Halloween is over and, if you’re anything like me, it’s never too early to start thinking about or even shopping for presents for the upcoming holiday season. K-Mart released its “Fab 15” Hottest Toys for 2013 and I had the opportunity to pick one to receive and review, as well as one of the same item to giveaway. Since our four-year old daughter Abby is a big fan of the TV show Doc McStuffins on Disney Junior, I chose the Disney Doc McStuffins Get Better Check-Up Center.
Abby, like many preschoolers, is really into pretend play. She loves to make meals in her play kitchen and be creative while playing with her dolls and stuffed animals, along with other toys. Though our daughter already had two different doctor kits, they don’t hold a candle to what is included in the Disney Doc McStuffins Get Better Check-Up Center. The center comes with 13 pieces to imagine and play with. From the moment I first showed Abby the box it came in, she was enthralled.
I took notes as we unpacked the Get Better Check-Up Center box and put it together, as I wanted to remember Abby’s first impressions of her new toy. As we began she exclaimed,
“Yay! I can’t wait to see how it works!”
Then, as we took each piece out of the packaging, Abby kept repeating,
“Wow!”
When she would discover a new part to the center, she’d say,
“Wow! What’s this for?!”
At one point, Abby asked to take a look at the directions herself and proclaimed,
“Let me see what we’re missing?!”
This toy is truly fun right out of the box!
When she saw the little white sink, she said,
“I’m gonna wash my hands in this!”
Some of the other comments Abby made as we put it together were,
“This is so cool!”
“It comes with Lambie!”
“Wow! This so cool!”
As she played with the toy phone that comes with the center, while I was assembling other parts, I heard Abby commenting,
“It that a phone?
“Who should I call?”
Then at one point she told me,
“If you need me, I’ll be in the chart room with Lambie!”
After awhile Abby decided she wanted to check out more of her toys with her new Get Better Check-Up Center. So she said,
“I’ll be right back, I’m just going get someone to check out!”
Abby returned with her stuffed animal Curious George, among others, and proceeded to give him an eye exam.
One of my favorite components of the Get Better Check-Up Center is the eye chart, as since our daughter recently got glasses for the first time, it was awesome to watch her pretend play about something she is getting used to in real life. The chart that comes with the center has animals, instead of letters, just like the one at Abby’s eye doctor’s office. Since she can’t read yet, they used that same kind of chart to evaluate her.
As Abby examined George, followed by other dolls and stuffed animals, I heard her say about one,
“I’m going to give pretend glasses. They’ll help her see the animals on the chart better.”
Abby tried to be patient as I finished putting the center together and while waiting she even made up a song, singing, “Put it together!” and “Are you done?” In case you are wondering, it took me about 45 – 60 minutes to assemble it and Abby thinks it was well worth the wait.
Other cool features of the Doc McStuffins Get Better Check-Up Center are the lights and sounds, especially the X-Ray viewer (see picture below). It’s been about a month since we got this and Abby still really enjoys playing with it. Earlier this week she brought home a small pumpkin from preschool and later that day I found her examining the pumpkin at her Get Better Check-Up Center.
There are also other Doc McStuffins toys we’ve found that go along with the Get Better Check-Up Center. Though as I mentioned, Abby already had two doctor kits before we got this, she ended up using a gift card card, that she received for her birthday, to buy the Doc McStuffins Doctor’s Bag Set to use with the center. She has also put other coordinating Doc McStuffins toys on her Christmas Wish List.
If your little one is into Doc McStuffins and/or pretend play in general, the Get Better Check-Up is a lot of fun and worth adding to their Holiday Wish List this year!
Now for the giveaway details!
To enter to win a Disney Doc McStuffins Get Better Check-Up Center:
Leave a comment here between now and Thursday, November 7th letting me know what appeals to you most about the toy and who in your life you will give it to.
Each person may only comment or enter once, but you are welcome to ask family members or friends to enter on your behalf.
I will use the True Random Number Generator on Random.org to pick the winner from the comments on my post here.
The winner will be announced on Friday, November 8th.
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Disclaimer: I received the Disney Doc McStuffins Get Better Check-Up Center as compensation for writing this review, as well as the opportunity to give one away to a reader. However, the opinions expressed here are my own.
