So your kid wants a doctor play set. Whether its for Christmas or their birthday, who wouldn't love their own kids doctor kit with real working tools?
I made this toy doctor kit for my son for Christmas six years ago now and we somehow miraculously still have most of the pieces. That's one of the great things about making your own doctor play set -- real stuff is durable and will be able to last long enough to be handed down.
Why make your own toy doctor kit?
The Christmas that my son was two, he said he only wanted Santa to bring him one thing for Christmas: "A doctor kit with a stethoscope." I'm not even kidding. Whose two year old asks for something that sophisticated?
Since he really only asked for one thing, I wanted to get him one.
The problem? Most kids doctor kits are $20-$30 and full of little plastic do-dads. And none of them do anything.
I have major hang ups about paying $30 for a small collection of junky plastic do-dads. He also specifically asked for a doctor kit with a stethoscope in it -- and I knew if it didn't work, he was going to be pretty disappointed.
So I did what any crafty mom would do: I decided to assemble my own kids doctor kit with as many (safe for toddlers) working things as possible. If you have your own budding doctor at home, they will love having a doctor play set with parts that actually do things.
The best part is that by assembling my own doctor play set, I ended up with a way cooler doctor kit than I would have if I had bought a kids doctor kit full of junk - but for the same price!
Kids Doctor Kit Supplies
The doctor play set I put together consisted of these things (links below are referral links)
- Personalized doctor bag (Made myself from an old purse. See below)
- Stethoscope (this one: Prestige Medical Dualheads, Frosted Royal
)
- Knee hammer (this one: Taylor Percussion Hammer
)
- Light scope (the original one I purchased is no longer available. This one would be great if your kid it past the point of putting things in his mouth)
- Metal baindaid box (this one: Hello Kitty Bandages
)
- Ace bandage (check these out)
- Self-stick medical "tape" (like this stuff)
- Box of bandages (these are inexpensive)
- Prescription bottle (on hand)
Total Spent: $30
So I did not actually save money over buying a toy doctor kit from the store, BUT I got stuff that is way cooler for the same price I'd have paid for a box of useless shaped plastic pieces. Considering that this kit has survived six years and two different kids, I'd say it was worth it!
How I Made the Doctor Bag for My Doctor Play Set
It did create a smidge of heartbreak to turn my fave sentimental purse into a kids toy but the honest truth is that I have not actually used the purse since maybe, oh, 2005 (the layer of dust I had to clean off of it will attest to that, ahem) and chances that I will be using such a small purse any time in the future is slim. It also had the best shape for a doctor bag of any of my old purses.
This is what it used to look like:
I made a patch to cover the C on the front with a large white circle of felt, a red cotton cross that was appliqued on, and "Dr. Bonham" written in fabric paint. Once the patch was made (and the paint was dry), I used Aleene's Original Tacky Glue
to glue it to the purse. I chose this glue because it is flexible and can move with the bag
to glue it to the purse. I chose this glue because it is flexible and can move with the bag
What to put inside the kids doctor kit:
Below are the items I bought to fill the play doctor kit (you can click the image to go directly to the item for sale on Amazon). We already had the medicine bottle at home.
While I didn't end up including this in the kit I made for my son, I also think this doctor dress up set with kid sized scrubs and a lab coat would be an awesome addition to this doctor kit. Check it out here on Amazon.
My son LOVED this kit. He was particularly enamored with the bandaids - everyone including one of our fluffy dogs has fallen victim to "Dr. Bonham's" attempt at nursing them back to health with the power of kisses and bandaids. It has also become common to have to explain to grandparents, babysitters, store clerks, etc that my child isn't really injured. He just likes bandaids.
About the Author:
Carissa Bonham is a lifelong crafter and mom of two creative boys. The owner and lead writer at Creative Green Living, she won the Craftys Award for the "Best Craft Blogger" category in 2016 and the ShiftCon award for "Best DIY Blogger" in 2018.
Her creative pursuits don't stop at crafts - she is also the author of the hardcover cookbook, Beautiful Smoothie Bowls (Skyhorse, 2017) and several ebooks. Her projects have been featured in magazines like Kids Crafts 1-2-3, Capper's Farmer and Urban Farm Magazine. Follow her on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter or join the Creative Green Living community group.
Her creative pursuits don't stop at crafts - she is also the author of the hardcover cookbook, Beautiful Smoothie Bowls (Skyhorse, 2017) and several ebooks. Her projects have been featured in magazines like Kids Crafts 1-2-3, Capper's Farmer and Urban Farm Magazine. Follow her on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter or join the Creative Green Living community group.
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Thank you so much!!! I was feeling frustrated looking at plastic-y dr kits on line for my daughter's 3rd birthday. Thanks to your great idea and great pictures/resources, I'm almost done creating hers on my own!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!!! My 3 year old daughter wants a dr kit for her birthday, but I was getting so frustrated looking at the crappy plastic ones. This is a wonderful idea! Thanks to your idea/resources, I'm well on my way to making my own for her.
ReplyDeleteMy grandson still has almost all of his Fisher Price Dr. kit left. He's 4 and was playing with grandpa. They were having lots of fun but I saw the limitations of the kit so I thought I'd enhance it with a few extras, like a real stethoscope. Looking on Pinterest I found this link for x-rays from Net Places, http://www.netplaces.com/kids-mummies-pharaohs-pyramids-puzzles-activities/high-tech-meets-the-mummy/close-encounters.htm. You can get a customized eye chart and novelty prescription here http://www.eyechartmaker.com/. This person has an idea for a pretend cast, http://www.sewcando.com/2010/03/doctor-is-in-felt-play-set.html. Don't forget their ID badge too. I'm also making some felt & velcro bandages for the stuffed patients. You might be able to come up with a white "Dr's coat" also. You can check the thrift & charity stores for something you could alter to fit. I'm sure there are other items that I can find. I'm going to look on Pinterest for more ideas too. I can't wait for my grandson to come back. He was so serious and precise in how he took care of his patient. I'm going to remember the camera next time.
ReplyDeleteThese are great ideas! My grandson isn't quite old enough yet but by next summer or fall he will be the perfect age! I think my favorite picture is the one of the dr. and patient with the bandages!
ReplyDeleteWhat a clever idea to turn an old purse into a DIY doctor's kit:) My doc actually recommended giving my little one a doctor’s kit to help her anxiety at the doctor’s office. This seems like a great DIY option (wish I had seen it before going for a pre-packaged toy kit). More on that, and a link to this creative idea, in a hint today on my new site of daily hints to help make parenting easier & cheaper: http://hintmama.com/2013/12/20/todays-hint-how-to-make-your-little-one-like-the-doctor-a-little-bit-more/ - See more at: http://mypoppet.com.au/2012/06/how-to-diy-doctor-play-set.html#comment-157356
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the pictures of your little one with his Dad. My granddaughter is always pretending she's giving people a "shot", so I was trying to find a doctor's kit for her for Christmas...but you're right..,they're all plastic junk. This idea is so much better. Thanks for posting it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment! I think kids really love lots that include as many “real” things as possible - you could definitely pick up a horse syringe (so, big and easy for little hands to use) without a needle at a local feed or farm store along with lots of other things.
DeleteMy kids have been playing with this doctor kit for 8 years now and they still love it!