Doc McStuffins Pet Vet Checkup Center
In February this past year, I got a sneak preview of the Doc McStuffins Pet Vet Checkup Center and I was not surprised to see it in the toy line up for 2015; considering that the new Doc McStuffins new Pet Vet episodes had recently launched at that time. I knew it was going to be another Holiday Gift Guide favorite in 2015, and (fast forwarding a few months) and it sure is. Including getting placement in my own 2015 Holiday Gift Guide with the Top Toys 2015, and in the Top 20 toys for 2015 by The Toy Insider!
Yet, why did I (and others) gift it such a ranking? For me, it was because of the features and the tremendous play value. If you already have the original checkup center, maybe you don’t need this one. Unless your little Doc loves all things furry, which is my 3 year old daughter. She loves to give checkups to us (using her Doc McStuffins Doctor’s Bag
) and to her stuffed animals, using her Doc McStuffins Mobile
, but I know the Pet Vet Center will have a place in her doc rotations, because she will love to give her faux furry friends their own checkups in their special spot.For us, it is a key toy because we have pets of our own, and the kids see me bring our two dogs to the vet all the time. Add to the fact they watch the show and love their stuffed toy dogs, cats and birds, this will be a winner in our house this holiday season, even if they already have some Doc related checkup toys.
The features of the Doc McStuffins Pet Vet Checkup Center
is Doc’s pet friend Findo, (though I keep wanting to say Fido) who is included and ready for his checkup! Kids can slide in multiple play x-rays to activate lights and sounds, use the scale to weigh animals with a removable basket (it actually works), and give them a bath with a pretend water sprayer. The Pet Vet Checkup Center is also equipped with an electronic stethoscope, kid-powered EKG, otoscope, play thermometer, brush and bandage sticker dispenser to fix boo boos. The patients can get a special treat after their checkup from the pet treat dispenser.After getting a complementary copy for a review, it took me about 45 minutes to put it together, and that is with not much focus, so it’ll probably only take 30 minutes to put it all together. The directions were easy to follow. Huge bonus in my book, and you don’t need tools to put it together. Needless to say, this toy needs batteries (luckily, only 2 AAs and one screwdriver to unscrew the battery compartment), but it makes sense based on interactive and responsive features. That said, the features don’t go overboard. There’s enough non-electronic components that kids can use their own imagination. Yet, there is enough to enhance their imaginative play. It is a good balance in my opinion.
The age range is 18 months to 6 years, but the sweet spot in my thoughts is for 3 year olds. While there is pink within the product, it is only accents, so it is a better fit than the original checkup center, in that it is mostly green/teal so boys may feel more comfortable in playing with it too. The dimensions are 20 inches from the floor to the play surface and a total of 36 inches tall if you count the back. It’s about 11.5 inches deep and about 21 inches in length, side to side, to give you a sense of how it will work with the height of your child.
The toy costs around $80 (though you can find specials at ToysRUs and the like for about $60). So the ultimate question you may be asking yourself is, “Is it worth it.” In my opinion, the answer is yes. There is a lot of play value. Even if your kids have not seen a Doc McStuffins episode, but still love to play doctor (or in this case, pretend veterinarian) then you’ll get plenty of playtime with this! Even if they already own some of the other Doc McStuffins Checkup toys, this is a fun and valuable addition too!
Have any questions about it? Let me know in the comments below and I will respond! Then check out my Disney Junior Outfit ideas on how to dress like Doc McStuffins from the clothes in your closet!
