Background: Addressing and preventing anxiety preoperatively is crucial in understanding the consequences of preoperative anxiety and preventing unwanted outcomes after surgery. Purpose: This study examined the effects of preoperative recreational activities on the level of anxiety in 2¬–7 year-old children during the perioperative period. Methodology: A quasi-experimental design was used. A convenience sample of 60 children between 2 and 7 years of age who were scheduled for day surgery was recruited. Thirty children were randomly assigned to the intervention group, and thirty to the control group. Participants in the intervention group received a developmentally appropriate toy to play with preoperatively. Participants in the control group received the preoperative standard care. Anxiety was measured using the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (modified YPAS) three times. Results: Children in the intervention group exhibiteda lower level of anxiety 15 minutes after the interve