kids From Panicking About an Upcoming Surgery
Regardless of how cautious we stay as parents, kids may occasionally need medical assistance. Congenital issues like tongue ties or heart problems often require surgery. Some kids undergo a surgical removal of tonsils and adenoids to resolve breathing and sleeping problems.
Multimedia-based solutions can help children cope with their anxieties about medical procedures. Some hospitals have been exploring soothing video games to prevent kids from getting worked up about wearing an anesthesia mask.
Here are three cartoons and television shows to help little ones place things in context and feel stronger.
1. Doc McStuffins
Welcome to the classic kids’ television show about doctors. Doc McStuffins tells the story of little Dottie, a girl who wants to become a doctor like her mama. She keeps her stuffed toys in ship-shape condition, helping them recover whenever they are down.
For example, Doc McStuffins has an episode called ‘Getting to the Heart of Things.’ When a plastic doll cracks her whistle valve, Dottie performs surgery to fix the problem. The doll is unsurprisingly anxious about the operation. However, our little doctor convinces her that she’ll go to sleep and wake up all fixed up. She also tells the doll that sometimes we have to do scary things that are best for us.
This television show is perfect for showing your child that surgery is completely normal and everyone goes through it when something is wrong. It also offers well-written, comforting storylines to explain anesthesia (in the show, the stethoscope puts toys to sleep).
Parents magazine observes that this program is also excellent for depicting positive role models to kids. Dottie’s mum’s a doctor and the primary breadwinner in the family. Her father stays at home more often and also cooks for the household.
You can watch this inspiring show with your children on Hulu or Disney Plus.
2. Operation Ouch!
The name might seem scary, but many people have experienced positive results after children watched this show before surgery.
Dr. Xand and Dr. Chris van Tulleken, two enthusiastic doctors, host this show in a super-entertaining format to explain various surgeries to kids. Many moms on Mumsnet feel that the show is educational but engaging and not patronizing. That’s impressive for a program made for kids.
Another bonus of this show is its excellent range. It covers everything from ear defenders for autistic children to bladder ultrasounds. There are even episodes of herd immunization and bacterial infections. Even without an impending surgery, kids can watch the show to learn about medical procedures. Learning about these subjects may pique your kids’ interest in the profession!
If you have older kids, they may have encountered news reports on how some surgeries have a higher risk of infection. For example, Bair Hugger, a surgical warming blanket manufactured by 3M, has been linked to deep joint infections. Many affected people have filed a Bair Hugger lawsuit to get compensation for the long-term treatments involved.
Operation Ouch episodes like “Germ Fighters” demonstrate how hospitals follow safety practices to avoid such complications. TruLaw notes that more hospitals now follow stricter sterilization and air quality rules. Moreover, learning about their immune system and good bacteria can reassure anxious children.
Most episodes of Operation Ouch! are available on Prime Video, BBC, and YouTube.
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3. Hospital-Themed Episodes of Favorite Shows
You can also try showing children hospital-related episodes of popular shows like Bluey and Peppa Pig. Watching their beloved characters deal with medical issues can normalize surgery for children, showing them it’s something others also experience.
For example, Bluey has an episode called “The Doctor.” It features discussions about hospitals and waiting rooms, letting kids view these settings as non-threatening. The show can be therapeutic for parents as well, who are likely much more stressed than the children!
Peppa Pig has a lovely episode called “The Hospital,” in which all the children visit Pedro Pony, who has had a leg accident. The episode shows the bright colors and rainbows in the children’s ward. Pedro’s friends write cheerful messages on his plaster cast. It is a happy, reassuring setting, showcasing to kids how hospitals can make things better.
Even Ben and Holly, another popular magical show for kids, has a “Little Kingdom Hospital.” Even elves and fairies sometimes need medical treatment for their boo-boos!
Most of these videos are on YouTube. You can also watch them on OTT platforms you subscribe to, like Netflix or Prime Video.
Technology and screen time often get a bad reputation for their addictive nature and socio-emotional impact on sensitive audiences. However, thanks to some thoughtful content creators, our kids can access comforting videos to feel better about a challenging life event. Once they develop a positive mindset, the scary bits about surgery won’t seem so daunting anymore.
Which shows or videos have you found helpful for comforting children before a hospital visit?
Ellen is a mom of a 25-year-old son and 30-year-old daughter. She is Grandma to one adorable toddler. In what little spare time she has, she loves to read, watch movies, and check out the latest toys and games.