Kit de doctor

The battery-operated stethoscope is a big hit—my nephew carries it around even when he's not playing doctor. The set has enough tools for his friends to join in without anyone fighting over the pager or cell phone.

My two kids and their friend each grabbed a tool and started “treating” my dog with the stethoscope right away, and the cell phone sounds kept them giggling for a solid hour. The pieces feel sturdy enough for rough play, and having 19 of them means no one fights over who gets the pager.

The pager actually beeps like a real one, which sent my son into giggles every time he pressed it. There are nineteen pieces so three kids can play at once without anyone fighting over a tool, and the stethoscope picks up a heartbeat sound that makes their pretend exams feel oddly legit.