A must have for all little Disney Princesses (Tomy Cinderella Aquadraw)

Member Name: karalouk

Product:	Tomy Cinderella Aquadraw
Date:	05/04/09 (252 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fun, unique, creative, mess free

Disadvantages: Slightly expensive, doesn't include batteries

I suggested to the grandparents to get my daughter the Tomy Cinderella Aquadraw for her 2nd birthday after noticing her ooh'ing and ahh'ing at the advert every time it came on TV!

My mum brought it from Argos for £29.31, you can also purchase it from around the same price at all good toy shops.

The Cinderella Aquadraw comes in quite a large but not heavy cardboard box which is decorated very pink, pretty and eye catching.

The mat is 105 cm x 90cm which is quite big (not huge) and requires a fair amount of floor space. It has a border around the outside of it. The border is really girlie and Cinderella themed. It has beads, ribbons, hearts, glass slippers, horses, cotton reels and balls of wool on it. The mat itself (on which you draw on) is white with a slight light pink tint.

There are 2 writing accessories for the mat - one is a water pen and one is a water roller. They are both made from plastic and can be easily unscrewed to pour small amounts of water inside. Once they are both filled with water they are ready to use. Neither of them leak or spill which makes a nice change. The pen draws and writes whatever you desire, the roller is used to make a trail made from stars. The water also seems to last a while until it needs refilling.

A plastic toy of Cinderella and Prince Charming is also included. The toy requires 2 x AA batteries, which aren't included. Cinderella is wearing her beautiful trademark blue dress and Prince Charming is wearing red trousers and smart blue and yellow jacket - they are facing each other and holding one hand as if they are dancing together. The base of the toy has wheels on and some sort of sensor with 3 little metal prongs on. It also has an on and off switch.

Once the water pen hits the mat it turns bright pink. It looks just like it would if you got a bright pink pen and went over it. The same applies to the stamping roller which creates a trail of pink stars at it goes. To use Cinderella and Prince Charming on the mat, just flick the button to 'on' and place it on the trail of stars which has been made. The toy automatically picks up the trail and follows it. Cinderella and Prince charming spin in circles along the trail and appear to be dancing. If they lose the trail (if the trail is broken or fading) then the toy turns itself around and follows the trail back the way it came. I have no idea how it works so please don't ask! It just seems so clever. Once the toy has been turned on it plays a fairytale ballroom type of music which is really sweet and not too loud or annoying for adults. It is slightly repetative though! If the toy gets puts on the mat without a trail to follow then it just glides around the mat in circular motions.

There is no need to clean the mat off as the drawings just dissapear within around 5 or 10 minutes when the water has dried up, which makes space for more drawing.

Although the mat is quite big, it is really lightweight and can be folded up small which is really good for storing and travelling with. The whole thing is totally easy to wipe clean too.

When she opened her present she was so pleased and realised what it was straight away. This was also the one present which she and her cousin chose to play with throughout the rest of the day. She has also been having lots of fun with it by herself since.

The great thing about Aquadraw is not only is it fun and unique but it is completley mess free. It is recommended for 3 + years. I hope and am quite convinced that this is one of her toys that will stand the test of time.

Summary: Slightly expensive but money well spent I say.