Tomy Rainbow Aquadraw (Tomy Rainbow Aquadraw)

Member Name: jacqueline101

Product:	Tomy Rainbow Aquadraw
Date:	08/07/08 (73 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: No mess, mat is a good size

Disadvantages: The pictures fade away when dry

My husband bought the Tomy Rainbow Aquadraw for our daughter's first birthday, just before last Christmas. It cost around £25.00 from Woolworths, and is also available from other retailers, such as Argos. It is suitable for children from eighteen months and upwards. We didn't use it that much at first, as our daughter was a bit too young for it, but when she got to around fourteen months, she started to be able to grasp the pens and also crayons. Now, she is almost nineteen months old, and has started to enjoy using it much more. We also have a set of chunky crayons, which she likes, but tends to take bites out of, as well as drawing on the furniture. I don't mind mess, but we live in a small flat with limited space, so the Aquadraw seems to be a useful activity to have on hand, in addition to other toys.

The mat measures 80x95cms, and consists of two layers. The upper layer is made of 65% polyester and 35% cotton, and the waterproof backing is made of 100% EVA. It must not be washed or tumble dried, only sponge cleaned. The box contains the mat, two water pens, three stampers, a drawing brush and a water pot. The pens can be used on their own, or you can attach the stampers to them to print shapes (a cloud, star and raindrops) onto the mat. The small purple water pot is used with the drawing brush to create curves and wavy lines.

The mat is white in the middle, with a border showing pictures of butterflies, birds, balloons, a rainbow, watering can, a cloud and the sun. When you draw on the white part, the rainbow colours start to show through. There is quite a large area for drawing, and it allows for creativity, as children can draw their own pictures. My daughter tends to scribble with the pens at the moment, and tips the water pot over the mat, but I think that this toy will last for a while, and will be used until around the age of about three years. I think that it is good for toddlers, who put most things to their mouths, as the water will not harm them. For older children, it is good to use along with other activities, such as, painting and drawing with crayons and felt-tip pens. I have read some reviews of the mini mats, too, and am thinking about getting a set for travelling (a long train journey and staying in a hotel) as I'm not keen on crayon and pen marks being left in those places.
Overall, I think that the Aquadraw Rainbow is a good activity for toddlers and young children, when used along with other creative play and activities. It can be used many times, as the pictures dry, leaving a blank canvas to be drawn on again.

Summary: Good fun for young children