One of the must-have toy sets in every household with children, a doctor set cannot simply be escaped! Ideal for starting at 2.5 years for pretend play and educating children about medical aid. That is the approximate age when they begin understanding medical care, which in turn helps in reducing those dreadful vaccination visits! Unless your children are at some absurd level of imagination. My kids have made different renditions of the stethoscope (think scuba diving while using oxygen cylinders), which undoubtedly lead to toys being put in the mouth. There are several things one must keep in mind while buying toys for our children, one of the most important being: “Is it safe and free of toxins?”
Regular and easily available doctor sets on amazon are made using cheap, low-quality plastic which are loaded with toxic chemicals such as:
- PVC or Vinyl
Known as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), it is the most toxic chemical for our health and environment. PVC is an endocrine (hormone) disrupting chemical that has been linked to cancerous tumors, birth defects, and other developmental disorders. It can be directly inhaled (while placing toys in the mouth) or through skin contact.
- Phthalates
PVC’s are hard and rigid, which more often than not need plasticizers to make them soft and bendable. So a doctor set will not be made without using phthalates. Phthalates are also known as endocrine disrupting chemicals that mimic and disrupt our hormonal systems and can affect liver, kidneys, lungs, and reproductive system.
- Lead
Non visible and odorless , lead is extensively used in the colors of doctor sets. Lead is a known neurotoxin which, when ingested, can cause nerve damage, learning and behavioral problems, reproductive damage and irreversible brain damage.
With that discomforting thought, I set out to look for alternate non-toxic doctor sets which were made of natural materials, devout of any chemicals or toxic paints.
Here are my top 5 picks of Safe Doctor sets by Indian brands that your child should ideally be playing with.(Click on the link to buy)
Warning: my opinion is non-influenced & unbiased 😉
Wooden Medical Set: Shumee Toys
Simple with not too much drama, this medical set is ideal for teaching your children about medical safety and first aid. Comes in an easy to carry zipper bag and is made of child-safe materials and colors. Slightly low on variety, but so is the price 🙂
Felt Doctor Set: Chubby Cheeks
For the littlest of them all, this felt activity doctor set is apt to get their imagination rolling. Try this 15 piece set, complete with an appropriate bag, from as early as 18 months. (I think this brand is my latest amazing discovery for our early little learners)
Little Doc Set: Aatike
Simple, cute, to the point. Love it for the minimal use of color, consequently being more natural and safe. Unfortunately this one is currently out of stock, but I have mentioned it because they are stocking up soon. Will repost once its available.
Wooden Toy Doctor Set: Eduspark Toys
This set is loaded with variety, and comes super handy to keep the children busy in their make shift hospital! All the items are made from organic rubber wood, water-based dyes, recycled materials and water-based ink.
Wooden Medicine Box: Wufiy
As close as it can get to a real medicine box! Love the addition of wooden dentures 😉 absolutely safe, chemical-free and made of non-toxic colors and paints.
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