I guess it depends on the child, but so far there hasn't been much playtime with this toy. My 6 year old wanted fluffy bunnies for Christmas so we got this carrier because it was on sale for $5 the week before Christmas (and comes with a pet). I think my 2 year old plays with this toy once a day for a few minutes or so while my 6 year old doesn't. My 2 year old is strong enough to open doors but cannot close them. It's a little difficult. If you have a child who plays with this toy, be sure to keep a close eye on them because if they get a rabid animal near their hair while the wheels are turning, they can easily tangle and pull out the hair (this was a warning ). which came with the toy). You can put the dog into the pet crate through the open top opening, or the dog can run into the pet crate, the door behind the dog will automatically close, then the dog will make a semicircle (when the other door is closed) and go to its bowl with food and water (you have to press on the upper rear dog so that it stops moving, otherwise it will fly over the plate). If you have another door open, the dog will make a circle or two and then run out the other side. Overall this is a very cute toy but I think my girls will like the Melissa and Doug educational toys more. I am sure that when their cousins and friends arrive they will probably have time to play. The stretcher can hold up to two furry maniacs which is a good thing because we have 4 of them. The Frenzie dog that comes with this toy is really adorable (like all Frenzies) and fun, she makes all sorts of cute ones noise and wanders wonderfully over our parquet floors. If it gets stuck, it can (usually) flip over. Makes sleeping, barking and silly noises. To make sounds, press the nose to make it move. press his back several times. To stop him from moving, press his back again.