Update (11/8/13): Congrats to Lia (comment #55) on winning the Disney Doc McStuffins Get Better Check-Up Center! Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway, shared what appeals to you about the center and who you’d give it to!
{ 58 comments… read them below or add one }
How cute! I love the picture of Abby reading the directions. We’d love one of these, and Noa would be the recipient. She’s very into pretend play these days (though truth be told, her 7 year old brother would probably play with it, too). I love a toy that isn’t so gender-specific!
Justine recently posted..(Skeletons) in my Closet, and Roasted Kale, Sweet Potato, and Toasted Farro Salad with Maple Dressing
Ooh, I want one! What I like most about Doc McStuffins is that she’s black. I am always concerned about my children knowing they can have all types of careers, and an example like this would help. My son is probably too old for it, and my daughter’s too young, but I would save it for her for later.
This toy would be great for my niece Dania! She is 2 and would LOVE this! She was Doc McStuffins for Halloween and she gave us all check ups! I think imaginative play is extremely important for preschool aged children! Role playing is how they process real life situations! Thanks!
I would give this to my son, he is entering in that stage where likes pretend play. I like the fact that this will encourage that.
This toy looks Awesome!! What a great little center for little girls who want to be like Doc. I love that it helps use little kids imaginations. My daughter, Brooklyn, is who I would give this to. She is 3.
This toy has been on my radar! My daughter would LOVE to use it for her toys / dolls. She is 4 and looks so much like Doc. Thanks!
I love this toy and I love the show! It has helped us when we go to the actual doctor because my daughter Kelley remembers things that happened in the show. I like that the toy encourages her to use her imagination when she plays. I would give the toy to her even though I am sure her younger sister would love it as well in about six months!
My daughter Elise is 6, and Doc McStuffins is one of her favorite shows. I like that the toy encourages pretend play, and is more complete than just a doctor kit.
Alexis is 4 and LOVES Doc McStuffins. She too has a doctor kit and LOVES to play “hospital”. She’s actually seen this in the stores and asked for it. I like that it includes more than your standard doctor kit, like the xray…so that Lexi understands there is more to the medical world than blood pressures and shots!
Amy W recently posted..Thoughts
I love when media encourages kids to pursue science 🙂 my kids would love this since they love doctors and doc mcstuffins!
My 3 1/2 yo daughter loves Doc McStuffins and would love this too. She has the doc bag already and gives me and daddy checkups all the time. She listens to our heart and says ‘sounds good!’ Then looks in our mouth and says ‘sounds good!’
My daughter, Olivia talks of nothing but to be a veterinarian. She watches Doc Mc Stuffins daily to practice along with her. She would love to be able to fix all her “friends” at the Get Better Check-Up Center.
My 4-year old son loves Doc McStuffins. I love the fact he saw this toy in a flyer recently and said – I want that! He has asked me a few times if Doc McStuffins is for girls or boys, which I said BOTH of course. After he asked for the toy, he asked me again – is that for girls or boys? I said for BOTH, and it looks really fun too! I love that it could foster his imagination by using all of the little “tools” to fix his stuffed animals, and that it can even be for tough boys too!
Keri recently posted..Best Halloween Ever?
I love Doc McStuffins because Joey doesn’t move the entire 1/2 hour it’s on. That doesn’t make me a bad mother, does it? 😉
Marianne recently posted..Love Like I’ve Never Known
My older son liked Doc McStuffins which was a relief (since we banned a certain yellow sponge and two friends who have a platypus as a sidekick). I can’t wait until Baby G is old enough to be into pretend play (and that is who I would get this for). I love that toys like this teach children life skills (in this case, how to care for another).
On a separate note, I am reading this after being deluged with information on yesterday’s shooting at LAX. The juxtaposition of Abby’s innate and innocent curiosity against the backdrop of the evil perpetrated by a rifle wielding do-badder is a welcome and pure distraction. Yay for all that is good in the world…little girls with curls and glasses and excitement over a brand new toy.
It Is What It Is recently posted..The Time Has Come
Both of my sons are huge fans of Doc McStuffins, what appeals to me about the toy is that it really encourages pretend play, inspires their imaginations and caring natures. We recently purchased the Doc musical cd and its so fantastic because all of the songs have a clear message and its just basically adorable. Also love that this comes with 13 pieces to compliment play!
I love that it encourages imaginative play. I’d love to give this to my daughter if I won.
shelly recently posted..A Night at Disney on Ice presents Let’s Celebrate! #sponsored
This toy is adorable and perfect for my daughter who is also a big Doc McStuffins fan! She has a Doc McStuffins doctor kit and is always giving her toys checkups so this toy would be perfect for her! And might I add, the picture of Abby looking at the instructions is ADORABLE!!!!
I love the X-Ray viewer. My daughter has a Doc McStuffins coat and she’d love to play with this. Thanks!
I like that the toy encourages kids imagination and it would be a great gift for my nieces Thanks
My 3 yo daughter is very much into pretend play and would love this! She would have a blast examining all of her babies.
Our Abby has already requested this, every time she sees a commercial for it! I love how your Abby examined her pumpkin; that’s just the kind of thing ours would do! I can just see her trying to get Kitten to hold still for an exam…good thing she’s a patient cat. We all get our ‘arm pressure’ taken quite often, too. And her toy Boots gets his ‘tail pressure’ checked.
April recently posted..Doings and Things to Come
It seems like a great learning toy, and our daughter loves playing doctor already with her stethoscope!
I love that it seems so complete. It even comes with an eye chart? I would give it to my niece and I’m sure it would provide hours of play for any little kid. Looks like a ton of fun.
Hi Kathy,
Ellie just saw this in the Toys r us ad from today’s paper. I had thought of commenting before, but this am she said, this is what she wants for Christmas. Might as well try for it here! Glad Abby liked it. Ellie really likes Doc and she and her friends have been playing Dr. a ton!
I would give this to my daughter since its the number one thing she has asked for this Christmas! She is obsessed with Doc Mcstuffins. She would be so excited! I really like the lights and sounds, and the x-ray viewer! she would have so much fun with it!
I love that the theme of this toy is around science, learning, and helping others. I think the x ray viewer is pretty unique. Most of all, I love the Doc McStuffins is Black. It’s very important for children to learn about diversity. I would give this to my niece.
My daughter loves Doc McStuffins. She loves the idea of using the Xray and giving check ups to all of her friends!
My two youngest are HUGE DocMcstuffins fans and this would be the perfect Christmas present for them! Doc McStuffins has been a major help for our family as my youngest is very scared of doctors due to a hospital stay when he was younger and since the show came out he has started to relax a bit more when at the doctor.
My kids love Docmcstuffins the tv show. My wife bought them the book of boo boos and the doctor bag earlier this year but this would blow their socks off they would go insane. Hours and hours of play would be had with an amazing toy like this! Thank You for the opportunity to win.
I love pretend play for my little ones, love to see where their imagination takes them. My little 5 year old loves “Doc” she would flip for this toy!
My son and daughter would love this toy for Christmas!
My 3 yr old daughter has been looking through adds and picking out items she would like for Christmas. Though she tends to circle almost all toys, she continues to ask for this specifically when we ask her what she wants for Christmas. She loves playing doctor to her animals (and us) and loves the show. This would be a perfect gift for her.
My daughter fell in love with Doc McStuffins when I started taping the show for her 🙂 She has Williams syndrome so even though she will be 7 next week developmentally she is only about 3. And she has been through a lot of doctors appts and hospital visits so she is VERY into doctor stuff. She loves to pretend and when I found out about this show I knew I had to let her see it! So I really want to get her this for her birthday next week or for Christmas because WS individuals are very caring and if someone is hurt or crying they will try to help them in any way possible 🙂
I would love to give it to my neice who is love with doc and princess Sophia!
I Am Raising My Grandaughter, Who Is 8 Years Old. She Has A Trauma Disorder, Which Ha Put Her A Bit Behind Other Children Her Age.This Is The Only Toy She Has Asked For This Christmas And She Absolutely Loves Doc MucStuffins. M HusbandWas Laid Off 6 Months ago And We Doubt We Will Be Able To Afford It For Her. We Would Be So Grateful To have This Play Set For Her.
My middle two are Doc obsessed! I love the bright colors and all the tools.
My daughter would love this! She is a HUGE Doc fan. I love that it’s so interactive for the kids, and it lets them use their imaginations.
The thing that is most appealing to me is that there is so much to do…. It’s not just a table to give check ups it has so many options. From the sink to the eye chart it looks like kids can really use their imaginations. I would give this to my daughter Ashlynn!
