Play Invitation: Doctor Set Up

In need of some play inspiration? Our Friend Kristen Dickson is sharing a stunning imaginative doctor play invitation that she created for her daughter, Rose! When children try on a role, such doctor or patient, they must take on the perspective of who they are pretending to be, which helps them to make sense of relationships and experiences that might be new or scary. Play offers children the time to wrestle with concepts and feelings that they may not fully understand, like feeling fearful about going to the doctor or being a caretaker.

We recently came across a vintage copy of Doctor Dan the Bandage Man, a super charming golden book from the 50s about a little boy who discovers the healing power of bandaids. The book actually includes two real bandaids! Random House clearly knew the way into children's hearts early on. 

We received our Moulin Roty doctor kit from Rose and Rex ages ago and it’s one of our most beloved toys; my daughters Jane and Rose play with it pretty much every day. After reading Doctor Dan, they begged me to stock up on new bandaids for them to use with their Hazel Village dolls (and each other, and maybe the dog) so I thought it would be fun to put together a full-scale doctor setup for them one afternoon, complete with a waiting room and a few nurses’ caps.

Keep reading for pictures and details!

I recently thrifted this little bench and thought it made for the perfect waiting room.

Those cream cafeteria trays are another vintage find; I used them to lay out all the tools from the doctor kit. 

Fern is laying on a roll of paper from Target’s dollar section, and I set up a few of our Ikea doll beds in case they wanted to play hospital too.

A little hard to see, but they weighed their dolls on a scale made from that little rainbow abacus and the stool below.

Listening to Nell’s heart.

Cute Doctor Rose.

This is around the time she discovered the new boxes of bandaids. I let her use as many as she wanted and it was basically the best moment of her life.

Nell, good as new.

Shop the Post: 

1.) Hazel Village Organic Nell Doll in Tea Party Dress, $50

2.) Moulin Roty Wooden Doctor Kit, $40