Gearhead Mom

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Is There a Doctor In the House?

Posted by Missy W. @ 9:49 AM

Sy’s pal Max just turned three and she was thrilled to go over and take all his new toys for a test drive. First up: the Doctor’s Suitcase from Haba. I’ve wanted to see this toy in person since I mentioned it back in December.

Sy was drawn to it like a moth to a flame. She loves all doctor’s kits, which I find amusing since she loathes going to the doctor with all her heart. We have this little fabric one I found at Cost Plus World Market that she likes just fine, but I could tell she felt like this one was the real deal. I sat down with Sy and Max and was immediately given shot after shot, wrapped in a yellow bandage and covered in band aids.

The little suitcase is quite small: L 2.5 x H 5.0 x W 7.0 in. Even though it says that right on the site, I was quite surprised at just how wee it is. Kids are wee, so I guess it’s size appropriate. It’s also very hard for the kids to open by themselves (and Max is one strong little kid). I think like all metal lunchboxes, it just needs some time to loosen up. I could get the clasp off easily enough but then I had to pry the box itself open. They definitely could not do it themselves. Once you get the damn box open, there are many cool treasures awaiting you: 1 prescription pad, 1 pencil, 1 tongue depressor, 1 wooden syringe, 1 little tube with wood tablets, 1 tube of ointment, 1 spoon, 1 wood thermometer, 4 band aids, 1 elastic bandage and one medicine jar. There is no stethoscope or blood pressure monitor in this kit, so if those are your kid’s favorite parts, look elsewhere.

By the time we came over to play, Max had played with this toy for about a week. His mom, Andie, had already removed the three pills from the tube (so small, so green and so tempting) which is good since Max quite enjoys eating slugs, rabbit poop or anything else small and off limits. He’s also quite adept at shoving round objects up his nose, so I would have done the same thing. Sy has never been much of a put-the-toy-in-mouth kind of kid but I think even she might be tempted by these little tablets. The little metal grabber part on the yellow bandage had already come off as well. I’m assuming Max decided to see if it came off voluntarily or not. The four little red band aids are the real deal, quite sticky, too. If you get this toy and the kids know to expect some band aids in it, do yourself a favor and go get four boxes of band aids to supplement. Four band aids in a free zone lasts about four seconds in our house. Currently, all of Sy’s model horses are covered with Backyardigans bandages. The tongue depresser is a real popsicle stick and was constantly shoved in Max’s mouth and then offered up to me. No thanks! Kids are cute and all, but I look at them as highly mobile germ factories. The medicine jar is glass and comes with a real cork top. Again, if your kid loves to eat like a goat, I’d take the cork top away. But it comes with this cool little wooden spoon and Sy got such a huge kick out of pouring some medicine out into the spoon for me to taste. The syringe has a removable push part and that was also highly enjoyed. I got so many shots to the stomach that I am sure I’ll never be sick again.

Visually, this little kit is beautiful, well crafted and totally appealing. There are enough pieces in it for two kids to play with it somewhat peacefully. All of my nitpicking aside, my girl really enjoyed playing with this suitcase full of fun. If someone gave this kit to us, it would be a welcome addition to the collection. But for now, I think I’ll stick with our fabric kit and search for the perfect kit.

Snapshot:
When it says 3 and up, this toy really means 3 and up! The smallest piece is 2.5 in (and that’s not including the tiny little wooden pills). I think 3.5 or 4 is an even better age for this toy.
Made in Germany, this toy has great details and lots of cool wooden pieces to use.
I’m still seeking out the perfect doctor’s kit. This one is good, but not great.

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