How do I prepare my child for an MRI?

An MRI uses a strong magnet and radio waves to create detailed pictures of organs, the brain, joints and soft tissue. There's no radiation and no pain, but the machine is a narrow tube, it thumps and buzzes loudly, and a scan can take 20 to 90 minutes. Younger children often need sedation to stay still; many kids over 6 can manage awake with preparation.

Key takeaways

• Describe the noises honestly: knocking, beeping, humming.
• Practice lying motionless for a few minutes at home.
• No metal: remove clips, jewelry and clothing with snaps or zippers.
• Ask about fasting rules if sedation or anesthesia is planned.

Explaining it simply

• "The MRI is a big camera shaped like a doughnut."
• "You lie on a bed that slides inside."
• "It's loud, so you'll wear earplugs or headphones."
• "It doesn't touch you or hurt."

Practice at home

Have your child lie on the floor under a table while you play loud tapping sounds. Time how long they can stay still and praise them.

On the day

• Wear clothes without metal, or change into a gown.
• A child life specialist may show a model scanner.
• Some centers offer goggles to watch a movie.
• A parent may be allowed to stay, after their own metal check.

Contrast dye

Some scans need gadolinium contrast through an IV. Numbing cream can make the needle easier.

Sedation

If sedation is used, follow fasting instructions. Your child will be monitored and may be sleepy afterward for a few hours.

Afterward

Results go to your doctor, often within a few days. Plan a calm activity and a favorite snack.

Scripts by age

Ages 2 to 4. Keep explanations short and concrete, the morning of the scan: "Today a big machine will take pictures of your tummy. You'll lie on a special bed and it'll be loud. I'll be with you."

Ages 5 to 8. Tell them a day or two ahead. Show photos of an MRI room online or from the hospital's family resources. Let them practice the "statue game," holding still while you count.

Ages 9 and up. Give the real reason for the scan and invite questions. Older kids may worry about results. Be honest that you'll learn more after the doctor reads the pictures.

What to bring

• A comfort item without metal parts: a soft toy or fleece blanket.
• A favorite playlist or movie, if the center allows headphones.
• Socks, since the room can be cool.
• A snack and drink for after (not before, if fasting).
• Any recent medical records or prior imaging reports.

Metal safety list

The magnet is always on, even when no scan is running. Before entering, staff will ask about:

• Implants, pumps, shunts or stimulators.
• Braces and retainers (most are safe but may distort pictures of the head).
• Hair ties with metal, barrettes and clip-on earrings.
• Clothes with metallic threads or glitter prints.
• Recent tattoos or metallic makeup.

Tell staff about anything you're unsure of.

What the noises sound like

A scan has several sequences, each lasting a few minutes. Sounds change between them: rapid knocking, a low buzz, a high beep. Some families find recordings of MRI sounds online and listen at home so the real thing feels familiar.

If your child moves

Small movements can blur images, and the technologist may repeat a sequence. That's normal and not a failure. Reassure your child afterward that they did their job by trying.

Anesthesia questions to ask

• Who will give the medicine and monitor breathing?
• Can I stay until my child falls asleep?
• How long until I can see them afterward?
• What should they eat and drink when they wake?

After the scan

If contrast was used, encourage fluids. A small bruise at the IV site can appear. Results usually go to the ordering doctor first; ask when and how you'll hear.

Siblings and the waiting room

If brothers or sisters come along, they usually can't enter the scanner room. Bring an activity bag for them and, if possible, another adult. Explain to siblings in simple words why the visit is happening so they don't imagine something worse than it is.

Before a scan or test, the hospital story book walks your child through the visit in an illustrated story made from one photo.

If a stay is coming: a story for before a stay

Sources

1. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), KidsHealth (Nemours), accessed November 4, 2026