Zac Efron made Christmas come early for some young patients at a Los Angeles hospital - he delighted children by visiting their ward with some festive gifts.

The High School Musical star went along to the Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA on Friday to play Santa Claus by giving away $10,000 worth of toys. The kids were ecstatic at their surprise guest, who toured the wards for two hours, giving out presents including art sets, board games and High School Musical products, signing autographs and posing for pictures with staff.

A source tells Usmagazine.com, "He really spent time bonding with each of the children and their families. The kids were smitten and beaming from ear to ear. Some of the kids couldn't even speak, but they had the widest grins and would sit as close to him as possible. Zac was super gracious and could not have been more kind and truly happy to be there."

Slideshow: Zac Efron & Vanessa Hudgens - Good Or Bad Couple?

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)