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Since 1995, the professional hospital clown team at Boston Children’s Hospital has provided countless moments of joy, magic, and comfort to patients, families, and staff.

Men and women dressed as clowns pose for camera in hallway at Boston Children's

Who we are

We are The Laughter League of The Foundation for Laughter, supported by the generosity of the Boston Children’s Hospital League.

The Laughter League team at Boston Children’s is comprised of veteran variety artists with a wealth of performance backgrounds, including circus arts, theater, improvisation, magic, and music. Each team member brings their unique skills, experience, and sensitivity to the work of hospital clowning, allowing them to make meaningful, spontaneous connections that relieve stress, bring joy, and contribute to the overall care of patients and families. All performers are trained in hospital protocol, including hygiene, confidentiality, sensitivity, and child development.

What we do

Professional hospital clowns utilize humor and laughter to help our patient families with the healing process. The clowns of The Laughter League work with the Child Life Department and medical staff to identify patients in need of a laugh. The clowns are an integral part of the circle of care, providing distraction during procedures, encouraging kids to complete physical therapy tasks, to eat, to take medicine, and simply empowering them for a few moments during their hospitalization. The clowns prescribe important dosages of laughter and delight at times when the patients, their families, and even the hospital staff need it the most.

Laughter has been proven to help:

  • Relax muscles
  • Reduce stress hormones
  • Build the immune system
  • Reduce pain
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Help the heart and lungs work better
  • Provide healing moments of joy and delight
Men and women dressed as clowns pose for photo in stairwell

What we offer

Each weekday at Boston Children’s, you’ll find a dedicated pair of clowns on rounds. The clowns perform bedside on inpatient units, in intensive care units (ICUs), clinics, the Emergency Department, and waiting areas.

Each weekday, you’ll find a dedicated pair of clowns on rounds.For more information, visit: