Aim: This study was conducted with the objective of ascertaining the effects of educational animation videos on the anxiety and worry levels of children who were scheduled to undergo tympanostomy tube placement. Methods: A total of 56 children aged between 6 and 12 years old participated in the randomized controlled experimental study (educational animation group n = 28, control group n = 28). Preoperative and postoperative data were collected using the Child Anxiety Scale-State and Child Fear Scale. Prior to the procedure, the educational animation group was shown an audiovisual video designed to be appropriate to their age and developmental level, while the control group received routine briefings. Results: In the post-operative period, the educational animation group exhibited significantly lower levels of anxiety and fear in comparison to the control group, as determined by assessments conducted by children, parents and nurses (p < 0.001). A positive correlation was identified between anxiety and fear levels, and reductions in preoperative anxiety significantly reduced postoperative fear levels. Conclusion: The utilisation of educational animation videos, meticulously designed for paediatric audiences, has been demonstrated to be an efficacious medium in the mitigation of anxiety and the augmentation of knowledge prior to surgical interventions. Implications of practice: It is recommended that audiovisual materials, employing a child-friendly approach, be integrated into paediatric nursing practices. Evidence suggests that nurses have the capacity to facilitate children's psychological adjustment and enhance the quality of pre-procedural care through the utilisation of animation content that is tailored to their age and developmental characteristics. (c) 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.