fun painting without the mess! (Tomy & Friends Aquadraw)

Member Name: kingfisher111

Product:	Tomy & Friends Aquadraw
Date:	18/08/06 (143 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: mess free, easy to use

Disadvantages: if you lose the pens you can't use it!

I was really pleased when I discovered the Tomy aquadraw. It states that you can draw magic water pictures and it's true and there's no mess!

You are provided with a large drawing mat which measures 90cm by 90 cm so you do need a large table or a bit of floor space to use it! The mat has lots of stimulating pictures around the outside in alphabetical order as well as all the letters and numbers. Children can practice their numbers and counting skills and learn their A, B, C while tracing over these.

There are two special pens provided. These need to be filled with water and then as the children start to draw on the mat, their images appear before their eyes - like magic! Because there are two pens they can interact with another child while they are drawing which makes it a good social expereince. We did lose the pens for a while though which meant that we could not draw on the mat. I haven't found out whether it is possible to buy spare pens.

Children can also use their hands and feet to make patterns and impressions once they have got them wet so it's great for those children who like messing about with water.I assume there is some particular preparation applied to the mat to allow it to work but they do not say what it is on the box.

I think the main advantage is that there is absolutely no mess and when they have finished it can just be put back in their box.

However, one disadvantage is that the drawings fade within about fifteen minutes so it is impossible for the children to save their precious artwork.

It costs round about £20 so will not break the bank!

I have two little girls aged three and seventeen months. My eldest has really enjoyed using the aquadraw for a while and my youngest is just starting to take an interest. It does state that it is for 18month+ on the box though so I do have to be careful with the younger one.

Summary: a lovely interactive toy that is mess free!