Child & adolescent psychiatrists: What do you have in your office for young kids?

[SpongeBob DoctorPants]

I'm trying to get some ideas for toys, books, games, etc. to have in the office for my patients and/or their siblings. Something that would keep a child's interest but not be too noisy or distracting would be nice. What have you found that works well?

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[DD214_DOC]

A basket filled with snakes

 

[Information Underload]

The Melissa & Doug puzzles with 16-pieces with a total of 6 puzzles per puzzle board. Also small wooden shape blocks. Coloring books with washable crayons. A basket filled with snakes would be a close second.


I prefer small things that cannot easily be turned into projectiles but can reasonably be cleaned.

 

[OldPsychDoc]

Video devices pre-loaded with self-hypnotism software.

 

[valid username]

Not a CA but i have 6 kids...bead on wire toys are the most age versatile toys around. You can get the kind that can be kept in a closet like so:

https://www.goedekers.com/Anatex-MN...V_V16WrMOzwDuRjF5g1_zeBJ6ORp8w4YaAiRqEALw_wcB

Or a bigger one if you have space:
Anatex Six Sided Play Cube SSP9047 - Waiting Area Fun

I would try to avoid things with parts, unless you have some ocd/ocdp patients you can schedule in the afternoons

 

[SpongeBob DoctorPants]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Decided to try the six-sided puzzles and those are great. Other things in our office that have worked well include Boogie Boards and a Rubik's Cube. We have coloring books, too, but only a few kids have found interest in those. Unfortunately, the basket of snakes didn't go over very well at all.

 

[SeniorWrangler]

A fish tank is a good child distraction device too, especially if you've got some colorful fish, one of those treasure chest aerators, etc.
Also, goldfish are cheaper than snakes, and buying cheap snakes is worse than having no snakes at all.

 

[erg923]

 

[OldPsychDoc]