DIY Doctor's Kit for Pretend Play

I'm sitting in the doctor's office at the base hospital getting blood drawn, and the wonderful nurse there decides to occupy my 2 year old by wrapping his little arms with neon green ace bandages and giving him a stress ball to toss around. Most "sane" parents would think "Oh, how fun", but what does my crazy mind go to... "What a cute idea for a party". 

 

     So... I immediately started collecting supplies to make him a doctor/nurse's kit to play with at home, complete with band aids, cotton balls, and stickers for good patients. The kit I compiled is just for everyday fun, but could easily be taken a step further and used for a Vet, Doctor, or Doc McStuffins® party.

    Let the kiddos "adopt" a stuffed cat or dog when they arrive. Each child could receive a certificate of ownership, where they can name their pet. Then they can head to a craft table to make a collar for their new cat/dog using card stock or foam paper, stickers, and markers. Stations could be set up for each animal to be weighed, measured, and "bathed". Then each child can take home their very own Vet kit like the ones pictured here. These kits are the deluxe version, but can easily be scaled down to fit any budget.

This is what I included:

- Stuffed animal (from the Dollar Tree)

- Cotton balls & Gauze (packaged in empty toothpick holders)

- Neon Ace bandage

- Tongue compressors (large popsicle sticks)

- Medicine bottles (empty travel shampoo bottles)

- Stress ball

- Mini notebook

- Band Aids

- Dog and cat stickers

- Suckers

- Magnifying glass (.98 cents at Wal-mart)

* Please keep your child's age in mind when making your Doctor's Kit.  My oldest is two so anything small that could be a choking hazard was put aside until he's a little older. 

Find a FREE printable to make your own kit here.