Preschoolers will learn so much from this doctor pretend play activity.
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My four-year old son has recently become rather obsessed with adding bandages to himself – some for minor scrapes and scratches, some for non-existent injuries. I thought I would make this play more constructive by buying him a proper doctor’s kit. After reading around I decided on this one from Fisher Price – good price, good contents, and the only thing reviewers consistently didn’t like was a cheap doctor’s bag.
The bag didn’t bother my son at ALL! He rushed to get changed into his “doctor shirt” and immediately investigated all the items. The kit contains stethoscope (that works!), otoscope, thermometer, syringe, bandage and blood pressure cuff. Several of these items have moving parts which really engaged him.
To help him get used to all the new equipment I designed a super simple doctor’s checklist. It’s nothing complicated but was all he needed to start off. If you’d like a copy you can download it free from the Craftulate Shop.
F *loved* testing out the medical kit on anyone he could find! I was particularly impressed that he went and grabbed a craft stick from our craft supplies to use as a tongue depressor!
At one point he said he wanted a doctor’s office, so we brought in a play tent. He decided to use toy animals as patients so that he could play doctor in the tent with them. He really got into his doctor role, saying things like “you might feel a pinch” when giving an injection, and setting up a waiting room. He also let the teddy bear try out the stethoscope so that the bear “wouldn’t be scared”!
Remember to pick up your FREE printable from the Craftulate Shop!
Here’s some great resources for doctor pretend play:
- 35 downloadable pages from Pre-K Pages – everything you’ll need to recreate a doctor’s office
- Doctor Role Play Activities from Science Sparks
- Daniel Tiger Visits the Doctor – book from Amazon
- Doctor and Nurse Books from Preschool Toolbox
- DIY Doctor Costume from Kids Creative Chaos
- Melissa & Dough Doctor Costume Set – from Amazon
- Doctor Pretend Play Kit from Professor Poppins
- The Berenstain Bears Go To The Doctor – book from Amazon
This post is part of the Dramatic Play A-Z series, hosted by Happy Brown House. Check out A-C and look out for E-Z over the next few weeks from my co-hosts!
Looks like a lot of fun! Love that he let the bear use the stethoscope so he won’t be scared. How cute!
I know! I love this stage he’s at!
Great idea! Play is a beautiful thing!