Sioux Falls NICU Infants Celebrate Halloween in Style
Students crafted felt costumes to help families mark the holiday while their infants receive care in the NICU.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Babies
Sanford Health in Sioux Falls hosted a special Halloween celebration for patients in its neonatal intensive care unit. Students from Lincoln High School created custom felt costumes to help families celebrate the holiday while their infants were hospitalized.
Why it matters
The program provides a way for families to experience holiday milestones together despite the challenges of an intensive care stay. This annual effort by community students and hospital staff aims to offer a sense of normalcy during a stressful period of infant care.
This program is an annual hospital initiative involving hand-made medical-friendly designs for NICU patients. One infant participant, Maren, was born at 28 weeks gestation, highlighting the vulnerable population served by the event.
The players
Sanford Health
A major regional health system that provides pediatric and neonatal specialty care.
Lincoln High School
A Sioux Falls educational institution with a fashion design program that produces these costumes.
The details
Lincoln High School fashion design students construct the costumes using soft felt, selecting specific colors and hand-embroidering decorative elements. The designs are created to accommodate the delicate needs of hospitalized infants who may require monitoring equipment or specific positioning. By crafting these items locally, students contribute to an environment that acknowledges the personal milestones of families managing complex medical stays.
Timeline
October 31, 2026: The Halloween celebration took place for NICU patients.
Health Landscape
Modern neonatal care has evolved from purely clinical management to include family-centered models that address the psychological needs of parents. This initiative follows that trend by integrating community support to bridge the gap between hospital settings and traditional developmental milestones.
If you have a child currently in a neonatal unit, feel free to speak with the care team about existing programs that support family connection and celebration. These initiatives can provide a meaningful opportunity to engage in milestones while continuing to prioritize clinical stability.
The takeaway
Maintaining holiday traditions can support family mental health during long-term medical stays. Families facing similar experiences are encouraged to ask their neonatal care team about available support programs and community engagement efforts.
Further reading
For more information on infant development and care, visit the Babies section.
