Boston Mamas: Doctor In the House

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Doctor In the House

Laurel recently has shown an interest in healing, both via Western (doctor kits) and alterative (shamanic maraca shaking) practices. After hunting around online, I was really happy to find the basic (i.e., not a million tiny parts), inexpensive Fisher Price Medical Kit. The set includes interactive pieces (thermometer, syringe, blood pressure cuff, and a stethoscope that actually works against the skin), as well as an otoscope and bracelet style bandage. Also included is a soft tote, which is nice so you can add other tools - such as a shamanic maraca - easily (a common complaint of kits with hard cases is that it's tough fitting all the pieces back in), and the set is compact for travel.

We generally favor wooden over plastic toys and also considered the Haba Doctor’s Suitcase, but it’s missing the all important stethoscope, which Laurel really digs.

Posted by Christine Koh on 30 May 2007 | Permalink | Comments (3) | Filed in Art Supplies & Toys

Comments

We have this exact same medical kit, and my daughter (turned 3 this weekend) LOVES it. All the role playing with this Dr kit made the 3-year well-visit to the pediatrician a piece of cake.

Posted by: Karen Lilla | May 30, 2007 3:11 PM | Reply to this comment

We have the fisher price doctor kit, too (awesome for treating faux "feebers"), but ours is an older version and in a hard case, so I completely second the motion to get a soft carrying case. Our boys have an oxygen saturation cord (given lovingly by the nurses when #1 was in ER for allergies), which has to be tied around the handle...not so good.
But, I checked out the Haba version (because we prefer wood over plastic, too), and was surprised to see the little wooden pills...it struck me as a bit risky.

Posted by: tracyp | May 31, 2007 7:59 AM | Reply to this comment

Yep, the Haba case - with it's little wooden pills - is definitely suited to little ones beyond the stuff-everything-in-the-mouth phase. It's listed as appropriate for 3+, which seems an appropriate mark, although if you have a preschooler with an oral fixation, better to supervise play or stow the pills for later use.

Posted by: Christine | May 31, 2007 8:09 AM | Reply to this comment

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