In honor of National Doctors’ Day (March 30) and National Dentist’s Day (March 6), the Melissa & Doug team wants to help parents make checkups go smoother with play ideas, tips, and more as part of our "Ready, Set . . . Checkup!" campaign. It's play with a purpose!
Doctor visits are an important part of growing up—but that doesn’t always mean they feel easy for little ones. New rooms, unfamiliar tools, and unexpected sensations can bring up big feelings. The good news? A little thoughtful preparation can help transform uncertainty into confidence.
How? Start by making the unknown feel more familiar. Describe what the exam room might look like, who they’ll meet (like nurses or pediatricians), and some of the things that might happen—having their height and weight measured, listening to their heartbeat, or getting their ears checked. When kids can picture the experience ahead of time, it helps them feel more secure and capable. Instead of walking in unsure, they walk in with a sense of “I’ve got this.”
You can also build confidence through hands-on play. Try acting out a checkup at home—take turns being the doctor and the patient, “check” heartbeats, wrap pretend bandages, and practice saying “ahh.” If you’re able to stop by the doctor’s office before an appointment to say hello or see the space, that can help too. Whether you visit in person or create your own mini clinic in the playroom, playful practice helps kids process the experience in a way that feels safe, empowering, and even fun.
Read on to get some tips, suggestions, and play ideas that will help your child thrive at their next doctor or dentist visit—it’s time for Ready, Set…Checkup. You can get started by downloading our FREE Doctor Search & Find printable activity for kids—can your little one find all the different features between two similar doctor pictures? Download yours now!
Getting Your Child Ready for Doctor Checkups
Parents and caregivers can find additional resources to help prepare their child for their doctor visit; the KidsHealth.org website has a dedicated page with helpful tips and advice to prepare your child for their checkups. Here are some highlights from their page:
• Common concerns: Kids may worry their parents won’t be in the exam room; they can feel fearful that something during the exam will hurt, like a vaccination shot; or have stranger distress upon meeting their new doctor.
• Talk about it: Encourage your child to talk about any negative feelings so you can address their concerns and help them process their emotions.
• Read about it: There are plenty of children’s books available that can also help prepare for doctor visits; a little story time together can go a long way to alleviating any negative emotions.
• Play it out: This is where pretend play comes in. You can role play the upcoming doctor visit with your child and take them through the steps: pretend to put a blood pressure cuff on the arm; examine their mouth, eyes, and ears; listen to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope, etc.
The Get Well Doctor’s Kit Play Set is the perfect pretend play toy to help you role play a doctor visit with your child beforehand.
Play Ideas to Get Ready for Doctor Visits
Pretend play for kids means practicing for real-world events. Before your child ever goes to the doctor or dentist, make a play date with them at home that will help ease any uncomfortable emotions they may be experiencing before their check-ups.
1. Model Healthy Habits at Home
Young kids copy the behavior that they see at home every day, so try to practice healthy habits of your own, and be sure to include your child. Create a family activity habit like going for walks, playing outside before dinner, or taking up a new activity for fun.
2. Pretend Play Your Check-Up
Use our Get Well Doctor’s Kit Play Set and make a play date with your little one to role-play arriving at the doctor, checking in, and sitting in the exam room. Explain what will happen step by step in a friendly, playful way: “The doctor will shine a light into your eyes, ears, and mouth to take a look. They’ll use a cuff to measure your blood pressure; they’ll listen to your heart with a stethoscope; they’ll weigh you and measure your height. You might have to give blood, or get a shot, too. But I’ll be with you, and you can hold my hand.”
3. Get to Know the Doctor's Office
Use our FREE Melissa & Doug printable activity for kids to help explain their checkup visit. Can your little one spot the differences between two similar doctor’s offices? Download your FREE Doctor Differences printable activity sheet now!
4. Recognize Their Bravery
After a successful doctor visit, print out this free certificate to recognize their bravery and commemorate the milestone!
Pretend Play Doctor & Dental Toys
Melissa & Doug curated a thoughtful selection of pretend play toys that can help your child get ready for their doctor and dentist check-ups through play.
Get Well Doctor's Kit Play Set
The doctor will see you now! The 25-piece Melissa & Doug Get Well Doctor's Kit Play Set offers realistic accessories that let little doctors help patients get well! The play set is a fun and engaging way to ease any feelings of stress associated with a visit to the doctor and to encourage nurturing and empathetic play.
Get Well Doctor Activity Center
This sturdy, multi-sided wooden play space has everything kids need to role play visits to the doctor’s office! It’s a great way to ease kids’ fears about doctor visits and to encourage nurturing and empathetic play.
The doctor will see you now! This role play outfit has everything an aspiring doctor needs to check up on their patients and fix their boo-boos.
Pediatric Nurse Role Play Costume Set
This pediatric-nurse play set has everything little nurses need to take care of a newborn baby--including the baby!
Smile, the dentist will see you now! This 25-piece dental care play set features an over-sized set of pretend teeth so young dentists-in-training can give cleanings, treat cavities, and even fit retainers and braces! The play set is a fun and engaging way to teach good dental health practices, and to ease kids’ fears or feelings of stress associated with a visit to the dentist.
Now that you're ready for doctor visits, get kids brushed up for their next dental visit here!
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Toy Spotlight: Get Well Doctor Activity Center Blog Post
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Download FREE Doctors' Day Printable Activities for Kids