My little Addi (3yrs old) is CRAZY about Doc McStuffins! We watch it everyday and as we watch it she is completing check ups on her own dolls and stuffed animals!
My friend Robin just got her daughter Molly this toy for her birthday and when I showed Addi the pictures of her friend Molly playing with it, she has been insistent that she put this check up center on her Santa list!
Ever since Addi started watching Doc on Disney she is no longer afraid to go to the Doctors office. She used to be so scared and cry the entire visit. Now from the moment she finds out where we are going she starts singing the Doc theme song! I think having a toy like this is great for little ones, to help calm there nerves and anxieties about Doctors visits. Great Idea!
My 5 year-old really enjoys Doc McStuffins. She loves pretend play and has used the Dr. McStuffins doctor kit that she owns (and loves) quite often. I believe this pretend play has eased her anxiety at her pediatrician visits, which is great benefit! As my daughter may outgrow the set quite rapidly, due to her busy kindergarten schedule and less time in the day at home than she used to- If I won it, I would give it to my 2 -and a half year old niece, who would thoroughly enjoy all the great features of this wonderful toy set! She currently has nothing like this set at her home. As a former early childhood educator, I believe every child can and does benefit from pretend play! Thank you.
This looks awesome! It’s something my son has already added to his Christmas list for Santa. He loves Doc McStuffins, one of his faves. LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!
I’m sure Duncan would love playing with this and just after showing them the story Evan was already asking if Duncan would only use it to check his toys or if he’d do check-ups on Evan’s as well. We gave away Evan’s old kitchen so this would be a wonderful alternative for Duncan to be able to use.
This is definitely on Sadie’s Wish List this year. I too love Abby helping and being so excited about each step. 🙂
I love the colors and it looks so cute and both my kids would love this.
I would love to enter my 3 year old daughter Raegan in the drawing. She is a huge Doc McStuffins fan! The most appealing part about this toy is that it is a tool bench for girls. Raegan loves to play doctor and also like to fix things wih her brothers old tools. I think this is a great combination.
I would love to win this toy for my granddaughter! She is a huge Doc McStuffins fan and loves this toy – it’s on her Christmas list!
I want to win this toy for my sweet niece. I know she would have so much fun with it, especially since it has so many components!
What appeals to me most about this toy is how fun it looks to be. I would give this to my great-granddaughter for Christmas if I won.
Since the very first day that Doc McStuffins debuted on the Disney channel, my lil lady Olivia fell in LOVE. If I were to win, I would be giving this awesome check-up center to her =) What appeals to me most about this toy, is everything! I believe that this show has helped my daughter with her check-ups nowadays. I’ve already bought her the Doc McStuffins doctor bag, along with the coat & she just really enjoys giving check-ups to her stuffed animals, myself & recently tried giving check-ups to the baby animals at the pumpkin patches. She loves taking her doctor bag with her in the car almost everywhere we go. This would be such a great toy for her & I know that she would absolutely love & enjoy it on a daily basis.
This would be a perfect for my daughter Olivia who turns 3 on Monday. She loves the show and knows the characters name and already has the check-up bag which go along with the check-up center perfectly.
The Doc Mc Stuffins check up center is an unique toy. Perfect for little ones to join in on the fun. All kids love to play “doctor”. I would love to give my niece this excellent learning toy! Thanks!
My sweet god baby Livi would love this! Thank you for the opportunity!
My beautiful grandaughter Olivia loves Doc McStuffins…….and I know she would love to play with the check-up center and play doctor with her stuffed animals!!
My 2 year old Fiona loves Doc and would be over the moon for this toy. She has a ton of stuffed animals that could use some immediate attention! Love it!!!!
Great Christmas gift.
It looks cool and my son loves stuff like the and his sister would enjoy it to. I love doc stuff.
Congrats to Lia (comment #55) on winning the Disney Doc McStuffins Get Better Check-Up Center! Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway, shared what appeals to you about the center and who you’d give it to!
Kathy recently posted..The Creme & My Top Ten (2013)
Thanks for the great review! I clicked on it out of all the other reviews out there on this product because your daughter is SO ADORABLE (but I may be a little biased since she looks a little bit like my curly-headed 3 year old). Haha! Thanks for posting how much time it took to assemble so I can make sure to delegate that task to her dad (preferably when she’s sleeping). Ha! 🙂