I’ve personally used syringes to paint with 4-6 year olds in the hospital and they always LOVE it! There’s just something so funny about paint squirting all over a poster board (and their bed & hospital gown). It definitely takes away that initial frightened look when they’re shown a syringe.
Source: http://franciscoquintanilla.wordpress.com/2010/03/11/i-found-a-source-of-syringe-tips-2/
Child life specialists help kids cope with hospitalization through the power of play & education. 