LEGO’s MRI Scanner set has been used more than a million times around the world, and new findings show it’s making a real difference for children facing medical scans.
According to a report published on LEGO’s official website, 96% of healthcare professionals say the miniature MRI set helps reduce children’s anxiety before procedures. Nearly half of those surveyed also noted a drop in the number of cases requiring sedation or anesthesia.
Developed as a donation-only project, the LEGO MRI Scanner includes a moveable scanner, bed, and minifigure medical staff. Hospitals use it to show young patients how MRI machines work, allowing them to act out the process through play before experiencing the real thing.
LEGO MRI scanner help reduce stress in hospitals
The project began in 2023 and has since seen over 10,000 sets donated to hospitals worldwide. Data from more than 430 professionals across 13 countries found that 95% believe the model improves families’ overall hospital experience.
At Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark, staff reported that some children who previously needed anesthesia now undergo scans while awake, saving time and reducing medical risks. Similar stories have emerged from hospitals in the United States and the UK, where staff said the model changes the atmosphere the moment it’s introduced.
“Usually, when we walk in with the LEGO MRI scanner set, the faces on the kids light up. They can’t wait to touch and play with it. The entire mood in the room gets brighter as soon as we walk in. Even anxious parents – you can see their shoulders drop,” said Traci Aoki-Tan, a Child Life Specialist at Kaiser Permanente Roseville.
While the LEGO MRI Scanner isn’t sold commercially, it continues to reach hospitals through global partnerships with organizations such as Fairy Bricks, the Starlight Children’s Foundation, and United Way.
The project is part of LEGO’s growing focus on health and wellness, showing how simple play can make a lasting difference far beyond the toy aisle.
