Aquadraw mats - are they fun for your child?

[Bodenbabe]

Are these really good for 2 year olds or are they a bit of a novelty? Do your children like them?

I hope so cos I've bought one for DD!

DS1 had a Thomas one when he was 2 and loved it, especially as Thomas would follow the track he made. Worth the money IMO.

On balance I think I prefer the megasketcher. The problem with the aquadraw is that they take a while to dry and therefore to re-use. Plus the pens so astray a lot.

We got two last Christmas! DD now 2.2 and loves them. Definitely worth the money.

yes, ds is 3.5 and has used his for 18 months or so - really enjoys it.

My 2yo DD loves hers. I like the fact that it's so portable too. Have recently bought some spare pens from Poundland as well. Would highly recommend aquadraw

I found the drying to be too much of a problem - it didn't take long for the child to fill the mat with drawings.

If you haven't got a Megasketcher, I'd choose that instead.... but the Mats are OK for novelty value.

What do you mean about it having to dry? I thought the pictures were there as soon as you drew on them, yes? Does that mean that the picture stays there until the water dries?

Also, does it just reveal a picture underneath or can you draw your own picture?

They are fun but I found that the drying was a pain. Ours comes with a little brush-type thing and small dipping pot. That just results in her tipping the pot upside down and half a day of drying. Now the radiators are on the process is a lot easier.

They are a very good thing to have in a bag for going out - reserved for entertainment whilst waiting for food in a restaurant for example

Good idea about taking to a restaurant - so the mini mats might be better than the big one?

DD (2.10) has a floormat as well as some In the Night Garden mini-mats. She much prefers the mini-mats and revealingly the printed picture to drawing on the floormat with her own "pictures".
The mini-mats are so easy to pop in our bag for use anywhere, particularly in a cafe or restaurant.
The pens do get lost though - I found a few under the front seat of the car when I cleaned it out the other day.

i got a mini mat with my Nectar points (Sainsburrys). My DS is only 1 but he enjoys scribbling on it and i dont worry too much about him putting the pen in his mouth since it is only water.
I think it is a great idea!

Mine like sucking the pens a lot. Yuk.

My children really loved theirs and played with it a lot. I'd say it was one of the most successful toys we ever had.

Probably alright for a 1st child

Once they've had access to an older dc's felt-tip stash it's game-over, IME. NOTHING else will do

Even crayons are given the heave-ho