Objective To analyse how therapeutic play structured in a nursing care model contributes to the care of hospitalised children. Method This is a qualitative study based on convergent care research (CCR). Seven children participated in the study. Data were collected in September and October of 2014 by means of interviews with open-end questions and participant observation of therapeutic and dramatic play sessions and/or instructional play sessions based on the stages "Welcoming/Playing/Concluding" of the nursing model Care with Play. Data were analysed according to the analysis and interpretation stages of the CCR. Results The following three categories emerged: Meanings attributed by the child to hospitalisation and its influence on nursing care; Perception of the therapeutic procedures through therapeutic play, and Importance of the family in care. Final considerations It is concluded that the application of therapeutic play structured in the care model contributes to systematic and specialised nursing care.